The UEFA Europa League 2025/26 play-off second leg between Celta de Vigo (Spain) and PAOK (Greece) will take place on 26 February at the Abanca Balaidos in Vigo. Celta de Vigo vs PAOK: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
Celta de Vigo
Last week, the home team extended their unbeaten run in the Europa League to three matches (two wins, one draw). Celta de Vigo have been scoring consistently across 10 matches in this competition, and in six of their last eight games they have found the net at least twice. We have not yet seen the same level of reliability in defence, however, with the club keeping just one clean sheet in their last 10 Europa League fixtures. In Greece, the hosts conceded for the fifth straight match in this European campaign. To reach the round of 16, the team simply need to avoid defeat in normal time.
- Celta de Vigo have conceded no more than one goal in six of their last eight Europa League matches.
- Celta de Vigo's uncompromising home run in this tournament has stretched to eight games (five wins, three defeats).
- Six of the previous seven Europa League matches in Vigo have gone over the totals line.
Potential Celta de Vigo Lineup (3-4-3)*
Andrei Radu – Carl Starfelt, Marcos Alonso, Javi Rodriguez – Oscar Mingueza, Miguel Roman, Ilaix Moriba, Sergio Carreira – Williot Svedberg, Iago Aspas, Borja Iglesias.
Forward Pablo Duran is injured. The involvement of defender Alvaro Nunez and midfielder Hugo Sotelo is in doubt.
PAOK
The visitors suffered a second straight Europa League defeat, even though before that they had lost only one of their last eight European matches, while PAOK's winless run in this tournament has reached five games (three wins, two draws). It is worth noting that, thanks to their attacking efficiency, the away side have scored in eight consecutive Europa League matches. Over that period, however, the club have kept just two clean sheets, and it should also be added that both shutouts came at home. On the road, PAOK have conceded in five straight Europa League matches.
- PAOK have won with a (+1.5) handicap in six of their last seven Europa League games.
- PAOK have scored at least two goals in five of their last seven matches in this competition.
- Six of PAOK's previous eight Europa League fixtures have gone over the totals line.
Potential PAOK Lineup (4-5-1)*
Antonis Tsiftsis – Greg Taylor, Jonjoe Kenny, Dejan Lovren, Alessandro Vogliacco – Mady Camara, Magomed Ozdoev, Andrija Zivkovic, Taison, Christos Zafeiris – Alexander Eremeeff.
Forward Georgios Giakoumakis and midfielder Ioannis Konstantelias have served their suspensions, but now midfielder Andrija Zivkovic will miss out due to an accumulation of yellow cards. Midfielders Soualiho Meite, Kiril Despodov, Dimitris Pelkas and Luka Ivanusec are unavailable through injury. The involvement of defender Dejan Lovren is in doubt.
Referee
Marco Guida (Italy)
Matches – 10 (international fixtures, 2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second bookings) – 31;
Yellow cards per match – 3.1;
Red cards shown – 0;
Fouls per match – 23;
Penalties – 10%.
Celta de Vigo vs PAOK: Match Prediction
Celta de Vigo achieved the maximum result even away from home, despite the fact that trips on the road are usually extremely difficult for them. Now the Spaniards return home, where they are traditionally dangerous against almost any opponent. In this season's Europa League, the club have recorded three wins in their last four home matches, although none of those games ended in a clean sheet for the hosts. Notably, including away fixtures, both teams have scored in eight of Celta de Vigo's last nine Europa League matches.
PAOK lost last week for only the third time in nine matches since the start of the league phase of the Europa League, but it is worth bearing in mind that the away team have now been beaten in back-to-back games, with two of those three defeats coming against Celta de Vigo. The Greeks previously visited Vigo back in October, and on that occasion they failed to take a single point, despite opening the scoring in the first half. PAOK are unlikely to go down without a fight and should extend their eight-match scoring run in the Europa League, but even if they do find the net, another unpleasant outcome could be in store.
Prediction: Celta de Vigo to win + Both teams to score – Yes
* For each team, the starting lineup from their previous match in this tournament is shown.
