TipResumen

PAOK

They may have gone into the Second Qualifying Round of the Champions League as the underdog, but PAOK didn't stop that from seeing them destroy Basel 5-1 on aggregate to move into the next Round of Qualifiers. Getting into the Champions League Group Stage would be a huge achievement for PAOK who have fallen short in the Qualifiers over the years including two years ago when they were beaten by Ajax. It isn't going to be easy for PAOK to make it through this time around either as they are arguably going to be the underdog in both the Third Qualifying Round and Play Off Round of the Qualifiers. The home Leg of this tie is going to be very important for PAOK if they are going to beat an opponent who were playing in the Group Stage last season. They have won 4 of their last 5 home European ties including the last 3 in a row. PAOK are still a couple of weeks away from seeing the start of the domestic League in Greece which makes it that much tougher to get through the Qualifiers. They have won their last 9 games in all competitions going back to last season after beating Basel twice in the Second Qualifying Round, while PAOK have won 19 of their last 21 games at home.



SPARTAK MOSCOW

Last season Spartak Moscow went into the new season as the defending Russian Champions which meant a direct entry into the Champions League Group Stage. The Group Stage has been changed a little this season which meant the top two teams in Russia would automatically be involved with the elite of European Football, but Spartak Moscow finished 3rd which means they have to go through the difficult challenge of the Play Offs. At least Spartak Moscow have the chance to enter the competition in the Third Qualifying Round although they do have the tough League path in front of them. The Champions League Group saw Spartak Moscow just fall short of Sevilla and Liverpool, but they at least managed to snap a run of 12 away European games without a victory by winning at Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League Last 32. Spartak Moscow have made a good start to the Russian top flight having earned 4 points from the opening couple of games which includes a draw at defending Champions Lokomotiv Moscow. The side have only lost 1 of their last 8 away games in all competition going back to last season although Spartak Moscow have only won 1 of their last 3 on their travels.



HEAD TO HEAD

PAOK and Spartak Moscow are playing one another for the first time in a competitive fixture.