Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Galatasaray
Match Time & Date:
25/09/2024
12:00 PM
Prediction: 2-1
PAOK
High-flying Galatasaray will look to build on a 3-1 win over Fenerbahce when they take on PAOK in their Europa League opener. Despite failing to find the net in the Turkish Super Lig derby, summer signing Victor Osimhen will be the man to watch in the home team, while goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is banned for the match. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team ahead of the visit of PAOK.
The Black and Whites, on the other hand, rolled over Volos 4-1 in their last league game, but they will have a much bigger fish to fry against Galatasaray, who made a flying start to the new Super Lig campaign. Speaking of the visiting team, winger Andrija Zivkovic is major doubt after missing the last league match. It has to be noted that Galatasaray and PAOK have never met before in the Europa League.
Highlighted Player (Kaan Ayhan):
The Turkish-German defender, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, started playing football in his hometown, Gelsenkirchen, for the Schalke 04 youth academy when he was only four years old, in 1999. He signed his first professional contract in January 2018, but had to wait for his debut for almost two years.
Ayhan substituted Adam Szalai in the 4-1 win against Augsburg, on 5th October 2013. His first goal for Die Königsblauen came on May 2014, in a 2-0 win against SC Freiburg. However, the 23-year-old had to look for regular game time elsewhere, so he joined Eintracht Frankfurt on a loan deal. Despite the fact that there was an option of a permanent signing of the Turkish player, Eintracht decided not to use it, since the price was too demanding.
After 17 years at Schalke, Kaan Ayhan joined Fortuna Dusseldorf on August 2016. Even though he played both for Turkey and Germany junior national teams, the center-back decided to pledge his allegiance to Turkey, recording his debut for the Turkish senior team on August 2016, under the famous Fatih Terim.
Highlighted Team (PAOK):
PAOK are regarded as one of the most famous clubs in Greece. The club’s biggest rivals are Olympiakos, but they have a great rivalry with local rivals Aris as well. The Double-headed eagle play their home games at Toumba Stadion Thessaloniki and the capacity of the venue is 28 803.
PAOK are a real force to be reckoned with at home, but they often struggle when playing on the travels. The club won their first Greek Superleague title in 1976 and nine years later their clinched their second domestic trophy, finishing the season three points clear of Panathinaikos.
Speaking of the club’s European success, the Black and Whites made it to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1973/1974 season, but they were outplayed by Italian giants Milan in the two-legged tie. PAOK were founded on 20 April, 1926 and they play their home games in black and white shirts and black shorts. The club’s away colours are white.
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