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After a pulsating first leg in the second round of Europa League qualifying, Dynamo Kyiv will head to PAOK's Stadio Toumbas on Thursday having to overturn a deficit if they are to avoid elimination.
PAOK narrowly emerged as 3-2 winners in the first leg on July 23, coming from behind to claim a slim advantage, but they cannot take progression into the penultimate round of qualifying for granted.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
PAOK vs Dynamo Kyiv key stats
- Four of PAOK's last five competitive goals have been scored in the first half.
- Dynamo Kyiv have failed to score in seven of their last 11 away European games.
- Both teams have scored in seven of PAOK's last 10 Europa League matches.
- Dynamo Kyiv have not been ahead at half time in any of their five most recent fixtures.
PAOK vs Dynamo Kyiv preview: Finishing the job
PAOK vs Dynamo Kyiv — Tale of the Tape
| PAOK | vs | Dynamo Kyiv |
|---|---|---|
| 3rd (2025-26 Stoiximan Super League) | Position | 4th (2025-26 Ukrainian Premier League) |
| 64 | Points | 57 |
| 59 | Goals For | 66 |
| 25 | Goals Against | 36 |
| 16 | Clean Sheets | 8 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 4th |
PAOK deserve immense credit for coming from behind to win the first leg of their tie, especially as they conceded in the third minute but were winning 3-1 by the 51st minute.
The hosts have now won their last seven Europa League qualifiers, and while they conceded twice against Dynamo Kyiv, that was the first time in seven Europa League qualifiers that they conceded at all.
Last week's clash was Alessio Lisci first competitive match in charge of the club, and with his side's league campaign in Greece not set to begin until August 22, he can focus entirely on trying to qualify for Europe.
Unfortunately, PAOK not be able to name winger Taha Ali in the starting lineup due to an injury he picked up in the 14th minute of the first leg, so perhaps Taison will come into the XI in his place on the left.
Dynamo Kyiv would have been facing a significantly more challenging second leg had Justin Lonwijk not scored their second of the game in the 77th minute.
That defeat was the club's first in four home matches in UEFA competitions, and now they must win for the second time in 12 away matches in Europe if they are to avoid elimination from the competition.
It should be noted that exiting on Thursday would not eliminate the visitors from Europe considering they would be placed into the third round of Conference League qualifying.
Dynamo Kyiv could take attacking midfielder Mykola Shaparenko out of the lineup given Lonwijk came on from the bench in the first leg to find the back of the net.
PAOK vs Dynamo Kyiv form guide & betting tips
| PAOK | vs | Dynamo Kyiv |
|---|---|---|
W
|
Form |
D
W
L
|
| 3 | Goals For | 2 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 3 |
DW |
Europa League qualifying | L |
Whispers predicts: PAOK 2-1 Dynamo Kyiv (PAOK win 5-3 on aggregate)
PAOK are heavily favoured by the bookmakers, with a home win priced at 8/11 (1.73), and there is little reason to suggest that the visitors have enough to earn a positive result.
Considering Dynamo Kyiv have struggled to find the back of the net when playing away in Europe, a prediction of Under 1.5 Goals for Dynamo Kyiv at 3/10 (1.3) makes sense.
Given the visitors have not led at the interval in any of their last five games, it would be sensible to back PAOK to Win at Half Time, a prediction priced at 5/4 (2.25).
The hosts have also frequently found the back of the net in the opening 45 minutes, meaning there would be value in predicting the First Half to Have More Goals at 2/1 (3).
> Under 1.5 Goals for Dynamo Kyiv at 3/10 (1.3) | Likelihood: Probable
> PAOK to Win at Half Time at 5/4 (2.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> First Half to Have More Goals at 2/1 (3) | Likelihood: Outsider