Prediction Rijeka vs PAOK 2025/2026 season – Betting Tips for the Europa League on 21/08/2025

Match preview: Rijeka hosts a hungry PAOK in Rijeka

Rijeka welcome PAOK to Stadion HNK Rijeka on August 21 for a Europa League play-off clash that promises tension and plenty of bite. The hosts arrive off a mixed string of domestic results, punctuated by a recent 0-2 reverse to Dinamo Zagreb that exposed cracks at the back, while their home statistics suggest an attacking intent — Rijeka have recorded a couple of high-scoring affairs recently and average a healthy number of total shots. The venue will hold just over twelve thousand fans, and that atmosphere could lift a side that has oscillated between wins and defeats in recent outings.

PAOK, by contrast, travel with momentum from Europe after a dramatic extra-time victory away at Wolfsberger AC, a result that underlines both resilience and an ability to grind out results when stakes are high. Their continental form shows a side capable of keeping clean sheets in knockout ties — two clean sheets are recorded in their recent metrics — and that defensive solidity combined with a knack for late goals can be decisive in a single-leg European tie.

Key trends and how they shape the betting outlook

Numbers on either side urge caution but point toward a narrow edge for the visitors. Bookmakers favour PAOK at 2.20, implying roughly a 45% probability of an away victory; Rijeka sit longer at 3.10, with a draw almost as costly as a home win. Rijeka’s recent home goal numbers suggest they can produce chances — their total shot counts and corner averages show an active attacking footprint — yet their form line includes damaging defeats and uneven defensive returns. PAOK’s European performances and two clean sheets in the data make them an attractive, pragmatic unit away from home.

There are narrative hooks to both sides: Rijeka have a capable performer in Justas Lasickas, the best-rated for their last outing, while PAOK’s resilience was epitomised by Giannis Michailidis, who earned top player rating for their Wolfsberger win. That mix of home attacking appetite versus away defensive organisation sets the contest up as a tight, tilted chess match rather than an all-out spectacle.

Betting suggestion

Back PAOK to win (Away 1X2). The odds of 2.20 favour the visitors and reflect their recent winning edge in Europe, better defensive numbers and the psychological boost from advancing via extra time. Given the data, PAOK represents the value pick in the 1X2 market.