The Matchday 1 encounter of the 2025/26 Europa League group stage between PAOK (Greece) and Maccabi Tel Aviv (Israel) will take place on September 24 at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. PAOK vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
PAOK
The team has already progressed through two stages in this Europa League. Both matches against Wolfsberg ended 0-0 after 90 minutes, and a single goal in extra time advanced Razvan Lucescu's side to face Rijeka. PAOK proved stronger than the Croatians (0-1, 5-0), and for the second consecutive season, the club has reached the main stage of the Europa League. In the previous tournament, the Greeks finished 22nd and were eliminated in the first playoff round. Notably, the victory over Rijeka in the second leg ended a six-match winless streak in regular time in the Europa League (2 draws, 4 losses).
- In 5 of their last 7 Europa League matches, the Greeks failed to score against their opponents.
- At home in this tournament, the team has not lost in 5 of their last 6 fixtures (3 wins, 2 draws).
- In 4 of their last 5 home games in the Europa League, PAOK did not concede a single goal.
Predicted lineup for PAOK (4-5-1)
Jiri Pavlenka – Abdul Rahman Baba, Tomasz Kedziora, Joan Sastre, Dejan Lovren – Andrija Zivkovic, Magomed Ozdoev, Dimitris Pelkas, Soualiho Meite, Taison – Georgios Giakoumakis.
Maccabi Tel Aviv
The Israelis have also progressed through two stages. Zarko Lazetic's side defeated Hamrun in both encounters (2-1, 3-1), while the matches against Dynamo Kyiv were more challenging – 3-1, 0-1. In the previous season, Maccabi had a disappointing group stage in the Europa League, collecting just 6 points and finishing 29th. The club's best achievement in this tournament is reaching the round of 32. Additionally, the team has shown uncompromising results in the Europa League: in their last 19 matches, they have 10 wins and 9 losses.
- Both teams scored in 6 of Maccabi's last 8 Europa League matches.
- The team has conceded in 13 consecutive matches in this tournament.
- In 6 of their last 8 away games in the Europa League, the club has scored at least one goal.
Predicted lineup for Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-5-1)
Roy Mishpati – Mohamed Ali Camara, Roy Revivo, Raz Shlomo, Tyrese Asante – Ido Shahar, Dor Peretz, Issouf Sissoko, Kerwin Andrade, Oskar Davida – Ion Nicolaescu.
Referee
Sven Jablonski (Germany)
Matches – 9 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 34;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.8;
Red cards shown – 1;
Average fouls per match – 16;
Penalties – 11%.
Match Prediction: PAOK vs. Maccabi Tel Aviv
Greek teams traditionally perform well at home, and Razvan Lucescu's side is no exception. At home, the club has not lost in 10 of their last 12 Europa League matches (6 wins, 4 draws). It's important to note that PAOK conceded more than one goal in only three of these matches, while they kept a clean sheet in six. In the current qualification, the Greeks have conceded just one goal.
Maccabi showed weak away results in the previous tournament, losing 3 of 4 matches. They managed to defeat only Besiktas, who failed to reach the playoffs. Zarko Lazetic's side also had difficult away encounters in the 2025/26 Europa League qualifiers. They lost to Dynamo Kyiv and narrowly defeated Hamrun thanks to a stoppage-time goal. Although the club scores regularly on the road, they do not demonstrate high-scoring performances: in 7 of their last 11 Europa League matches, Maccabi scored a maximum of one goal.
Considering these facts, my prediction: PAOK will not lose and Total under 3.5 goals
