PAOK vs Anderlecht prediction for the Europa League qualifier on 6 August 2026
Introduction
PAOK welcome Anderlecht to Toumba Stadium on Thursday, 6 August 2026, for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League third qualifying round tie.
The return match will be played in Brussels on 13 August. UEFA has confirmed Toumba Stadium as the venue for the opening leg, giving PAOK the opportunity to establish an advantage in one of the more intense home environments in this stage of European qualifying.
Both clubs needed to survive tense second-round ties.
PAOK defeated Dynamo Kyiv 3-2 in the opening match in Lublin. They fell behind after only three minutes but responded through Giannis Konstantelias, Christos Zafeiris and Baptiste Santamaría. The second leg in Thessaloniki finished 0-0, allowing the Greek side to progress 3-2 on aggregate.
Anderlecht’s route was even tighter.
Danylo Sikan scored after six minutes away to Hammarby, but the Belgian side conceded an 89th-minute equaliser after playing the closing stages with ten men following Nathan Saliba’s dismissal. The return in Brussels remained 0-0 after extra time, which meant Anderlecht advanced through a penalty shootout.
Those results tell us quite a lot about Thursday’s matchup.
PAOK showed more attacking quality in their first leg but were also vulnerable when Dynamo moved the ball quickly through midfield. Anderlecht were organised across both matches, although they created very little once Hammarby settled into a deeper defensive shape.
For readers comparing Europa League predictions Malaysia, PAOK’s home advantage deserves attention, but a large handicap would be difficult to justify. Anderlecht have conceded only once across 210 competitive minutes this season and are comfortable making away matches slow and physical.
The home side should control more possession and create the better chances. The most realistic pattern, however, is a patient PAOK victory rather than an open match filled with goals.
This preview was updated on 5 August 2026. Starting lineups, player availability and market prices should be checked again after the official team news is released.
Summer Changes
PAOK
PAOK begin the season under Italian coach Alessio Lisci.
The club have given him a squad containing an interesting mixture of experienced European players and younger attacking talent. His early team selections suggest that PAOK will attempt to press more aggressively while still building attacks through short passes from midfield.
Aritz Elustondo has joined after spending most of his career with Real Sociedad. The Spanish defender brings experience at centre-back and right-back and gives Lisci another option alongside Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Giannis Michailidis and the other established defenders.
Jonjoe Kenny has strengthened the right side, while Jonathan Gómez and Greg Taylor provide competition on the left. PAOK’s registered Europa League squad also includes Milan Škriniar’s former international teammate Hatzidiakos, Baba Rahman and several academy defenders.
The midfield has been central to PAOK’s positive start.
Baptiste Santamaría and Christos Zafeiris both scored in the 3-2 victory over Dynamo Kyiv. Santamaría offers positional discipline and passing range, while Zafeiris is more willing to carry the ball forward and arrive near the penalty area.
The most exciting player remains Giannis Konstantelias.
He scored PAOK’s first goal in Lublin and repeatedly found space behind Dynamo’s central midfielders. His close control allows PAOK to progress through crowded areas without relying entirely on crosses or long passes.
Swedish winger Taha Ali is another summer addition after leaving Malmö. He started the opening match against Dynamo but was replaced early, so his availability should be confirmed before the Anderlecht fixture. Taison is the experienced alternative on the left.
PAOK can also call upon Andrija Živković, Dimitris Pelkas, Mady Camara and Alexander Jeremejeff. The squad has enough depth to change the attacking shape during the second half, even though it still lacks a completely settled first-choice centre-forward.
Anderlecht
Anderlecht have started a new project under Vítor Bruno.
The Portuguese coach signed a two-year contract in June after spending many years alongside Sérgio Conceição and later leading Porto himself. Anderlecht appointed him with the intention of playing proactive, possession-based football while continuing to develop younger players.
The defence has received considerable attention.
Giulian Biancone signed a three-year contract, while Léo Pétrot arrived from Elche. Both started during the previous round and have already become important to the new defensive structure.
Biancone offers speed and strength at centre-back. Pétrot is left-footed and can play centrally or as a full-back, allowing Anderlecht to alter their buildup without making an immediate substitution.
Lukas Ambros has joined from Górnik Zabrze on a long-term contract.
The Czech midfielder can operate as a number eight or in a more advanced position. He adds energy and forward movement to a midfield that also contains Nathan Saliba, Enric Llansana, Marco Kana and Mario Stroeykens.
Oliver Antman became another notable addition at the end of July.
The Finnish winger joined from Rangers on a four-year contract with an additional option. His pace and direct running could be useful against PAOK, although his eligibility and inclusion in the match squad depend on the final UEFA registration.
Danylo Sikan remains the main centre-forward.
The Ukrainian joined Anderlecht from Trabzonspor earlier in 2026 after previously scoring 31 times for Shakhtar Donetsk. His early goal against Hammarby showed why Anderlecht value his movement and penalty-area awareness.
The Belgian side have quality available, but the new coaching staff are still establishing the best combination. Several defenders and midfielders have arrived recently, while the domestic league season does not begin until the weekend immediately following the PAOK match.
Team Form
PAOK Form
PAOK have played two competitive matches this season and remain unbeaten.
Their 3-2 victory over Dynamo Kyiv was much more open than Lisci would have wanted. PAOK responded impressively after conceding in the third minute, but Dynamo continued creating opportunities whenever they played through the first press.
Konstantelias equalised in the 13th minute, Zafeiris put PAOK ahead before half-time and Santamaría added a third shortly after the restart. Justin Lonwijk reduced the deficit for Dynamo, leaving the tie uncertain before the return in Thessaloniki.
The second leg was completely different.
PAOK did not need to force the match after winning away. They protected the central areas, limited Dynamo’s clearer chances and accepted a goalless draw that secured qualification.
That ability to play two different types of match is encouraging.
PAOK can attack with numbers when they need a goal, but they can also slow the tempo and protect an advantage. A two-legged European tie often requires both approaches.
There is still room for improvement.
The midfield became stretched during portions of the first encounter, and PAOK occasionally left too much space outside Santamaría. Anderlecht may not attack as quickly as Dynamo, but Stroeykens, Huerta and Sikan are capable of exploiting similar gaps.
The clean sheet at Toumba should give PAOK confidence. The Greek side will now try to combine that defensive control with the attacking sharpness shown in Lublin.
Anderlecht Form
Anderlecht’s two competitive matches have produced only two goals.
The Belgian side began well in Sweden. Sikan moved intelligently between Hammarby’s centre-backs and finished an early opportunity, giving Vítor Bruno’s team control of the tie after six minutes.
The match became increasingly difficult after that.
Anderlecht struggled to create a second goal, while Saliba’s late red card forced them to protect their penalty area. Hammarby eventually equalised through Frank Junior Adjei in the 89th minute.
The return leg was cautious and physically demanding.
Neither side scored during 90 minutes or extra time. Anderlecht eventually survived the penalty shootout, but the performance again showed that the attack is still developing under the new coach.
The positive side is obvious.
Anderlecht conceded only once across 210 minutes and handled the pressure of a shootout. Colin Coosemans provides experience in goal, while Biancone, Pétrot and Ludwig Augustinsson give the defence a good mixture of size and technical ability.
The concern is creativity.
Anderlecht found it difficult to move Hammarby’s compact block and often relied on crosses towards Sikan. Facing PAOK at Toumba will require quicker counterattacks and greater accuracy from the first forward pass.
The visitors also have no domestic match rhythm yet. Their Belgian league campaign begins after this European fixture, so Thursday will be only their third competitive game of the season.
Tactical Analysis
How PAOK May Play
PAOK are expected to begin in a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Jiří Pavlenka should continue in goal behind a defence built around Kenny, Hatzidiakos, Michailidis and Jonathan Gómez. Elustondo is an alternative if Lisci prefers greater experience or wants a defender capable of stepping into midfield.
Santamaría and Zafeiris should form the central partnership.
Santamaría will stay closer to the centre-backs, giving Zafeiris freedom to press higher and make forward runs. That balance worked well during the goalscoring phases against Dynamo, although both players must remain connected when possession is lost.
Konstantelias will operate between the lines.
Anderlecht are likely to defend with two deeper midfielders, so the Greek international will try to receive behind Saliba and Llansana. Once he turns, he can combine with Živković or release the centre-forward.
Živković is most dangerous when starting from the right and moving onto his left foot.
Kenny can overlap outside him, creating a difficult choice for Anderlecht’s left-back. If Augustinsson follows Živković inside, Kenny can receive near the byline. If the defender stays wide, Živković can shoot or combine centrally.
Taison may start on the opposite side if Taha Ali is unavailable.
The Brazilian no longer relies entirely on pace, but his movement and European experience remain useful. He can move inside and allow Gómez to attack the outside channel.
PAOK should press Anderlecht’s buildup aggressively during the opening stages.
Coosemans and the centre-backs are comfortable with possession, but the Belgian midfield occasionally became disconnected from its defence against Hammarby. Konstantelias and the forward can close Llansana while the wingers press the full-backs.
The home side must not become impatient.
Anderlecht may defend with nine players behind the ball and accept long spells without possession. PAOK will need to move the ball from side to side rather than forcing every attack through Konstantelias.
How Anderlecht May Play
Vítor Bruno can use either a 4-2-3-1 or a flexible 4-3-3.
Coosemans should start behind Ali Maamar, Biancone, Pétrot and Augustinsson. Biancone’s pace is particularly useful because PAOK will try to release runners behind the defensive line.
Llansana is likely to remain deepest in midfield.
He can receive the first pass from the centre-backs and switch play away from PAOK’s press. Saliba should play alongside him after serving the suspension caused by his first-leg red card.
Stroeykens can operate as the advanced midfielder.
He is comfortable receiving between the lines and can carry the ball through pressure. Anderlecht need him close enough to Sikan to prevent the striker from becoming isolated.
César Huerta provides the main dribbling threat.
He can begin from the left before moving inside, forcing Kenny to defend rather than spend the entire match supporting Živković. Antman would offer a similar direct profile on the opposite side if registered and selected.
Sikan’s work without the ball will be important.
Anderlecht cannot press continuously at Toumba, but the striker can direct PAOK’s buildup towards one side. That would allow Huerta, Stroeykens and the nearest central midfielder to close the available passing lanes.
The visitors’ best chances may come during transitions.
PAOK’s full-backs are expected to advance, and Zafeiris will regularly leave the deepest midfield line. One accurate pass into Stroeykens or Huerta could create space before Santamaría and the defenders recover.
Anderlecht should also target set pieces.
Biancone, Pétrot and Sikan provide strong aerial options, while Augustinsson can deliver accurate corners and free kicks. A set-piece goal would completely change the first-leg dynamic.
Key Players
Giannis Konstantelias – PAOK
Konstantelias is the player most likely to unlock Anderlecht’s defensive structure.
He scored in the previous round and repeatedly received possession between Dynamo’s midfield and defence. His close control allows him to change direction in small spaces and attract multiple opponents.
Anderlecht may ask Saliba to follow him closely, but that could create space for Zafeiris or PAOK’s centre-forward.
Christos Zafeiris – PAOK
Zafeiris combines technical quality with aggressive forward movement.
His goal in Lublin came from a midfield run that Dynamo failed to track. Against Anderlecht, he must choose the right moments to advance because the visitors will look to counter into the space behind him.
Andrija Živković – PAOK
Živković provides creativity, set-piece quality and a reliable left-footed shot.
He can stay wide, move behind the striker or exchange positions with Konstantelias. Anderlecht’s left side must prevent him from receiving comfortably near the corner of the penalty area.
Baptiste Santamaría – PAOK
Santamaría scored PAOK’s third goal against Dynamo but has an even more important defensive role.
He must stop Anderlecht’s counterattacks before they reach Sikan. His positioning will become particularly important whenever Kenny and Gómez advance at the same time.
Jiří Pavlenka – PAOK
Pavlenka kept a clean sheet in the return match against Dynamo.
He may not face many shots on Thursday, but Anderlecht’s set pieces and quick transitions could produce high-quality chances. His communication with the centre-backs should help PAOK manage those moments.
Danylo Sikan – Anderlecht
Sikan scored Anderlecht’s only goal in the previous round.
His movement inside the penalty area is stronger than his involvement in extended buildup play. Anderlecht need to create earlier crosses and low passes rather than expecting him to receive repeatedly with his back to goal.
Mario Stroeykens – Anderlecht
Stroeykens can give the visitors the creativity that was missing for long periods against Hammarby.
He is capable of receiving under pressure and moving the ball into the attacking third. His positioning behind Sikan should determine whether Anderlecht can retain possession after escaping PAOK’s press.
Enric Llansana – Anderlecht
Llansana is important to the first phase of Anderlecht’s buildup.
He must remain calm when PAOK press and avoid giving the ball away in central positions. His defensive positioning against Konstantelias will be equally important.
Colin Coosemans – Anderlecht
Coosemans is Anderlecht’s captain and the experienced figure in a changing defence.
He handled the pressure of the previous round and helped his team survive a lengthy goalless second leg. At Toumba, he should face more shots, crosses and set pieces than he did against Hammarby.
César Huerta – Anderlecht
Huerta provides pace, dribbling and the willingness to attack defenders directly.
Anderlecht need him to carry the ball away from pressure and force PAOK’s right side to retreat. His duel with Kenny could become the visitors’ most productive route forward.
Expected Lineups
The following selections are provisional and based on the previous qualifying round, current UEFA squads and the latest confirmed additions.
PAOK Expected Lineup
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Jiří Pavlenka;
Jonjoe Kenny, Pantelis Hatzidiakos, Giannis Michailidis, Jonathan Gómez;
Baptiste Santamaría, Christos Zafeiris;
Andrija Živković, Giannis Konstantelias, Taison;
Alexander Jeremejeff.
Possible changes: Aritz Elustondo could start in central defence. Dimitris Pelkas is an alternative in the attacking midfield positions, while Mady Camara can provide more power in the centre.
Young forward Anestis Mythou started against Dynamo Kyiv and may retain his place. Taha Ali’s availability should be checked after he was substituted early in the first leg.
Anderlecht Expected Lineup
Formation: 4-2-3-1
Colin Coosemans;
Ali Maamar, Giulian Biancone, Léo Pétrot, Ludwig Augustinsson;
Enric Llansana, Nathan Saliba;
César Huerta, Mario Stroeykens, Lukas Ambros;
Danylo Sikan.
Possible changes: Marco Kana can play in defence or midfield. Mihajlo Cvetković and Adriano Bertaccini are alternatives at centre-forward, while Oliver Antman could be involved if registered in time.
Moussa Ndiaye offers greater speed at left-back, and Justin Heekeren is the reserve goalkeeper.
Head-to-Head
PAOK and Anderlecht have not previously met in a competitive men’s UEFA fixture.
The clubs played a summer friendly in June 2018, which ended 2-2. That match has little relevance to the current squads, but it remains their only recent senior men’s meeting.
Anderlecht do have considerable experience against Greek opposition.
Their European history includes meetings with Olympiacos, Panathinaikos and AEK Athens. Results have been mixed, and trips to Greece have regularly produced physical, emotionally intense matches.
PAOK, meanwhile, have faced Belgian teams in Europe but have not built a meaningful competitive history against Anderlecht specifically.
Thursday’s game should therefore feel tactically unfamiliar despite both clubs’ long European traditions.
Betting Markets
Reliable price-comparison feeds were not presenting completely consistent odds at the time of publication. The following selections therefore use minimum acceptable prices rather than claiming one universal live quote.
PAOK to Win
PAOK deserve to be favourites.
They are playing at Toumba, possess the more settled attacking structure and produced three goals away from home in the previous round. Anderlecht have shown defensive resilience, but they created very little against Hammarby.
The home win becomes attractive at 1.70 or higher.
Verdict: Likely outcome, although the price should not be chased below 1.65.
PAOK Asian Handicap -0.75
This line produces a full winning return if PAOK win by two or more goals. A one-goal home victory gives half a win and half a refunded stake.
It offers more value than the standard home win while recognising that Anderlecht may keep the match close.
Verdict: Worth considering at 1.90 or higher.
Under 3.5 Goals
Both second legs in the previous round finished 0-0.
Anderlecht’s two matches produced only two goals across 210 minutes, while PAOK showed in Thessaloniki that they are comfortable managing a tie without taking unnecessary risks.
The under also fits the first-leg situation. Anderlecht would accept a narrow defeat or draw before the return in Brussels, while PAOK will prioritise avoiding an away goal and an uncontrolled match.
Verdict: Strong combination option at 1.50 or higher.
Both Teams to Score – No
PAOK kept a clean sheet in their first home European match of the season.
Anderlecht scored only once against Hammarby and struggled to create central opportunities. Sikan remains dangerous, but the visitors may spend long periods without possession.
The risk comes from set pieces and counterattacks. PAOK allowed Dynamo to score twice in the first leg and cannot assume that another clean sheet will arrive automatically.
Verdict: Attractive at 1.80 or higher.
Draw at Half-Time
Anderlecht are likely to begin cautiously.
They will protect the middle, slow the match down and try to prevent the home crowd from receiving an early goal. PAOK may need time to find space between the visitors’ defensive lines.
Pages focused on football predictions Malaysia may present the home win as the obvious selection, but the half-time market reflects how difficult first legs can become when the away team defend with discipline.
Verdict: Interesting at 2.10 or higher.
PAOK to Win and Under 4.5 Goals
This combination covers 1-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-0 and 3-1.
It offers a better return than the straight home win without requiring PAOK to cover a large handicap. Five total goals would require a much more open match than either club produced in the second leg of the previous round.
Verdict: Strongest overall market at 1.80 or higher.
Best Bet
PAOK to Win and Under 4.5 Goals
The preferred selection is:
PAOK to Win and Under 4.5 Goals – take at odds of 1.80 or higher
PAOK have the stronger attacking players and the clearer home advantage.
Konstantelias can create between the lines, Živković is dangerous from the right and Zafeiris gives the midfield a runner capable of arriving beyond Anderlecht’s defensive block.
The Greek side also showed maturity in the return match against Dynamo.
After winning 3-2 away, PAOK did not chase an unnecessary second-leg victory. They defended the central spaces and completed qualification with a goalless draw.
Anderlecht should remain competitive.
They conceded only one goal across the Hammarby tie and have several physically strong defenders. Biancone and Pétrot can deal with direct passes, while Coosemans offers leadership behind them.
The visitors’ attacking limitations still make them difficult to back.
Sikan scored early in Sweden, but Anderlecht failed to add another goal across the remaining 204 minutes of the tie. They may struggle to create enough possession near PAOK’s penalty area to win at Toumba.
Within Europa League predictions Malaysia, the combined market offers a better balance than PAOK -1.5. It allows the home side to win narrowly while protecting against an unexpectedly high-scoring match.
The most realistic outcomes sit between 1-0 and 3-1.
Best Bet: PAOK to Win and Under 4.5 Goals
Minimum acceptable odds: 1.80
Score Prediction
PAOK 2-0 Anderlecht
The first half could be uncomfortable for PAOK.
Anderlecht should defend compactly, keep Saliba and Llansana close to the centre-backs and force the hosts towards the wings. Coosemans may also be able to slow the game down whenever the visitors regain possession.
PAOK’s technical quality should eventually create openings.
Konstantelias can draw midfielders away from their positions, while Živković and the right-back can overload Anderlecht’s left side. Zafeiris also offers a threat from late runs and shots outside the box.
The home bench may become decisive.
Lisci can introduce Pelkas, Taison, Camara or another forward if the match remains level after an hour. Anderlecht’s options are talented but less experienced in this type of away environment.
A first PAOK goal should force the visitors to move further forward. That would leave more room for the hosts to score again during the closing stages.
Correct score prediction: PAOK 2-0 Anderlecht
Alternative prediction: PAOK 2-1 Anderlecht
Qualification prediction: PAOK
FAQ
When is PAOK vs Anderlecht?
The first leg will be played on Thursday, 6 August 2026.
Where will PAOK vs Anderlecht be played?
The match will take place at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki.
Which Europa League round is this?
This is the first leg of the UEFA Europa League third qualifying round. The return match will be played on 13 August 2026.
How did PAOK reach this round?
PAOK defeated Dynamo Kyiv 3-2 away before drawing the second leg 0-0, progressing 3-2 on aggregate.
How did Anderlecht reach this round?
Anderlecht drew 1-1 away to Hammarby and 0-0 after extra time in Brussels before advancing through a penalty shootout.
Who is the PAOK coach?
PAOK are managed by Italian coach Alessio Lisci.
Who is the Anderlecht coach?
Vítor Bruno became Anderlecht’s head coach in June 2026 and signed a two-year contract.
Is Nathan Saliba available?
Saliba was sent off in the first leg against Hammarby and served his suspension in the return match. He should therefore be available against PAOK unless a new fitness issue is reported.
Have PAOK and Anderlecht met before?
They have not previously met in a competitive senior men’s UEFA match. A 2018 friendly in the Netherlands finished 2-2.
What is the best bet?
PAOK to win and Under 4.5 total goals at odds of 1.80 or higher is the preferred selection.
What is the predicted score?
The prediction is PAOK 2-0 Anderlecht.
Conclusion
PAOK begin the tie as deserved favourites, but this is unlikely to become a comfortable match immediately.
Anderlecht have rebuilt parts of the defence and appointed a coach who wants his team to control possession rather than simply protect its penalty area. Their performances against Hammarby were not exciting, but they demonstrated patience and resilience.
The Belgian side can remain in the tie if they survive the opening pressure.
Coosemans, Biancone and Pétrot provide a solid defensive base, while Stroeykens and Huerta have enough quality to create problems on the counterattack. Sikan also needs only one clear opportunity to score.
PAOK still have more ways to influence the game.
Konstantelias can create through the middle, Živković can attack from the right and Zafeiris can arrive from deeper positions. Toumba should also help the home side maintain pressure when the match becomes slow.
The first goal will matter enormously.
If PAOK score early, Anderlecht will have to move away from their compact structure. If the visitors keep the game level until the final half-hour, the home crowd may become impatient and the match could remain tight.
For readers evaluating football predictions Malaysia, the sensible approach is to avoid an oversized handicap. PAOK should win, but Anderlecht’s defensive record supports combining the home result with a generous goals ceiling.
Final prediction: PAOK to win
Qualification prediction: PAOK
Best bet: PAOK to Win and Under 4.5 Goals at odds of 1.80 or higher
Correct score prediction: PAOK 2-0 Anderlecht