The Round 7 match of the group stage of the 2025/26 Europa League between PAOK (Greece) and Real Betis (Spain) will take place on 22 January at Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. PAOK vs Real Betis: prediction, betting odds and statistics.
PAOK
PAOK drew 3:3 away to Ludogorets in the previous round in a high-scoring game. Thus, the home team extended its unbeaten run in the Europa League to four matches (2 wins, 2 draws). However, the club kept a clean sheet in only one of those games. At the same time, the home team have scored in five consecutive matches in this competition. In the domestic standings the home team sit 18th, and the chance of breaking into the top eight will be lost if they lose the upcoming match.
- At least 4 goals were scored in 5 of the home team's previous 7 Europa League matches.
- The club is unbeaten at home in this competition across five games (2 wins, 3 draws).
- In 4 of the home team's last 5 home Europa League matches they did not concede a single goal.
Potential PAOK Lineup (4-5-1)*
Antonis Tsifris – Greg Taylor, Jonjo Kenny, Giannis Michailidis, Alessandro Voliakko – Dimitrios Pelkas, Soualiho Meite, Christos Zafeiris, Georgios Giakoumakis, Dimitrios Hatzidis – Taison.
Midfielder Luka Ivanusec is injured.
Real Betis
Real Betis continue to go unbeaten in the current Europa League campaign. The victory in the previous round over Dinamo Zagreb (3:1) was the visitors' third consecutive win in this competition. Moreover, the visitors scored at least twice in those matches. By total goals (11) the club are behind only five opponents. With 14 points the visitors sit fourth in the table, however even a win in the upcoming round does not guarantee a top-eight finish, but qualification for the playoffs is already secured for the visitors.
- On the road in the Europa League the away side have not conceded more than one goal in six matches.
- Away from home in this competition the away side have avoided defeat in 9 of their last 12 games (8 wins, 1 draw).
- In 6 of the last 8 away Europa League matches the away side scored no more than one goal.
Potential Real Betis Lineup (4-5-1)*
Alvaro Valles – Marc Bartra, Natan, Aitor Ruibal, Diego Gomez – Giovani Lo Celso, Marc Roca, Antony, Pablo Fornals, Sergi Altimira – Chimy Avila.
Striker Cedric Bakambu is suspended. Due to health issues midfielders Sofyan Amrabat, Isco, forwards Antony, Cucho Hernandez, Rodrigo Riquelme, and defenders Hector Bellerin and Junior Firpo are not available for the match.
Referee
Simone Sozza (Italy)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2025/26);
Yellow/Red Cards Shown (including second yellows) – 30;
Average Yellow/Red Cards Per Match – 3;
Red Cards Shown – 2;
Fouls Per Match – 21;
Penalties – 30%.
PAOK vs Real Betis: Match Prediction
PAOK show good attacking form, but this should be tempered by the level of opposition. Against stronger teams the home team look much more modest. We can recall the goal-fest against Lille, but that was more an exception. Against another Spanish opponent the home side scored only once, even though that opponent is weaker defensively than Real Betis. The home team themselves also concede very little at their own ground, having let in just one goal in their last five Europa League matches.
Real Betis are very likely to secure a top-eight position. We believe that in such a situation the visitors will not force the issue, concentrating on defense. In defence Real Betis are reliable: away in the 2025/26 Europa League they have conceded only one goal, and the club have let in just four goals overall, a figure among the tournament's top five. In attack the away side rarely produce goal feasts in the Europa League, having scored more than one goal in only 2 of their last 8 away matches.
Prediction: Over 2.5 goals
* For each team, the starting lineup shown is from their previous match.
