Hearts vs. PAOK Odds, Predictions & Betting Tips

Having landed a full house in our Hearts vs Rosenborg preview - boasting 21/20 and 3/1 winners - we're back to repeat that success in the Scottish side's Europa Conference League play-off first leg with Greek outfit PAOK.

Hearts vs PAOK Tips

If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Hearts' last European outing at home to Rosenborg garnered two winning bets here on-site and both selections are appealing to us again for the visit of PAOK.

The Jam Tarts have had a promising start to the new campaign, winning three of their five opening fixtures across three different competitions, including that 3-1 victory against Rosenborg last week.

We're being offered a slightly larger price here than the 21/20 last Thursday, meaning that the bookmakers believe the Greeks will pose a slightly sterner test for Hearts than their Nordic opposition managed.

That being said, there were three teams better placed in the Super League Greece than PAOK last season. It can be a challenge to gauge just how competitive some of these European clubs can be, but given Hearts' first leg home advantage, we fully anticipate them taking a lead over to Thessaloniki.

BTTS & Lawrence Shankland Anytime Goalscorer

Despite carrying the upper hand with a first leg home tie, Rangers saw how tricky these European play-offs can be, drawing 2-2 with PSV on Tuesday evening.

PAOK won't be as formidable as Eindhoven, but then it's all relative to the team and their circumstances anyway.

Counting last season's Europa Conference League group fixtures, HMFC have conceded nine goals in four home European ties, which includes Rosenborg's 5th minute opener at Tynecastle Park.

Although PAOK have struggled on their travels, European ties are a completely different entity. They thumped Beitar Jerusalem away from home in the competition's second qualifying round before holding out for a goalless draw with Hajduk Split.

Sitting just two games away from the group stages of the tournament, PAOK won't want to rely on their home leg to confirm their place in the UECL. That means going out with some attacking intent and at least registering themselves on the score sheet in Edinburgh.

But one thing they'll have to be wary of is the threat carried by Hearts' goal machine Lawrence Shankland. Last season's top scorer notched again for The Jambos in their routine 4-0 win over Partick Thistle in the Scottish League Cup over the weekend.

On four goals after only five games, if Shankland stays in Scotland - which there are serious concerns over given Southampton's interest - there's no reason why he can't outperform his figure of 28 for this campaign.

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