<p>PAOK will host Maccabi Tel Aviv at Toumba Stadium, Thessaloniki, on Thursday, September 25, at 02:45 AEST.</p> <p>Neither side is expected to challenge as a winner, but both should be competitive opponents during the 2025/26 UEFA Europa League’s league phase.</p> <p>PAOK managed to reach the knockout phase play-offs in last year’s edition of the competition before they were beaten by FCSB, having qualified from the league phase with three wins and one draw from their eight games. Maccabi Tel Aviv were eliminated in the league phase of the same competition last season, having finished 29th, with two wins and six losses in their eight matches.</p> <h2>PAOK vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Betting Preview</h2> <p>There have been two meetings between these sides in European competition, with each of them at the Champions League third round qualifying phase. The Israelis were victorious on both occasions, winning 3-0 (in Greece) and 1-0 (at home) to secure a 4-0 aggregate win and progress to the group stage.</p> <p>However, it is worth pointing out that these clashes were more than two decades ago – they were played in the 2004/05 season.</p> <p>Răzvan Lucescu’s side has been relatively strong in terms of their recent form, with a 2-1 away win against OFI in the Greek Super League, as well as strong performances in Europa League qualifying, including a 5-0 home win over Rijeka. PAOK has been defensively solid and effective at home.</p> <p>Dimitrios Pelkas has been in goal-scoring form recently, having netted twice in two games domestically, as well as scoring once in the Europa League. Giorgos Giakoumakis is another threat, as he has a proven goalscoring record; he is yet to score domestically, but netted in the win over Rijeka. Captain Andrija Živković is a creative outlet for the team and can make a big difference.</p> <p>Žarko Lazetić’s side won’t be an easy test for the Greeks, as they have their own quality in the middle of the pitch. Dor Peretz is an experienced midfielder who can make his side tick when on the ball. His goalscoring ability is also worth noting, as he co-leads the charts with five goals in the first three games of the 2025–26 Israeli Premier League campaign.</p> <p>Ion Nicolaescu is another name that is worth keeping an eye on, as he is also in good goalscoring form for his club, with two from two league games.</p> <h2>PAOK vs Maccabi Tel Aviv Betting Predictions</h2> <p>The latest <a href="https://www.sportsbet.com.au/betting/soccer/uefa-competitions/uefa-europa-league/paok-v-maccabi-tel-aviv-9583259">betting odds for PAOK vs Maccabi Tel Aviv</a> have the Greek side as huge favourites. However, the Israelis are worth value as a big underdog. The non-favourite has won three of PAOK's last four Europa League matches, suggesting they struggle in these games.</p> <p>Additionally, value can be found in goals. The 'Over 2.5 Goals' market has hit in each of Maccabi Tel Aviv's last four Europa League away matches.</p>