The first leg between these two teams in Greece last week turned out to be a much closer affair than most were predicting, so we're expecting a tight and tense encounter in Wednesday's Champions League qualifier between Borac Banja Luka and PAOK.
The Greek side take a 3-2 lead into the second leg in Bosnia and Herzegovina and are still the bookmaker's favourite to win.
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Borac Banja Luka vs PAOK prediction: Another action-packed 90 minutes on the cards?
Key Stats
- Both teams have scored in four of the hosts' last six outings.
- Four of PAOK's last five games have ended with both teams scoring.
- At least three goals have been scored in four of Borac Banja Luka's last six fixtures.
- Over 2.5 goals have been produced in four of the visitor's last five matches.
Correct score prediction: Borac Banja Luka 1-2 PAOK
PAOK won the first meeting between these two sides 3-2 and we're backing the Greeks to secure another narrow victory in Bosnia and Herzegovina, this time by two goals to one.
Pre-game odds and win probability: PAOK still the favourite
- HOME: 4/1 (5.00) – 20%
- DRAW: 10/3 (4.33) – 23.1%
- AWAY: 11/17 (1.65) – 60.7%
*odds from Ladbrokes, subject to change
PAOK are the expected winner of this game with a probability of 60.7%, and we tend to agree with the bookmakers on this selection.
You can find all our predictions for today's games on our football betting tips page.
Most recent H2Hs: PAOK lead
Before last week's first leg, these two clubs had never met before and now PAOK lead the head-to-head record thanks to their 3-2 victory.
UEFA Champions League Qualifying 24/07/24
PAOK Salonika
Borac Banja Luka
Borac Banja Luka preview: Better than most expected
Many, including ourselves, had predicted a more convincing winning margin for PAOK in the first leg but Borac Banja Luka showed that they have the attacking talent to cause their Greek opponents plenty of problems.
Sebastian Herrera converted a spot kick for the visitors last week and young striker Enver Kulasin scored Borac Banja Luka's second goal against PAOK to set up a finely poised second leg in Bosnia and Herzegovina this week.
Predicted lineup: Šiškovski (GK), Herrera, Meijers, Carolina, Grahovac, Kvržić, Savić, Skorup, Lukić, Vuković & Kulašin
UEFA Conference League 03/10/24
D
Panathinaikos
1
Borac Banja Luka
1
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 29/09/24
W
Radnik Bijeljina
0
Borac Banja Luka
2
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 25/09/24
W
NK Posusje
0
Borac Banja Luka
2
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 21/09/24
L
FK Sarajevo
1
Borac Banja Luka
0
Bosnia & Herzegovina Premier Liga 15/09/24
D
Zrinjski Mostar
1
Borac Banja Luka
1
PAOK preview: Should be too strong for their hosts
PAOK took the lead three times against Borac Banja Luka last week to secure a 3-2 victory.
The Greek Super League side were always the heavy favourite to progress in this tie, and still are, but they will need to put in a better defensive performance to ensure their safe passage into the next round.
Kiril Despodov put in a good performance for last week's hosts, setting up two goals, while young defender Konstantinos Koulierakis scored two goals to help earn his side their slender lead.
Predicted lineup: Kotarski (GK), Troost-Ekong, Baba, Sastre, Koulierakis, Schwab, Ozdoev, Murg, Taison, Despodov & Thomas
UEFA Europa League 03/10/24
L
FCSB
1
PAOK Salonika
0
Greece Super League 1 29/09/24
L
Aris Salonika
1
PAOK Salonika
0
UEFA Europa League 25/09/24
L
Galatasaray
3
PAOK Salonika
1
Greece Super League 1 21/09/24
W
Volos NFC
1
PAOK Salonika
4
Greece Super League 1 15/09/24
D
Panathinaikos
0
PAOK Salonika
0
Player to watch – Kiril Despodov
Kiril Despodov always looked like being a shrood signing for PAOK and that proved to be the case as the Bulgarian winger scored 10 goals in 33 appearances in the Super League last season.
Despodov was at his best against Borac Banja Luka last week, tormenting the visitors' defence throughout the match and picking up two assists in the process.
The Bulgarian international was at his creative best in the first leg
We're backing the Bulgarian international to cause even more headaches for the Borac Banja Luka defence on Wednesday night in what we are predicting to be another narrow win for PAOK.
