PAOK vs Celta Vigo Prediction - UEFA Europa League

The clash between PAOK and Celta Vigo at Toumba Stadium at 00:45 on February 20, 2026, is crucial in determining their positions in the UEFA Europa League standings. Both teams are neck and neck, separated by only one point, promising a dramatic and tactically complex match.

Current league position and form

Currently, Celta Vigo is ranked 16th with 13 points after 8 matches played. Meanwhile, the home team PAOK is right behind them in 17th place with 12 points but has played 4 more matches than their opponent. This narrow gap makes this direct confrontation a golden opportunity for one of the two teams to pull ahead.

The power of home advantage at Toumba Stadium

Notably, despite being lower in the league table, PAOK is maintaining an unbeaten home record this season with 3 wins and 3 draws. The Greek team's scoring performance is quite consistent, averaging 1.9 goals per game. However, their defense still shows weaknesses, conceding an average of 1.3 goals per game.

The composure of the Spanish representative.

Celta Vigo boasts a similar attacking performance with 1.9 goals per game but has played significantly fewer matches. The Spanish team shows efficiency in their playing style, although their away record isn't particularly impressive, having only secured one victory in their away games this season.

History of confrontations and current team situation.

In the past, the two teams met in October 2025, with Celta Vigo winning 3-1. This result gives the away team a huge psychological advantage before their trip to Greece.

Staffing crisis at PAOK

PAOK are facing a difficult personnel problem after losing a number of key players:

• G. Konstantelias:Absent due to a red card.
• G. Giakoumakis:Suspended due to accumulating too many yellow cards.
• L. Ivanusec:Toe injury.
• M. Balde, T. Murg, J. Sastre:Unable to compete.
• K. Despodov, S. Meite:His availability for the match is still uncertain due to injury.

Conversely, Celta Vigo has a relatively full squad, only missing A. Nunez (groin injury) and H. Sotelo (ankle injury).

Match analysis

Based on the current situation, although PAOK has the home advantage, the absence of so many key players due to injuries and suspensions will be a major obstacle. Celta Vigo, with a stable squad and a better head-to-head record, is considered the more likely winner.

Experts predict a very high probability, with odds of up to 90%, for the visiting team from Spain to win or at least draw. This could be a tight match with not many goals scored by the home team.

Team lineup updated at 00:15 on February 20, 2026.

Official lineup

PAOK

Diagram: 4-2-3-1

CoachRazvan Lucescu

Starting lineup:

• 99. Antonis Tsiftsis (G)
• 3. Jonjoe Kenny (D)
• 4. Alessandro Vogliacco (D)
• 6. Dejan Lovren (D)
• 32. Greg Taylor (D)
• 2. Mady Camara (M)
• 27. Magomed Ozdoev (M)
• 14. Andrija Živković (M)
• 20. Christos Zafeiris (M)
• 11. Taison (M)
• 19. Alexander Jeremejeff (F)

Substitutes:

• 1. Jiří Pavlenka
• 41. Dimitrios Monastrilis
• 5. Ioannis Michailidis
• 16. Tomasz Kędziora
• 21. Abdul Rahman Baba
• 25. Konstantinos Thymianis
• 35. Jorge Sánchez
• 22. Alessandro Bianco
• 39. Dimitrios Berdos
• 52. Dimitrios Chatsidis
• 56. Anestis Mythou

Celta Vigo

Diagram: 3-4-3

CoachClaudio Giraldez

Starting lineup:

• 13. Ionuț Radu (G)
• 3. Oscar Mingueza (D)
• 2. Carl Starfelt (D)
• 20. Marcos Alonso (D)
• 32. Javi Rodríguez (M)
• 16. Miguel Román (M)
• 6. Ilaix Moriba (M)
• 5. Sergio Carreira (M)
• 10. Iago Aspas (F)
• 7. Borja Iglesias (F)
• 19. Williot Swedberg (F)

Substitutes:

• 1. Iván Villar
• 12. Manu Fernández
• 17. Javier Rueda
• 21. Mihailo Ristić
• 24. Carlos Domínguez
• 29. Yoel Lago
• 15. Matías Vecino
• 23. Hugo Álvarez
• 30. Fer López
• 39. Jones El-Abdellaoui
• 9. Ferran Jutgla
• 18. Pablo Durán

Thanh Vinh