At Balaídos on 26 February 2026, Celta Vigo host PAOK in the second leg of their Europa League knockout tie, already holding a clear psychological edge after defeating the Greek side twice this season. Having won 3-1 at home in the group stage and 2-1 in Thessaloniki last week, Celta now aim to complete a third consecutive victory over the same opponent.
Prediction: Over 2.5 Goals
Given the scoring trends of both sides and the attacking dynamics of their previous meetings, Over 2.5 Goals appears the most logical selection. The pattern across their head-to-head clashes strongly supports another high-scoring encounter.
PAOK arrive under pressure after managing just one win in their last five matches in all competitions. Their away fixtures in Europe have been consistently productive, with all of them featuring over 2.5 goals and both teams scoring. While this highlights their attacking involvement, it also exposes defensive vulnerabilities. Conceding early in such a tie could force them into a more aggressive posture, potentially increasing the match tempo further.
Celta are unlikely to adopt a purely conservative approach despite their advantage. Instead, they may seek to control possession and stretch PAOK’s defensive lines early on. The visitors, aware that they need goals to stay competitive, are expected to push forward in phases, particularly if chasing the score.
With both teams comfortable in open contests and recent meetings producing goals, another lively encounter seems highly plausible. Defensive caution may fade quickly if the first goal arrives early, increasing the likelihood of multiple scoring moments.
