RFS vs PAOK Prediction - Europa League Fixtures

RFS, currently sitting in 31st position, have shown resilience but lack the cutting edge in their home games. They are looking to bounce back after a recent draw with Anderlecht. PAOK, positioned just two spots below RFS, have struggled for consistency in the Europa League but recently pulled off an impressive comeback win against Asteras Tripolis.

Weather conditions in Riga are expected to be chilly with a temperature of 5°C and few clouds, potentially favouring a more physical game. PAOK are the bookmaker’s favourite with odds of 1.73 to win. Both sides have been leaky at the back, suggesting this could be a high-scoring encounter. Our recommended bet is for over 2.5 goals at odds of 1.82. This should be an exciting fixture with high stakes for both teams.

RFS vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Prediction & Betting Tip

Given the current form and defensive frailties of both sides, our betting tip for this match is “Over 2.5 goals.” This tip is bolstered by the following match facts:

RFS concede an average of 2.3 goals in their Europa League outings.

PAOK Thessaloniki FC have been conceding an average of 1.8 goals per game.

• RFS’s defensive vulnerabilities, averaging 2.3 goals conceded per game.
• PAOK’s inconsistency in defense, averaging 1.8 goals conceded per game.
• Both teams need an offensive strategy to keep their playoff hopes alive, which could lead to a high-scoring match.

RFS vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Odds

Looking at the upcoming match between RFS and PAOK Thessaloniki FC, the odds clearly favor PAOK. RFS haven’t had the best run in the Europa League, and their odds reflect their underdog status. For those looking to place a bet on this match, here are the current betting odds:

RFS vs. PAOK Thessaloniki FC Betting Odds
Bet	Odds
RFS	4.51
Draw	3.81
PAOK Thessaloniki FC	1.73

RFS Team Analysis

RFS have shown mixed results in their last five matches, with a form of LDWWW. They’ve managed to score an average of 2 goals per game but have only kept one clean sheet in that span. Their recent performances are as follows:

Home team	Away team	Result
RFS	Riga FC	1-2 (Loss)
RFS	Anderlecht	1-1 (Draw)
Grobina	RFS	0-2 (Win)
RFS	Auda	4-2 (Win)
FS Metta/LU	RFS	1-2 (Win)

RFS Key Players

RFS’s key player to watch in this match is Janis Ikaunieks, the team’s top scorer in the Europa League, with one goal to his name so far. His ability to find the back of the net could be crucial in breaking down PAOK’s defense. Despite the limited data on the expected lineup, RFS can rely on Ikaunieks to spearhead their attack.

Given the absence of further details on their lineup, let’s take a look at a possible starting eleven based on their recent matches. Expected lineup for RFS:

• Goalkeeper: No data
• Defenders: No data
• Midfielders: No data
• Attackers: No data

A significant individual battle on the pitch will likely be Ikaunieks against PAOK’s defender Tomasz Kędziora. This could determine the flow and outcome of the game.

RFS Suspensions & Injuries

RFS faces a few significant injury concerns that could impact their match against PAOK Thessaloniki FC. Injuries:

Player	Injury	Expected return
Ismael Diomande	Ligament injury	Early March 2025
Emerson Deocleciano	Leg injury	Doubtful
Alfusainey Jatta	Back injury	Mid December 2024

Their midfield stalwart, Ismael Diomande, won’t be back until early March, leaving a noticeable gap in their midfield. Emerson Deocleciano’s leg injury makes his participation uncertain, while Alfusainey Jatta’s back injury sidelines him until mid-December. The absence of these players could weaken their defensive stability and midfield control, adding pressure on the remaining squad to perform effectively against PAOK.

RFS Tactics and Formation

RFS Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Predominantly 3-5-2
• Key Forward: Janis Ikaunieks, top scorer
• Midfield Dynamics: Often disrupted due to injuries to key players like Ismael Diomande and Emerson Deocleciano, which affect their game control.
• Defensive Strength: With only one clean sheet in their last five matches, they rely heavily on a compact defense.
• Notable Strategy: RFS tends to push forward aggressively, averaging 2.00 goals scored in their last five games. However, this offensive approach has also left them vulnerable defensively, conceding 2.3 goals on average per match in the Europa League.

The team struggles to maintain stability, especially with significant injuries hampering their strategic execution.

PAOK Thessaloniki FC Team Analysis

PAOK Thessaloniki have experienced a rollercoaster of form in recent weeks, with a recent record of WLLWW. This pattern clearly showcases their inconsistency. They have, however, scored an average of 1.80 goals per game in their last five outings, which suggests a decent offensive capability.

Moreover, they have managed to keep one clean sheet during this period, highlighting some defensive resilience but also an area needing improvement given their Europa League struggles. Here’s a closer look at their last five matches:

Home team	Away team	Result
Asteras Tripolis	PAOK Thessaloniki FC	1-2 (Win)
PAOK Thessaloniki FC	Olympiacos	2-3 (Loss)
Manchester United	PAOK Thessaloniki FC	2-0 (Loss)
Lamia	PAOK Thessaloniki FC	1-2 (Win)
Egaleo	PAOK Thessaloniki FC	0-3 (Win)

PAOK Thessaloniki FC Key Players

PAOK Thessaloniki FC will rely heavily on their key players to make a difference in this crucial Europa League matchup. Top Scorer: Tarik Tissoudali, who has netted one goal in this tournament so far, will be a focal point in the attack. Key Midfielder: Magomed Ozdoev, providing crucial defensive cover and transition play, is expected to be pivotal in the midfield battles. Experienced Defender: Tomasz Kędziora, lining up in central defense, will need to marshal the backline against a potentially aggressive RFS side. Potential Lineup:

• Goalkeeper: Dominik Kotarski
• Defenders: Jonny, Tomasz Kędziora, Omar Colley, Abdul-Rahman Baba
• Midfielders: Magomed Ozdoev, Mady Camara, Andrija Zivkovic, Shola Shoretire, Thomas Murg
• Forward: Fedor Chalov Expect fierce individual battles, particularly between Tissoudali and the RFS defenders.

PAOK Thessaloniki FC Suspensions & Injuries

PAOK Thessaloniki FC face several injury concerns heading into this critical Europa League fixture, which might significantly impact their performance.

Injuries

Player	Injury	Expected return
Antonis Tsiftsis	Muscle injury	Unknown
Tiemoué Bakayoko	Calf injury	Early January 2025
Stefan Schwab	Virus	A few weeks
Taison	Physical discomfort	A few weeks

Suspensions

None With no suspensions to contend with, PAOK will still need to rely on squad rotation to fill the gaps left by injured players. The absence of these key players could make their upcoming match even more challenging.

PAOK Thessaloniki FC Tactics and Formation

PAOK Thessaloniki FC Tactical Breakdown:

• Formation: Expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, which has been their preferred setup in recent matches.
• Key Forward: Fedor Chalov will lead the attack, looking to take advantage of RFS’s leaky defense.
• Midfield Duo: Magomed Ozdoev and Mady Camara are expected to anchor the midfield, providing both defensive solidity and transition play.
• Defensive Line:
  • Right back: Jonny
  • Center backs: Tomasz Kedziora, Omar Colley
  • Left back: Abdul-Rahman Baba
• Aiming to improve their defensive record, which has been shaky in away games.
• Wing Play: Andrija Zivkovic and Shola Shoretire are expected on the wings, tasked with stretching the RFS defense and providing crosses into the box.
• Attacking Midfielder: Thomas Murg will likely take up the creative role just behind Chalov, aiming to unlock the RFS defense with his vision and passing.

Notable Strategy: PAOK often focus their attacking energy in the latter stages of the first half, a period where RFS have been known to concede. Expect them to push hard from the 31 to 45-minute interval to exploit this vulnerability.