An interesting game

PAOK have great expectations this season. Having won both the titles in Greece, for the first time in their history, they want also to make a good impression in their European tasks, possibly against the most difficult opponent at this stage of the Champions League competition. Everybody in the team knows which are the difficulties against Ajax. Razvan Lucescu left the team for the Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal and Abel Ferreira is his substitute for the new season. Based on what I have seen in the preparation games this summer, I expect PAOK to have a more offensive approach, as the Portugal coach fancies. There are only a few signings compared to last year's squad and that help their teamwork, at least in the beginning of the season. 

On the other hand, even if Ajax impressed everyone in Europe with their performances reaching the Champions League semi-finals, they have to play early in the summer qualification rounds of the European Competitions due to the Netherlands low place in the UEFA standings. They definitely have great experience in these qualification rounds. Their new season started with a title, they registered a comfortable win over PSV Eindhoven  (2-0) in the Netherlands Super Cup final, proving that despite the departure of a couple of key players, they are still on high level.

Tonight's game is a tough one for PAOK but they won't give up at any point. I believe that the Greek Champions could take advantage of their strong home and get the desired result, in order travel to Amsterdam with qualification hopes. That requires at least a goal and I think they can achieve this. However, Ajax have proved that they can score with ease against any kind of defenses. BTTS is my call.