Schalke 04 vs. PAOK Preview
Where: Veltins-Arena – Gelsenkirchen, Germany
When: Wednesday, February 22, 2017, 12:00 PM ET
Line: Schalke 04 -245 vs. PAOK +540, draw +310; total 2.5 – view all Europa League lines
Writer’s Pick: Schalke (-245)
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Betting on Schalke 04 (-245)
Schalke are virtually secured a spot in the round of 16 after a dominant 3-0 away win over PAOK last week. Goals from Guido Burgstaller, Max Meyer, and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar secured the win for Schalke, who have been outstanding during their Europa League run. They’ve won 6 of their 7 games, with their lone loss coming in their meaningless final group game.
Despite their big away win in the first leg, Schalke have been so much better at home this season than on the road. Six of their 7 league wins have come at Gelsenkirchen. They’ve also won all three of their Europa League home games, with seven goals scored and just one goal conceded.
Even with their commanding lead in the tie, don’t expect Schalke to take their foot off the gas in the second leg. They don’t have anything left to play for in the league, and would probably prefer to go into the round of 16 with another good win in front of their home fans.
Betting on PAOK Salonika (+540)
PAOK’s odds of advancing any further in the Europa League are pretty remote after they got blown out at home in the first leg. They only have pride to play for in the second leg, and should be eager to make amends from their disappointing showing last week. They already took some of that frustration out on Veria, whom they demolished 4-0 during the weekend.
Despite that poor showing in the first leg, don’t automatically assume PAOK will be a pushover in Germany. PAOK has actually been a formidable away team in the Greek League this season. They have a 6-2-3 record away from home, but more impressively they have given up just five goals in those 11 games.
The Greeks have also been fairly good on their travels in Europe. They won two of three away games during the Europa League group stage, including a famous 3-2 over Fiorentina in Florence.
Writer’s Prediction
Schalke (-245) moves on to the round of 16 in style with a 2-0 home win.
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