Greece vs Kazakhstan Prediction: No Greek tragedy in Athens

Only France and Netherlands were too strong for Greece in their Euro 2024 qualifying section and Gus Poyet's men will be confident of reaching the finals for the first time since 2012.

The 2004 European Champions still have to negotiate two Play Off matches but they are just 1/3 to set up a Play Off final appearance with either Georgia or Luxembourg next week.

Kazakhstan are dismissed as 10/1 shots but they made their presence felt in a competitive Group H in qualifying and they won't be any pushovers in Athens on Thursday.

Team news

Norwich left-back Dimitris Giannoulis is the only absentee for Greece with a hamstring injury, otherwise Poyet has a first-choice squad to select from.

Petros Mantalos and Dimitrios Kourbelis return from suspensions, and Liverpool's Kostas Tsimikas should slot straight back into the side having been rested for the 2-2 draw with France in November.

Kazakhstan have a clean bill of health, although Nuraly Alip is suspended for one match so the visitors will be forced into defensive changes.

Match odds

Greece have won all three meetings with Kazakhstan and they are just 1/3 to extend that sequence this week. The visitors are 10/1 to spring a surprise in Athens and the draw is an 18/5 shot on Thursday.

Greece to win & both teams score @ 16/5

Greece gave a good account of themselves in qualifying with a 2-2 home draw with section winners France a particular bright spot. A 1-0 loss to the Netherlands also showcased their strength on home soil, and they remain a tough nut to crack at their Athens stronghold.

Just two defeats have come in five years of action on home soil for the Greeks who are firm favourites to progress to a Play Off final against either Georgia or Luxembourg next week.

First, they must see off Kazakhstan, and they may not have things all their own way against the ever-improving Hawks.

Kazakhstan finished fourth in their qualifying section only on goal difference from Finland and they were just four points behind group winners Slovenia and Denmark following six wins and four losses.

The Hawks have lost all three meetings with Greece and it is hard to see them improving that record this week, but they have got on the scoresheet in two of those losses and they can make their mark in Athens.

Kazakhstan scored 16 goals in ten qualifying matches and both teams scored in their last three away matches in qualifying.

Both teams got on the scoresheet in three of Greece's last five matches on home soil so a home win featuring goals at both ends looks a decent bet on Thursday.

Greece to win 2-1 @ 17/2

Greece have scored at least two goals in seven of their last nine matches on home soil and they can be fancied to score twice despite a nervy encounter on Thursday.

With plenty at stake in this contest, the home side are unlikely to run away with things despite being hot favourites, and an away goal can't be ruled out either.

Kazakhstan have scored in 11 of their last 12 matches so a 2-1 home win looks another solid wager for this Athens clash.

Check out our other Football Betting Tips here.