PAOK and Basel take each other on in the Champions League tonight and this looks set to be a very entertaining clash. These two are two teams who will have hopes of making it further in this competition, but after the draw has put them together, only one will do so. Both are capable of making a splash in the group stages with a bit of luck, but their long term futures may lie in the Europa League.

Both teams enter the competition at this stage, so we have not seen anything from them yet and both will be looking to hit the ground running. Although we are only in July, this is a vital game for both of these clubs and their fans will be expected to see them move onto the next round.

PAOK and Basel Betting Tips

With no recent European form to go on, these two teams are very hard to work out. On paper, Basel look to be the better team, but whether they are in a position to go out and win this is questionable. Whether they will push hard to win it is something else to think about, with the second leg at home favouring them.

With that in mind the best way to approach this game could be to go with the value selection, which is the draw. PAOK are certainly capable of giving Basel a game here, despite being the second best team on paper there is little to choose between them.

Add onto this the fact that Basel are not going to be at their best, and are not likely to go all out to try and win the tie here. If there is 20 minutes left in the game and the score is tied, will Basel use up their energy in an attempt to win the game or will they conserve energy, knowing they return home next week and can finish the tie there?

I think it’ll be the latter, and while this game has two good teams taking each other on and looks set to be entertaining, I think PAOK and Basel will play out a draw here. There isn’t much between the two teams, but Basel have enough to keep PAOK at bay, and they don’t have much desire to go all out and win the game. A draw would suit Basel and that is exactly what I think they will get here.

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