Dinamo Zagreb vs PAOK Salonika Prediction: Greeks can secure first-leg success

Dinamo Zagreb were surprise 2-1 aggregate winners against Real Betis in the Europa Conference League knockout round play-offs and they continue their campaign with a round of 16 first-leg clash at home to PAOK Salonika on Thursday.

The Croatian champions are unbeaten in their last nine matches, but they face a tricky test against Greek Super League leaders PAOK in the 20:00 kick-off at Stadion Maksimir. Below is team news, match odds and our Dinamo Zagreb vs PAOK Salonika prediction.

Team News

Dinamo Zagreb are without injured contingent Marko Bulat, Mahir Emreli, Luka Stojkovic, Josip Drmic, Sadegh Moharrami and Dino Peric.

PAOK striker Mbwana Samatta is an injury doubt, while defenders Giannis Michailidis and William Troost-Ekong are definite absentees.

Match Odds

Dinamo Zagreb are 6/5 to establish a first-leg lead over 12/5 visitors PAOK, while the draw is available at 9/4.

PAOK’s six matches in the Europa Conference League group stage generated a total of 26 goals and despite the high-scoring trend, over 3.5 goals can be backed for the first leg against Dinamo Zagreb at 11/4.

PAOK Salonika draw no bet @ 11/8

PAOK finished top of Europa Conference League Group G - seven points clear of 2022 Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt - and they can show their quality by defeating Dinamo Zagreb at Stadion Maksimir.

Razvan Lucescu’s free-scoring side lead the way in the Greek Super League and they should be full of confidence after winning 20 of their last 24 matches across all competitions.

Dinamo are having a more mixed campaign and sit third in the Croatian standings, five points behind leaders Rijeka.

They lost three of their six matches in the group stage and could be upstaged by PAOK, who look temptingly priced at 11/8 on the draw no bet.

#PickYourPunt - Both teams to score, PAOK Salonika to win & Kiril Despodov to score anytime @ 17/1

Both teams scored in each of PAOK’s six Europa Conference League group matches this season and there is every chance of the trend continuing when the Greeks head to the Croatian capital.

As well as anticipating goals at both ends, we have backed PAOK for the away win and selected an anytime goalscorer wager on PAOK forward Kiril Despodov in our #PickYourPunt.

The likelihood of an entertaining game seems strong because both teams play attacking football.

Dinamo have found the net in each of their last nine matches. However, their defence could be in for a tough night against PAOK, who are the Greek Super League’s top scorers with 66 goals.

PAOK carry plenty of threats, including Bulgaria international Despodov, who leads their league scoring charts with 10 goals.

Despodov netted twice in the Europa Conference league group stage and the 27-year-old looks an underpriced 16/5 shot to find the net against Dinamo.

Check out the rest of our Football Betting Tips here.