RFS vs PAOK Prediction, Preview, Team News, and Lineups | UEFA Europa League, November 28, 2024

RFS vs PAOK Preview

• Tournament: UEFA Europa League
• Date: Thursday, November 28, 2024
• Time: 5:45 pm GMT
• Venue: RFS Jāņa Skredeļa sporta komplekss Dabīgais segum

Latvian side RFS will take on Greek side PAOK in their fifth 2024-25 UEFA Europa League clash on Thursday, November 28. It is an important clash for both sides as they find themselves in a similar position in the table and a win could propel them forward.

RFS are 32^nd in the table after four games with two points. They lost 4-1 against FCSB in their first UEL game this season before drawing 2-2 against Galatasaray. They then lost 1-0 against Eintracht Frankfurt away before playing out another draw (1-1) against Anderlecht at home.

PAOK, meanwhile, are 33^rd in the table with just one point after four games. They started off their campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Galatasaray away from home before losing 1-0 against FCSB at home. They then drew 2-2 against Viktoria Plzen before losing 2-0 against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Both sides are still just two and three points behind the top 24, respectively. Teams between eighth and 24^th place will face off in play-offs to qualify for the knockout stages. Hence, three points are vital for both RFS and PAOK on Thursday with just three more games remaining after it.

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RFS Team News

RFS will be without Alfusainey Jatta, Emerson Deocleciano, and Ismael Diomande due to their respective injuries. Deocleciano could return to the bench at max while Diomande is out until March 2025.

PAOK Team News

For PAOK, Antonis Tsiftsis, Taison, Stefan Schwab, and Tiemoue Bakayoko remain out due to their respective injuries or illnesses. All of them are out for a few weeks but Bakayoko will return next year.

Predicted Lineups

RFS predicted lineup (3-5-2):

Goalkeeper: Fabrice Ondoa

Defenders: Haruna Rasid Njie, Herdi Prenga, Daniels Balodis

Midfielders: Roberts Savalnieks, Adam Markhiev, Stefan Panic, Dmitrijs Zelenkovs, Lasha Odisharia

Attackers: Janis Ikaunieks, Cedric Kouadio

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

Goalkeeper: Dominik Kotarski

Defenders: Abdul Rahman Baba, Omar Colley, Tomasz Kedziora, Jonny

Midfielders: Magomed Ozdoev, Mohamed Mady Camara, Kiril Despodov

Attackers: Shola Shoretire, Tarik Tissoudali, Andrija Zivkovic

RFS vs PAOK H2H Record

The two sides have never faced off before. This will be their first-ever meeting.

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Key Players to watch in RFS vs PAOK

Janis Ikaunieks

The Latvian attacking midfielder, who can also operate as a false 9, has been in good form for RFS this season. He’s scored nine goals and provided three assists in 12 European games across competitions.

Janis Ikaunieks scored twice and assisted once in four UEFA Champions League qualifying games. He then registered six goals and one assist in four Europa League qualifying games. In the Europa League league stage this season, he has scored one goal and provided one assist.

He’s also been an important player for Latvia over the years, registering 13 goals in 65 appearances. The 29-year-old will look to use his experience and help his side gain a win against PAOK on Thursday.

Abdul Rahman Baba

Abdul Rahman Baba has been an important player for Ghana over the years and continues to be so for PAOK as well. The 30-year-old defender has a wealth of experience, having played for the likes of Chelsea and FC Schalke 04 in the past.

Baba has scored six goals and provided one assist in 19 games across competitions for PAOK this season from his position as a left-back. It is an excellent record and he will look to maintain it against RFS. He notably scored in their crucial 2-2 draw against Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League.

RFS vs PAOK Prediction

Both sides are struggling towards the bottom of the table but still have the top 24 in their sights. With half of the league stage over, every match is crucial for every side. Three points could be vital for both of them.

RFS have two wins, two defeats and one draw in their last five games across competitions. One of those defeats and their only draw came in the Europa League against Eintracht Frankfurt and Anderlecht, respectively. They lost 2-1 against Riga FC at home in the league in their last outing.

PAOK, meanwhile, have three wins and two losses in their last five games across competitions. They lost against Manchester United and Olympiacos but bounced back with a 2-1 win over Asteras Tripolis away in the league in their last game.

While both sides are desperate for points, it could end up as a draw, which won’t be of much help to either team.

Predicted Score: 1-1

Where to watch RFS vs PAOK Live?

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