MX23RW : Monday, April 29 10:14:02| >> :600:1083515:1083515:
[monks data]
PAOK
Europa Conference League | Group Stage
Oct 5, 2023 at 8pm UK
Stadio Toumbas
Eintracht Frankfurt logo

PAOK
2 - 1
Frankfurt

Zivkovic (28'), Koulierakis (90+2')
Meite (90+3')
Meite (90+6')
FT(HT: 1-0)
Marmoush (68')
Nkounkou (43')
Trapp (90+6')

Preview: PAOK vs. Eintracht Frankfurt - prediction, team news, lineups

Sports Mole previews Thursday's Europa Conference League clash between PAOK and Eintracht Frankfurt, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

PAOK and Eintracht Frankfurt will face off on Thursday, with both sides looking to begin their Europa League Conference group-stage campaign with consecutive victories.

The hosts got the better of Finnish outfit HJK on matchday one, while Frankfurt edged out Scottish Premiership side Aberdeen.


Match preview

PAOK coach Razvan Lucescu on March 17, 2022© Reuters

PAOK negotiated three qualifying round ties against Beitar Jerusalem, Hajdunk Split and Hearts to seal their place in the group stage.

Razvan Lucescu's side began their second appearance in the Europa Conference League main draw with an entertaining 3-2 away victory over HJK following goals from Konstantinos Koulierakis, Kiril Despodov and Brandon Thomas.

That result has helped PAOK put together a five-game unbeaten run in all competitions, including Sunday's 2-2 draw with rivals Panathinaikos, where they were made to settle for a share of the spoils despite taking the lead on two occasions.

After conceding a 96th-minute equaliser at the weekend, PAOK will have to pick themselves for their first meeting with Frankfurt since 1982 when they lost out on penalties in the now-defunct Cup Winners' Cup.

Having avoided defeat in all 13 of their competitive home matches this season, PAOK will be confident about their chances of claiming at least a point from Thursday's contest.

Eintracht Frankfurt coach Dino Toppmoller reacts on September 21, 2023© Reuters

After spending the last two seasons competing in the Europa League and Champions League, Frankfurt have had to settle for a place in the Europa Conference League following their seventh-placed finish in the Bundesliga.

Die Adler secured their place in the main draw with a 3-1 aggregate win against Levski Sofia, before they beat Aberdeen 2-1 in their group opener thanks to an Omar Marmoush penalty and a Robin Koch effort.

That narrow victory helped Dino Toppmoller begin his tenure with a nine-game unbeaten run, which was brought to an end by Saturday's 2-0 defeat to Wolfsburg in a game where Frankfurt played the final 30 minutes with 10 men following Mario Gotze's red card.

As a result of the league defeat, Frankfurt will travel to Greece without a victory in their last four competitive away matches (D3, L1).

Having failed to score more than one goal in any of those four away matches, Frankfurt will need to improve in the final third if they are to return home with maximum points from Thursday's encounter.

PAOK Europa Conference League form:


PAOK form (all competitions):


Eintracht Frankfurt Europa Conference League form:


Eintracht Frankfurt form (all competitions):



Team News

Eintracht Frankfurt's Sebastian Rode walks off the pitch after being substituted after sustaining an injury on September 21, 2023© Reuters

The hosts are unable to call upon the service of Marcos Antonio and Filipe Soares, who remain sidelined with their respective injury issues.

After having to settle for substitute appearances in PAOK's last two matches, Despodov could return to the side for Thursday's contest.

Thomas Murg is also likely to come back into the starting lineup after playing 74 minutes against HJK in PAOK's opening group game.

Meanwhile, Frankfurt will travel to Greece without the injured trio of Sebastian Rode, Simon Simoni and Mehdi Loune, while Argentine forward Lucas Alario is a doubt.

Toppmoller could make a couple of changes to the lineup, with Hrvoje Smolcic and Niels Nkoukou in contention to start against PAOK.

Gotze featured as a substitute against Aberdeen on matchday one, but with the 31-year-old ruled out of Sunday's league match with Hoffenheim through suspension, he is set to be included in the starting lineup for Thursday's encounter.


PAOK possible starting lineup:
Kotarski; Kedziora, Troost-Ekong, Koulierakis, Baba; Schwab, Tsingaras; Zivkovic, Murg, Despodov; Brandon

Eintracht Frankfurt possible starting lineup:
Trapp; Smolcic, Koch, Pacho; Buta, Larsson, Skhiri, Nkounkou; Chaibi, Gotze, Marmoush


SM words green background

We say: PAOK 1-1 Eintracht Frankfurt

Frankfurt have struggled to pick up victories on their travels this season, and with three of their last four away games finishing all square, we think that they will be held to another draw in Thursday's away trip.



For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.




ID:525610:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect12805:

Previews by email

Click here to get Sports Mole's daily email of previews and predictions for every major game!


Game History

How you voted: PAOK vs Frankfurt

PAOK
38.0%
Draw
33.8%
Eintracht Frankfurt
28.2%
71
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery reacts on July 15, 2023
Read Next:
Aston Villa handed AZ Alkmaar test in Europa Conference League
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free daily transfer newsletter! Sent twice a day during the transfer window.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS

Group A

TeamPWDLPTS
QLille642014
QSlovan Bratislava631210
3Ljubljana62046
4KI61144

Group B

TeamPWDLPTS
QM. Tel Aviv650115
QGent641113
3Luhansk62137
4Breidablik60060

Group C

TeamPWDLPTS
QPlzen660018
QDinamo Zagreb63039
3Astana61144
4KF Ballkani61144

Group D

TeamPWDLPTS
QBrugge651016
QBodo/Glimt631210
3Besiktas61144
4Lugano61144

Group E

TeamPWDLPTS
QAston Villa641113
QLegia640212
3AZ62046
4Zrinjski Mostar61144

Group F

TeamPWDLPTS
QFiorentina633012
QFerencvaros624010
3Genk62319
4Cukaricki60060

Group G

TeamPWDLPTS
QPAOK651016
QFrankfurt63039
3Aberdeen61326
4HJK Helsinki60242

Group H

TeamPWDLPTS
QFenerbahce640212
QLudogorets640212
3Nordsjaelland631210
4Spartak Trnava60151


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!