PAOK and Spartak Moscow to finish level in UCL
PAOK Thessaloniki will host Spartak Moscow in the Champions League third qualifying round. PAOK have already kicked off their qualifying campaign with a 5-1 aggregate win over FC Basel in the last round. Meanwhile, Spartak make their season debut in the competition.
The two clubs will meet at PAOK’s Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki. It is a stadium that saw last season’s Greek Super League runners-up concede just 10 goals while scoring 36. PAOK won 13 of 15 matches at home and with their supporters behind them. Spartak will be in for a difficult night in Greece.
Spartak finished third in last season’s Russian Premier League booking their place in the third qualifying round. The team has already started its domestic campaign and is undefeated in two matches. Manager Massimo Carrera has overseen two successful seasons at the Spartak arena.
Carrera and Spartak played in last year’s Champions league group stage but finished third behind Liverpool and Sevilla. The club then moved into the Europa League but was knocked out by Athletic Bilbao in the round of 32.
Dutch midfielder Quincy Promes scored 21 goals in all competitions for Spartak a season ago. The midfielder has carved out a successful career at Spartak and is their goals leader on the pitch. Striker Luiz Adriano scored 15 of his own. Both will be expected to score goals in Spartak’s Champions league campaign.
PAOK are still awaiting the start of the Greek Super League. It won’t kick off until August 25th, but the team should have just as much fitness as Spartak due to playing in the Champions league second qualifying round. PAOK’s home supporters should be a major factor in the fixture. PAOK benefited greatly in the second qualifying round against Switzerland’s FC Basel from their support. PAOK had a dominant 2-1 win at home against Basel.
The weather in Thessaloniki will be hot. Players can expect temperatures in the low 30s around kick off. The heat may play into the hands of PAOK. The addition of the club’s rabid support will make for a very hostile environment.
Spartak have the better side on paper and play in a slightly more competitive league. Yet, PAOK’s home stadium and supporters will give them an advantage. The two clubs will finish in a score draw with Spartak picking up vital away goals to take back to Russia for next week’s second leg.
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