Celta Vigo won the first leg in Greece (2-1), and now the Spaniards have a comfortable advantage heading into the return leg at Balaídos. Vigo is a tough nut to crack for any opponent: the team consistently picks up points at home, as evidenced by draws against Mallorca and Osasuna, as well as a confident performance against Getafe. PAOK, however, will have to fight back, forcing their visitors to open up and expose their defensive midfield.
The Greek giants are in good form, but they'll have a tough time away against the Spaniards. Celta Vigo has a more versatile attack and is capable of catching opponents on the counterattack, exploiting open spaces. PAOK, despite scoring consistently in the Greek league, has conceded in three of its last four away games, and against Celta Vigo's technical midfielders, the visitors' defense will likely have serious problems.
The hosts need only avoid defeat, but playing in front of a home crowd means putting pressure on their opponents from the start. Celta Vigo is able to control the game at home and will not miss the opportunity to secure a victory. The best bet for this match is a Celta victory, which will use its tactical advantage and the support of the home crowd to advance to the next round.
