Celta Vigo vs PAOK Prediction: Cagey first-half contest at the Balaidos

Celta Vigo hold the advantage in their Uefa Europa League knockout phase play-off tie with PAOK after beating their Greek counterparts 2-1 at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki last week. The second leg takes place this Thursday (20:00 GMT, TNT Sports 7) at the Spanish side's Estadio de Balaidos in Vigo.

Below are my Celta Vigo vs PAOK predictions, supported by all the latest team news and match odds.

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Team News

Alvaro Nunez (groin), Pablo Duran (knee) and Hugo Sotelo (ankle) could all miss out for Claudio Giraldez's Celta Vigo. 

Football Odds

As for Razvan Lucescu's PAOK, Georgios Giakoumakis returns from suspension, but Andrija Zivkovic is banned due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Luka Ivanusec (muscle), Soualiho Meite (thigh) and Kiril Despodov (unspecified) are among those set to sit this second leg out due to injury.

Celta Vigo vs PAOK Odds

Celta Vigo are 7/10 favourites to win the second leg in regulation time, implying a 58.8% probability of success, while PAOK are 7/2, or a 22.2% chance, to get the victory they need to at least force extra time in Spain, while the draw, which would be enough to send the hosts through to the last 16, is offered at 11/4.

Betfred's Price Boosts include Marcos Alonso To Receive a Card at 9/4 (was 2/1).

First Half Correct Score - 0-0 @ 7/4

Celta raced into a 2-0 half-time lead in the first leg, but the Spaniards could adopt a more cautious approach in the return fixture, despite playing at home, as they can afford to draw and still progress to the last 16.

Four of Celta’s last 10 games have failed to feature a goal before half-time, including last Sunday’s 2-0 La Liga success against Real Mallorca.

Today's Football Fixtures

PAOK, meanwhile, had seen their previous five European games end level at half-time prior to last week’s first leg, and three didn’t see a single goal scored in the first 45 minutes of action.

Four of PAOK’s last six matches haven’t featured a first-half goal, and while they will be desperate to draw level on aggregate in the tie, they will be wary of conceding first, so we could be in for a cagey opening half on Thursday.

Team With Most Booking Points - Celta Vigo @ 7/5

The teams have faced off twice already this season, and on both occasions, Celta received the most booking points.

Celta received three yellow cards, adding up to 30 booking points, in their 3-1 home win in October, while their opponents picked up a couple of cautions (20 booking points).

Then, last week, the La Liga club were shown two yellows (20 booking points), double that of PAOK (one - 10 booking points).

With Celta in front in the tie, it will be the hosts looking to slow the game down, making tactical fouls and aiming to frustrate their opponents, so I’m backing the hosts to receive the most booking points again.

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