PAOK will be looking to build on a thrilling 2-1 win over Benfica when they face Krasnodar in the first leg of the Champions League playoffs. The Black and Whites did well to shock the Lisbon Eagles in Thessaloniki, with former Benfica player Andrija Zivkovic putting the game to bed. The Greeks do not want to stop now, and they are likely to fight tooth and nail in the Stadion FK Krasnodar crush. Sportybet offers the best odds for this meeting.
The Russian outfit have been anything but impressive at the start of the new domestic campaign, and seeing that the game will be played behind closed doors, away win should be considered. Arsenal product Chuba Akpom is widely expected to lead the line for the visitors in the first leg. When the two teams met in the Europa League double-header five years ago Krasnodar eliminated PAOK, meaning that the visitors are hungry for revenge. On the NairaBet platform, you can choose a bet on a match using data from the best sports analysts.
HIGHLIGHTED PLAYER (CHRISTIAN CUEVA):
Christian Cueva is a Peru international who was born in Trujillo (Peru) on November 23, 1991. Cueva is a produce of Universidad San Martin football school and he continued playing for the club at senior level. After scoring 19 goals in 120 appearances for the club (league matches) the 169-cm tall attacking midfielder moved to Universidad Cesar Vallejo in 2012.
Due to the lack of first-team football, Christian Cueva quickly left the club, signing a deal with Union Espanola. The Peru international played for the likes of Rayo Vallecano (loan), Allianza Lima, Toluca and Sao Paulo as well before joining Russian side Krasnodar in 2018. Christian Cueva has established himself as one of the key players of the Peruvian national team and it is well known that he represented los Incas at the 2018 FIFA World Cup finals.
Nonetheless, despite beating Australia in their last group game, Peru eventually failed to book their place in the last 16 of the showpiece tournament in Russia.
HIGHLIGHTED TEAM (PAOK):
PAOK are regarded as one of the most famous clubs in Greece. The club’s biggest rivals are Olympiakos, but they have a great rivalry with local rivals Aris as well. The Double-headed eagle play their home games at Toumba Stadion Thessaloniki and the capacity of the venue is 28 803.
PAOK are a real force to be reckoned with at home, but they often struggle when playing on the travels. The club won their first Greek Superleague title in 1976 and nine years later their clinched their second domestic trophy, finishing the season three points clear of Panathinaikos.
Speaking of the club’s European success, the Black and Whites made it to the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup in the 1973/1974 season, but they were outplayed by Italian giants Milan in the two-legged tie. PAOK were founded on 20 April, 1926 and they play their home games in black and white shirts and black shorts. The club’s away colours are white.
