Analysis shows the home teams usually have the advantage in close European ties but will that prove to be the case in this match?
The game between PAOK and Dinamo Zagreb takes place on the 14th of March at the Stadio Toumbas. The hosts are currently in 2nd place in the Greek Super League on 60 points while the visitors are 3rd on 51 points in the Croatian HNL table.
PAOK come into the match on the back of a 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Aris in the Super League. It was a shock home defeat for PAOK and they conceded the only goal of the game in the 31st minute.
#Lucescu and #Kedziora talk about the game against Dinamo Zagreb at Toumba Stadium #PAOKDZG #UECL@europacnfleague pic.twitter.com/aWJGUYW4YV— PAOK FC (@PAOK_FC) March 13, 2024
#Lucescu and #Kedziora talk about the game against Dinamo Zagreb at Toumba Stadium #PAOKDZG #UECL@europacnfleague pic.twitter.com/aWJGUYW4YV
The defeat against Aris was the second successive loss for PAOK having lost the first leg of this Europa Conference League round of 16 tie 2-0 at Dinamo Zagreb.
The defeats mean PAOK have won only 3 of their 9 most recent fixtures in all competitions. The wins came at Panaitolikos, Panserraikos, and Lamia in the Super League.
There are no losses for PAOK in 13 of their 14 most recent games in the Europa Conference League. The stats show PAOK are unbeaten in all their last 7 home matches in the Europa Conference League. They have won 4 of those 7 matches, with the wins coming over Hadjuk Split, Hearts, Eintracht Frankfurt, and HJK.
Dinamo Zagreb make the trip to the Stadio Toumbas having beat Slaven Koprivnica 5-2 at home in the HNL on the weekend.
Dinamo Zagreb were 2-0 up after only 18 minutes but Slaven Koprivnica pulled one back in the 22nd minute and equalised 14 minutes into the second half. Dinamo Zagreb responded with a goal in the 70th minute and added two more goals in the final 8 minutes.
The win over Slaven Koprivnica means Dinamo Zagreb are undefeated in their 11 most recent fixtures in all competitions.
There have been wins over HNK Gorica, Rijeka, and Varaždin at home plus Istra 1961 away in the HNL. There have also been victories over Real Betis away in the Europa Conference League and HNK Gorica at home in the HR Nogemetni Cup.
In terms of the Europa Conference League, Dinamo Zagreb are undefeated in each of their last 5 matches in the competition. They have won 2 and lost 2 of their last 4 Europa Conference League games on the road and there have been under 2.5 goals scored in all 4 fixtures.
Team news and PAOK are expected to be without the injured duo of duo of Giannis Michailidis and William Troost-Ekong.
Dinamo Zagreb travel to Greece with fitness doubts over several players, including Sadegh Moharrami, Marko Bulat, Luka Stojkovic, Mahir Emreli, Josip Drmic, and Dino Peric.
Dinamo Zagreb are in good form but PAOK are a tough side to beat when playing at home in the Europa Conference League.
Our prediction is to see under 2.5 goals with perhaps just one goal being scored in favour of the hosts. Unfortunately for the home fans that would not be enough and Dinamo Zagreb would progress on aggregate.