FORM GUIDE
PAOK have already played nine games in Europe this season, defeating Shamrock Rovers in a play-off tie to make it to the league phase of this competition.
After narrow defeats to Galatasaray and FCSB, they came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Viktoria Plzen last time out, at their atmospheric Toumba Stadium.
The title-holders’ domestic form has been more impressive, and they sit just one point behind city rivals Aris after 10 games of the Greek Super League season, although there was criticism following a home derby loss in September.
Last weekend’s 3-0 win over Egaleo in the first leg of the last-16 Greek Cup tie featured a first PAOK goal for Shola Shoretire, the Academy graduate who left United during the summer.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Lucescu prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation, with his full-backs playing high and wide. Guinea international Mady Camara is the midfield destroyer who allows the likes of Jonny and Baba Rahman to roam forward, while Andrija Zivkovic and Taison are dangerous on the flanks, with the latter offering a more traditional wing option to the Serbian’s preference for cutting inside.
Giannis Konstantelias is arguably PAOK’s most valuable player and the creative young midfielder came up clutch with nine goals and six assists during the title-winning campaign. Konstantelias is being coveted by some of Europe’s elite clubs and will look to make an impact again on English soil, a month after featuring for Greece in their first-ever victory over the Three Lions at Wembley.
