Heart Of Midlothian FC vs PAOK Thessaloniki Prediction & Betting Tips - Conference League

Prediction published on 22/08/2023, 14:29  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 24/08/2023 at 06:45 in Conference League Prediction

Hearts host PAOK looking to get a good lead in this Europa Conference play-off round first leg. The Scottish Premiership side are looking to reach the group stages of this competition for the second successive season. Last term saw them finish third in their group behind Fiorentina and Istanbul Basaksehir. This season has already seen them in a tough third qualifying round tie. They lost the away leg to Rosenborg 2-1 and then conceded a fifth minute goal in the return match. Three goals without conceding again took them into this play-off round. Hearts are third in the Scottish Premiership with four points from their two games. Their good home form continued with a 4-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup. That took their home unbeaten run to five matches. 

PAOK got to the last eight in the 2021-22 Europa Conference League, losing to Marseille. Last season didn't go so well with a loss in the second qualifying round. The 2023-24 season has seen them beat Beitar Jerusalem and Hadjuk Split to reach this play-off round. Two of their four games have ended in a draw, one each at home and away. They began the new Greek Super League season with a 3-0 home win over Asteris Tripolis. Only two of their last six away competitive games have been won and two of the last seven in this competition. We recommend a double chance bet on Hearts to win or draw this match.