Champions League Quali, 2nd round, second leg, Wednesday, 31.07.2024 at 21:00
Could there be something in it for the Bosnians? Not many bookmakers or experts would have thought after the first 90 minutes that the underdogs’ progression would actually still be an issue.
In my Banja Luka PAOK Saloniki betting tip, I take a very clear view in this regard, which can even be turned into money with a bit of luck.
The short version: Honorary goal yes, qualification no.
Is the top flight perhaps too big for the Greeks after all? PAOK have made positive headlines on the international stage in recent seasons, but only in the Conference League.
In the 2021/22 season, they only reached the quarter-finals, and in the past 2023/24 season, Thessaloniki were eliminated from the competition at exactly the same stage, this time against Club Brugge.
In the first leg of the CL qualifier for the current season against Banja Luka around a week ago, PAOK were at least able to gain a small advantage with their 3:2 victory.
However, it is also clear that an improved performance will be required against the Bosnians if they are to avoid slipping back into a less prestigious competition
What can be said about the first leg? The win for the Greeks is alright overall, but Banja Luka are definitely still in the game.
The fact that I’ve been reporting on the 3:2 win with a disappointed undertone all this time is not least due to the fact that the German bookmakers had called out PAOK odds of just 1.15 on average for a home win in the run-up to the game.
A match that should have been decided in the first leg thus remains an unexpectedly close affair right to the end. Can the Bosnians now seize the opportunity presented to them?
For PAOK, the first leg was their first competitive match of the season after losing four preparation games in a row.
Borac, on the other hand, had already faced Egnatia in the 1st qualifying round of the Champions League and won their home game (1-0).
I emphasize this fact because the Bosnians have won eight home games in a row at their stadium in three different competitions – excluding matches against Zrinjski
In the end, however, I think PAOK are too strong to let them take the butter off their bread. The new additions for the 2024/25 season are simply too significant for that.
Want an example? A few days ago, Tari Tissoudali joined the Greeks from KAA Gent and could potentially make his debut in the second leg.
That alone is not necessarily enough to ensure they reach the group stage of the top flight.
But together with the additions of Tomasz Kędziora (Dynamo Kiev) and Mady Camara (Olympiakos), they should be too strong overall to at least qualify for the 3rd qualifying round.
In the end, a potential 1-1 draw is the biggest concession I’m willing to make to the Bosnians.
The double chance 1X bet with odds of 2.20 seems profitable enough for a soccer bet at first glance, but would be a suboptimal decision from an expert’s point of view.
I simply don’t see a home win here. In case of doubt, I therefore prefer the riskier draw odds, which have been set at a generous value above the 4.00 mark, for a possible single bet
Banja Luka are playing their best soccer at home at international level.
After all, they have only lost two of their last 13 European Cup home games, but against clubs of PAOK’s caliber.
This includes the 2-0 defeat to Rio Ave and last year’s 2-1 loss to Austria Vienna in the 2nd qualifying round of the UECL.
Most of the other victories, on the other hand, were mostly against smaller clubs from the soccer periphery of Europe.
However, I think the hosts can at least score the consolation goal. Banja Luka have scored at least once in 11 of their last 13 European Cup home games, including against the aforementioned Austria Vienna in the previous season.
The “Both teams to score” odds on offer from the bookmakers are therefore what interest me the most on Wednesday, even if they won’t lead to a payout that takes your breath away with a value of around 1.65.
Nevertheless, in combination with the Betano bonus and some other good Champions League qualifying tips, you could certainly make a tidy sum out of it
Conclusion: The outcome of the second leg between Banja Luka and PAOK Saloniki is open, but the odds are in the Greeks’ favor.
Although Banja Luka still have a chance of advancing to the next round after the first leg, their play is too limited.
PAOK, on the other hand, still need to shake off some of the “summer rust”, but as a collective unit and thanks to their international experience, they should be able to secure a place in the next phase within 90 minutes.
My personal Banja Luka PAOK Saloniki tip: Double chance X2 & Both teams score
