Comments, predictions Galatasaray vs PAOK: Stormy trip

With both teams aiming to kick off their group stage campaigns with all three points, Galatasaray and PAOK will face off at Adams Park on Wednesday in the first round of fixtures of the 2024-25 Europa League.

Home side Galatasaray were relegated to the competition after being eliminated in the Champions League qualifying play-off round, while visitors PAOK qualified with a 6-0 aggregate win in the Europa League play-off round.

Latest Galatasaray vs PAOK team information

Galatasaray will be without their first-choice goalkeeper for their opening Europa League group stage games after Fernando Muslera was sent off in the 87th minute of their 1-0 second-leg defeat to Young Boys in the Champions League play-off round.

33-year-old goalkeeper Gunay Guvenc was brought on to replace Muslera in the final minutes of that match, and the veteran is expected to start on Wednesday.

Osimhen is still searching for his first goal in a Galatasaray shirt, although he has two assists in his two appearances, and the world-class striker is expected to start.

A similar line-up to the 3-1 win over Fenerbahce is expected to be fielded, with Gabriel Sara partnering Lucas Torreira in defensive midfield, and Dries Mertens playing in a more advanced role.

As for PAOK, they are likely to be without three players due to various injury issues, with Andrija Zivkovic (hip), Antonis Tsiftsis (stomach), and Brandon (ankle) all expected to miss out.

Elsewhere, a similar line-up to the 4-1 win over Volos last weekend is likely to be in place, with top scorer Stefan Schwab partnering Mady Camara in midfield.

Latest predicted lineup Galatasaray vs PAOK

Galatasaray:

Guvenc; Ayhan, Sanchez, Bardakci, Jakobs; Torreira, Sara; Yilmaz, Mertens, Akgun; Osimhen

PAOK:

Kotarski; Sastre, Colley, Kedziora, Baba; Camara, Schwab; Despodov, Murg, Taison; Tissoudali

Latest Galatasaray vs PAOK football prediction

After winning two consecutive Turkish Super Lig titles and setting a record as the first Turkish team to reach 100 points, finishing with 102 points last year, Galatasaray will be aiming for more success this season.

Okan Buruk's side failed to get off to the desired start to the 2024-25 season, suffering a heavy 0-5 defeat to Besiktas in their opening match of the campaign in the Turkish Super Kupa.

However, Galatasaray quickly regained their excellent form, winning all 6 of their first domestic matches, thereby quickly creating a 5-point gap at the top of the rankings.

Unfortunately for Buruk, they could not maintain their domestic form as they lost 4-2 on aggregate to Young Boys in the Champions League play-off round, forcing them to play in Europe's second-tier competition.

Despite the elimination, this could turn out to be a blessing in disguise for Galatasaray, as they have a star-studded squad, including surprise summer loan signing Victor Osimhen, which could help them progress further in the tournament.

With four consecutive wins, including a 3-1 win over Fenerbahce, Galatasaray will be full of confidence as they prepare for their group stage opener against PAOK.

However, their Greek opponents will not be easily defeated, as PAOK enter this match with just one loss in their last 16 official matches in all competitions.

That defeat came on a bitter note for Razvan Lucescu's side, as they lost 4-3 after extra time in their Champions League third qualifying round tie against Malmo.

PAOK led 3-2 in the final minutes but were equalized in stoppage time, forcing the match into extra time, where they conceded a decisive goal in the 99th minute, resulting in a 6-5 defeat on aggregate and relegation to the Europa League.

Like Galatasaray, PAOK bounced back from that painful defeat, winning six of their next seven games, including a 6-0 win over Shamrock Rovers to secure Europa League qualification.

PAOK will be looking to get their group stage off to a flying start as they attempt to reach the Europa League knockout stages for the first time since 2016-17, when they were beaten 4-1 by Schalke 04 in the last 32. Both teams are in good form, but Galatasaray are strong at home and that advantage will be expected to help them secure all three points.

Galatasaray vs PAOK score prediction

Based on the above football comments, we and the world's leading football sites have given the following results for the Galatasaray vs PAOK match:

• Sportsmole: Galatasaray 3-1 PAOK

• WhoScore: Galatasaray 2-0 PAOK
• Our prediction: Galatasaray 3-1 PAOK

When and where to watch Galatasaray vs PAOK live?

To watch the Galatasaray vs PAOK match live in the Europa League at 2:00 a.m. on September 26, viewers can watch it on K+ Sport here or online sports channels. Wishing you happy football watching moments.

Source: https://baodaknong.vn/nhan-dinh-du-doan-galatasaray-vs-paok-chuyen-di-bao-tap-230080.html