Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Wolfsberger and PAOK meet again at the Worthersee Stadion on Thursday in the Europa League third qualifying round, after last week̢۪s first leg ended all square.
With the tie still locked at 0-0 after the opening 90 minutes, the Austrian side will aim to build on a strong away result and push for an upset on home soil.
Wolfsberger AC
Although playing an hour from their home in nearby Klagenfurt, Wolfsberger will be aiming to secure league-phase football in some form by eliminating the Greek giants.
After a 2-0 home defeat to Altach on the Bundesliga̢۪s opening day, Dietmar Kuhbauer̢۪s men have enjoyed a strong response. A hard-fought 0-0 draw in Thessaloniki last week set up this decisive leg, and they warmed up with an impressive 2-0 league victory away to Austria Vienna on Sunday.
Wolfsberger remain slight underdogs despite earning a valuable away draw, but the winner of this tie will be well placed in the playoff, where Rijeka or Shelbourne await, with the Irish side currently ahead after the first leg in Croatia.
The Austrian club have not reached the group stage of a UEFA competition since 2020 and are in only their fifth European campaign, so experience is limited.
Team News
Wolfsberger will be without new signing Adama Drame, yet to debut since arriving from Zilina due to injury, alongside sidelined duo Chibuike Nwaiwu and Erik Kojzek.
Fabian Wohlmuth is expected to keep his place after starting in the win over Austria Vienna, while Donis Avdijaj may remain among the substitutes after being left out of the lineup in Greece.
PAOK
PAOK showed signs of rust in the first leg, with their domestic season still two weeks from starting. Razvan Lucescu̢۪s side offered little inspiration in last week̢۪s first leg and must raise their game to avoid a potentially awkward Conference League playoff against Cypriot neighbours Omonia.
Their failure to score was unexpected, given they were the Greek Super League̢۪s top scorers last season and netted 10 goals in four pre-season friendlies, all against strong opposition. Last term, PAOK reached the Europa League league phase and progressed to the knockout playoff round, finishing 22nd overall before being eliminated by FCSB.
This is their first meeting with Austrian opposition since 2012, when they suffered a 3-0 defeat to Rapid Vienna â€" a scoreline they will be eager not to repeat.
Team News
Croatian midfielder Luka Ivanusec, on loan from Feyenoord, could make his first start after appearing as a late substitute in the first leg. Jonjoe Kenny made his full debut in that match, while fellow ex-Celtic full-back Greg Taylor remained an unused substitute.
With goalkeeper Dominic Kotarski departing for Copenhagen, Luka Gugeshashvili has joined from Panserraikos, but it appears former Werder Bremen stopper Jiri Pavlenka will be PAOK̢۪s first choice between the posts this season.
Conclusion
Despite not capitalising on home advantage in last week̢۪s first leg, PAOK remain favourites to advance, which is understandable given the attacking quality within their squad.
Wolfsberger, meanwhile, will not enjoy a true home advantage with the match taking place at a neutral venue over an hour away. With the first leg serving as PAOK̢۪s opening competitive game of the season, the visitors may well settle and grow into the contest here.
Verdict: Away win
Best odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Olympusbet