The Champions League moves into the playoff round this week as clubs have just one more step to reach the tournament proper.
On Tuesday night, Russian side Krasnodar host Greek team PAOK at home in the first leg of their playoff round tie. Unlike the previous qualifying rounds of the Champions League tournament, the playoff round will feature the tournament’s usual two-legged ties.
Матч #КраснодарПАОК рассудит французская бригада арбитров под руководством Клемана Тюрпена.https://t.co/Et8nyfR9Rz— FCKrasnodar (@FCKrasnodar) September 21, 2020
Матч #КраснодарПАОК рассудит французская бригада арбитров под руководством Клемана Тюрпена.https://t.co/Et8nyfR9Rz
Krasnodar arrive for Tuesday night’s first leg having finished third in the Russian Premier League last season. The Russians have started the current Russian Premier League season well. They sit sixth with 11 points from 21 possible.
They will be up against a strong opponent in Greece’s PAOK. The Greek side were underdogs in the third qualifying round of the Champions League, yet defeated favoured Portuguese club Benfica 2-1. PAOK were up 2-0 at one point in the fixture.
Krasnodar go into the game in good form. They are unbeaten in three straight league matches claiming a win and two draws. Striker Marcus Berg leads the team in goals with four. They are one of the most proficient scorers in the Russian league.
The team average over 19 shots per game and lead the division with 14 goals after seven matchdays. The team are right on their expected goals figure of 14.67.
PAOK are also in good form in spite of dropping points at the weekend. They have played just two times in the Greek Super League claiming four points from six possible. PAOK drew 1-1 with Atromitos over the weekend and sit third in the division.
On paper, Krasnodar have better fitness. However, PAOK showed in their third qualifying round game against Benfica that they are a difficult team to defeat.
The playoff round offers a different format which should play into the hands of the favourite, Krasnodar. The one-off matches made for exciting football in which both teams had to go for the win. The two-legged affairs allow the favourite to make a mistake in the first leg and overcome it later on.
Compared to PAOK’s 2-1 win over Benfica in the previous round, Tuesday night’s game should be close and cagey. Krasnodar have conceded just six times in the Russian Premier League in seven games. They have not lost at home in the league and will continue that form on Tuesday.
Krasnodar should claim a narrow win to nil and set up a barnburner of a second leg in Greece.