Preview: PAOK vs Celta Vigo Prediction, lineups, betting tips & odds | UEFA Europa League 2025-26 Playoffs first-leg

Os Celestes have already defeated Dikefalos tou Vorra once this season.

PAOK Salonika are now going to battle it out against Celta de Vigo for their first-leg playoffs contest of the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League. The Toumba Stadium will witness this entertaining contest between these clubs.

Dikefalos tou Vorra will be at home for their next European competition fixture and will be eager to use it to their advantage. They have performed decently in their last few matches and will be looking to continue their positive run of form. PAOK Salonika won three of their eight league phase games in the tournament.

Os Celestes are on a poor run of form at the moment, and the upcoming contest is going to be a tough one for them. They have already defeated PAOK once in the UEFA Europa League, but this time Celta Vigo will be away from home. This is surely going to be a challenging game for them.

Europe, here we go! 🔜 @EuropaLeague pic.twitter.com/G8hmxUgUVJ

— Celta (@RCCelta) February 16, 2026

Kick-off:

• Location: Thessaloniki, Greece
• Stadium: Toumba Stadium
• Date: Thursday, February 19
• Kick-off Time: 11:15 p.m. IST/ 05:45 p.m. GMT/ 12:45 p.m. ET/ 09:45 a.m. PT
• Referee: TBD
• VAR: In use

Form:

PAOK: W-W-D-W-D

Celta: L-D-D-L-D

Players to Watch

Andrija Zivkovic (PAOK FC)

Andrija Zivkovic will be looking to step up his game so that he can help his side stand a chance against Os Celestes this time round. He has scored three goals and has three assists in eight games of the European competition in the ongoing campaign. A top performance by him is going to be beneficial for the hosts.

Borja Iglesias (Celta Vigo)

Borja Iglesias is going to be an important part of the squad in the final third for Celta de Vigo. He is coming in after scoring a crucial equaliser for his side in the previous game and will be looking to help his team once again. In eight UEFA Europa League appearances this season, he has scored two goals.

Match Facts

• PAOK Salonika have won three of their last five matches.
• Celta Vigo are winless in their last five games.
• This will be the second-ever confrontation between these clubs.

PAOK vs Celt Vigo: Betting Tips and Odds

• Celta Vigo to win @41/20 BetMGM
• Borja Iglesias to score @11/5 Virgin Bet
• Goals under 3.5 @1/3 Unibet

Injury and Team News

PAOK Salonika will miss out on the services of Kiril Despodov, Luka Ivanusec and Dimitrios Pelkas. They are not fit enough.

Giorgos Giakoumakis, Giannis Konstantelias and Razvan Lucescu are suspended. Soualiho Meite might also miss out due to a lack of fitness.

Alvaro Nunez is not going to be in action for Celta de Vigo. He is injured. Yoel Lago, Franco Cervi and Carlos Dominguez are likely to sit out due to their fitness issues.

Head-to-Head

Total matches: 1

PAOK won: 0

Celta won: 1

Draws: 0

Predicted Lineups

PAOK FC predicted lineup (4-2-3-1)

Pavlenka (GK); Kenny, Kedziora, Michailidis, Baba; Ozdoev, Zafeiris; Chatsidis, Taison, Zivkovic; Jeremejeff

Celta Vigo predicted lineup (3-4-3)

Radu (GK); Rodríguez, Starfelt, Alonso; Rueda, López, Roman, Carreira; Aspas, Iglesias, Alvarez

Match Prediction

Neither of these clubs are going to back down here. Celta de Vigo are likely to come out on top and secure a win against PAOK Salonika in their upcoming UEFA Europa League playoffs clash.

Prediction: PAOK 1-2 Celta

Telecast Details

India: SonyLIV, Sony Sports Network

UK: TNT Sports

US: Paramount+, TUDN

Middle East/North Africa: beIN Sports

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