Lille and PAOK clash heads in the third round of UEFA Europa League fixtures in their bid to win maximum points at Stade Pierre-Mauroy on Thursday, 23 October.
Keep close tabs on UEFA Europa League predictions after viewing our key Lille vs PAOK tips below.
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Lille vs PAOK prediction: Home victory on the cards
Key stats
- Lille are undefeated in three successive competitive outings (W2, D1).
- Les Dogues have failed to win back-to-back fixtures at home (D1, L1).
- PAOK are winless in three of their last four games (D1, L2).
- The Dikefalos have tasted seven defeats from their last eight away UEFA games.
Correct score prediction: Lille 2-1 PAOK
After back-to-back wins in the opening two UEL fixtures against Roma and Brann respectively, Lille will be looking to take it up a notch with a third successive European victory. Bruno Genesio’s men arrive into this clash on the back of a 2-0 win over Nantes, as do PAOK, who beat AEK Athens in their domestic league.
The Dikefalos are still in search of their maiden UEL win this term, having drawn first with Maccabi Tel Aviv, before Celta Vigo shipped three past the Greeks. Sitting on top of the Greek Super League table, the visitors must now channel their energy towards Europe.
However, Lille’s home advantage coupled with their potent form could play spoilsport for Razvan Lucescu’s side in the north of France.
Pre-game odds and win probability: Home favourites
- HOME: 11/20 (1.55) – 64.5%
- DRAW: 18/5 (4.60) – 21.7%
- AWAY: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
Lille have opened the scoring in both their UEL games this season, and doing so again should provide them enough momentum to grab a win. They are priced a 3/5 (1.60) – implying a 62.5% chance of success.
Like the bookies, we expect PAOK to struggle in this contest against an in-form Lille. The visitors are backed by relatively miniscule odds of 9/2 (5.50), giving them a 18.18% probability of returning home with a victory.
Don’t forget to check out more of our football betting tips page after analysing our Lille vs PAOK predictions.
Most recent H2Hs: Maiden encounter
The two teams have never met before. However, French sides have been dominant in fixtures against sides from Greece, winning their last nine encounters in UEL.
Lille preview: Third straight UEL win?
With only two teams beating Lille this term, Genesio will be confident of a positive result, although he will not be relying upon the likes of Alexsandro, Nabil Bentaleb, Andre Gomes, Ethan Mbappe, Ousmane Toure and Ngalayel Mukau.
Predicted lineup: Ozer (GK), Meunier, Mandi, Mbemba, Verdonk, Correia, Bentaleb, Andre, Sahraoui, Haraldsson & Giroud
Last five matches:
- Nantes 0-2 Lille (Ligue 1)
- Lille 1-1 Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1)
- AS Roma 0-1 Lille (UEFA Europa League)
- Lille 0-1 Lyon (Ligue 1)
- Lille 2-1 SK Brann (UEFA Europa League)
PAOK preview: Still seeking their maiden UEL win
First choice keeper Jiri Pavlenka is sidelined, as is young forward Chatsidis. Four other players, including Mama Balde, are inactive.
Predicted lineup: Monastirlis (GK), Sastre, Lovren, Michailidis, Rahman, Meite, Ozdoyev, Zivkovic, Camara, Konstantelias & Giakoumakis
Last five matches:
- AEK Athens 0-2 PAOK (Greece Super League)
- PAOK 2-1 Olympaicos (Greece Super League)
- Celta Vigo 3-1 PAOK (UEFA Europa League)
- Asteras 3-3 PAOK (Greece Super League)
- PAOK 0-0 Maccabi Tel Aviv (UEFA Europa League)
Player to watch: Olivier Giroud
Giroud has been impressive for Lille, although the 39-year-old has found it hard to come by with goals, with three in total to his name this season. He netted the winner in Lille’s opening-day UEL victory over SK Brann and provided an assist in the league against Nantes last matchday.