Celta Vigo vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Prediction, Same Game Parlay, Latest Europa League Odds for Play-Off Leg 2
Celta Vigo hosts PAOK Thessaloniki FC in the second leg of their Europa League tie at Abanca Balaídos on Thursday 26th February at 20:00 GMT. The Spanish side holds a narrow 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg and will be looking to capitalise on home advantage to secure passage to the next round.
OC Staff - February 26, 2026, 9:30 AM EST
3 Minute ReadCelta Vigo vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC: Lineups, Team News and Prediction
Celta Vigo hosts PAOK Thessaloniki FC in the second leg of their Europa League tie at Abanca Balaídos on Thursday 26th February at 20:00 GMT. The Spanish side holds a narrow 2-1 aggregate lead from the first leg and will be looking to capitalise on home advantage to secure passage to the next round.
Celta Vigo vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Form
Celta Vigo comes into this fixture on a high after a recent upturn in form. Their last outing saw them secure a solid 2-0 victory over Mallorca in LaLiga. This win followed their crucial 2-1 away triumph against PAOK Thessaloniki FC in the first leg of this Europa League tie. Prior to these victories, the hosts had endured a mixed run of results, including a 2-2 draw with Espanyol, a 2-1 home defeat to Osasuna, a goalless draw against Getafe, and a 1-1 draw with FK Crvena Zvezda in Europa League action. Their recent back-to-back wins signal a positive shift in momentum.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC, on the other hand, arrives in Spain seeking to overturn the first-leg deficit amidst a less convincing run of form. Their most recent match in the Super League saw them draw 1-1 away to AE Larissa. This result came after their 2-1 home loss to Celta Vigo in the Europa League. Before that, the visitors drew 0-0 with AEK Athens in a domestic league match and secured a 2-0 home victory against Panathinaikos in the Cup. Their form further back includes a goalless draw away to Aris Thessaloniki FC and a 1-0 away win against Panathinaikos in another Cup fixture.
Celta Vigo vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Head to Head
The recent history between these two clubs is limited but telling. The most recent encounter was the first leg of this tie, which saw Celta Vigo clinch a 2-1 victory away at PAOK Thessaloniki FC. Prior to that, the only other meeting in the 2025/2026 Europa League season saw Celta Vigo emerge victorious with a 3-1 home win against PAOK Thessaloniki FC in October. In the two matches played so far, Celta Vigo has won both.
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Celta Vigo vs. PAOK Thessaloniki FC Odds
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Celta Vigo vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Probable Lineups
Celta Vigo (3-4-3):
- I. Radu; GK
- M. Alonso; DC
- J. Rodríguez; DC
- C. Starfelt; DC
- Ó. Mingueza; ML
- I. Moriba; MC
- M. Román; MC
- S. Carreira; MR
- W. Swedberg; FL
- B. Iglesias; FC
- I. Aspas; FR
PAOK Thessaloniki FC (4-2-3-1):
- A. Tsiftsis; GK
- G. Taylor; DL
- G. Michailidis; DC
- T. Kedziora; DC
- J. Kenny; DR
- M. Ozdoev; DM
- M. Camara; DM
- Taison; AML
- C. Zafeiris; AMC
- D. Chatsidis; AMR
- G. Giakoumakis; FC
Celta Vigo vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Team News
Celta Vigo will be without P. Durán, who is ruled out due to an inner knee ligament injury sustained at the weekend. Despite this, manager Giráldez is expected to field a largely settled squad. Iago Aspas will be the focal point for the hosts, having been involved in Celta’s last four goals (three goals, one assist). Williot Swedberg, a joint top scorer for the club in the competition with three goals, will offer a direct threat from wide areas.
PAOK Thessaloniki FC faces more significant team news. They will be without Andrija Živković due to suspension, a notable blow to their creative options from wide areas. Several other players remain unavailable due to injury, including S. Meïté, D. Lovren, D. Pelkas, K. Despodov, and G. Konstantelias. Giorgos Giakoumakis returns after missing the first leg through suspension and will be crucial for the visitors, leading their Europa League scoring with four goals.
Celta Vigo vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Match Facts
- Iago Aspas has been involved in Celta's last four goals (3 goals, 1 assist).
- Iago Aspas's last three Europa League goals have all arrived before half-time.
- Williot Swedberg is one of Celta's joint top scorers in the Europa League with three goals.
- Juan Miranda averages 0.32 expected assists per match with 84% pass accuracy for Celta.
- Giorgos Giakoumakis leads PAOK's Europa League scoring with four goals.
- Giorgos Giakoumakis has the highest expected goals (5.3 xG) in the Europa League this season.
- PAOK average 15.1 shots per game in the Europa League, among the highest in the tournament.
- PAOK have conceded 17 goals in their last six away Europa League matches.
- Only four of PAOK’s last 12 matches have seen both teams score.
- Celta have progressed from nine of their ten previous UEFA knockout ties after winning the first leg.
- Celta have won five successive matches against Greek clubs in Europe, scoring at least twice each time.
- PAOK have never won an away European match in Spain (D2 L6), conceding 21 goals across those eight trips.
- Celta have scored 2+ goals in seven of their last ten home matches in all competitions.
- Celta have kept only one clean sheet in their last 13 European home games.
- 12 of PAOK's 18 Europa League goals this season have arrived after half-time.
Prediction: Celta Vigo 2-1 PAOK Thessaloniki FC
Celta Vigo enters this second leg with a psychological edge, holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg and enjoying a resurgence in form, including consecutive victories. Their home form is particularly strong, with five wins in their last six competitive outings at Balaídos. Historically, the hosts are formidable when defending a first-leg advantage in UEFA competitions, progressing from nine of their ten previous knockout ties after winning the initial match. They also boast an impressive record against Greek clubs, winning five successive matches and scoring at least twice in each.
PAOK, on the other hand, faces an uphill battle. They arrive without a win in their last three matches and have a concerning away record in European competition, never having won in Spain and conceding heavily in previous trips. Their defensive fragility is highlighted by conceding 17 goals in their last six away Europa League matches. While Giorgos Giakoumakis’s return provides a significant boost to their attack, their tendency to concede first and heavily away from home places immense pressure on their offensive output. Celta's offensive strengths, particularly their ability to create chances through early finishes and wide play, coupled with PAOK's defensive vulnerabilities, suggest the Spanish side will find the net. However, PAOK's late-game scoring prowess (12 of their 18 Europa League goals this season coming after half-time) and high shot volume mean they are likely to push for a goal, making a narrow Celta victory plausible.
Celta Vigo vs PAOK Thessaloniki FC Same Game Parlay
Best Bet: Celta Vigo to Win & Both Teams to Score – Yes (+228) Check out the best odds on BetMGM Sportsbook
Given Celta Vigo's strong home form, their historical dominance over Greek clubs, and their aggregate lead, a home win is the most likely outcome. However, Celta's tendency to concede at home in Europe (only one clean sheet in their last 13 European home games) combined with PAOK's offensive statistics – averaging 15.1 shots per game and scoring 12 of their 18 Europa League goals in the second half – suggests the visitors will likely get on the scoresheet. This makes "Celta Vigo to Win & Both Teams to Score – Yes" a valuable betting angle, offering a good balance of risk and reward.
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