Preview:HNK Rijeka vs. PAOK - prediction, team news, lineups

HNK Rijeka host PAOK in the first leg of their Europa League playoff at Stadion HNK Rijeka on Thursday, aiming to make the most of their continental football consolation.

The Croatian champions were eliminated in the second qualifying round of the Champions League, relegating them to the lower tiers of European football, and Radomir Dalovic’s side now aim to take down a PAOK team whose only recent competitive action was in the previous Europa League qualifying round, where they defeated Wolfsberger.

Match preview

Rijeka’s reward for winning a domestic double in the 2024-25 season was a shot at the Champions League, a competition they have yet to participate in during their history, having lost in the second qualifying round in 1999-00 and the playoffs in 2017-18.

Although they hoped to be third time lucky, the Croatian champions fell short again, this time losing 3-1 on aggregate to Ludogorets.

After that disappointment, Dalovic’s team have had to settle for Europa League football, although participation is not guaranteed, with the club needing to progress through two qualifying rounds.

Rijecki Bijeli advanced past their first hurdle against Irish side Shelbourne, after needing a second-leg comeback at Tolka Park following a first-leg defeat in front of their supporters.

The drama-filled second leg saw Toni Fruk and Tiago Dantas put the Croatian club 2-0 up and ahead on 3-2 on aggregate, only for Mipo Odubeko’s penalty in the 86th minute to threaten extra time.

However, Rijeka had other ideas, with Ante Orec scoring just three minutes later to give Dalovic’s men a 3-1 victory on the night and a 4-3 advantage on aggregate, setting up their playoff tie against Greek opponents.

PAOK may be under-prepared due to limited recent competitive action, but the Greek side aim to capitalise on the Croatian team’s recent form, which includes two wins in their last six matches, with three losses.

It would be premature to draw firm conclusions from the limited number of competitive games they have played this season; however, Razvan Lucescu’s team seem keen on keeping matches tight as they ease into the new campaign.

The risk of Europa League involvement turning into Conference League football may have influenced Lucescu’s approach, with their third-round tie against Wolfsberger producing just a single goal.

That goal came from Mady Camara in extra time against Austria's Wolfsberger, whom they beat after scoring in the 115th minute when penalties appeared imminent.

Having not reached the Europa League proper since the 2020-21 season, the four-time Greek champions, whose last European campaign was in the Conference League — in 2021-22 and 2023-24 — aim to return to the second-tier European competition at Rijeka's expense.

HNK Rijeka Europa League form:

HNK Rijeka form (all competitions):

PAOK Europa League form:

Team News

Orec, the hero of the previous round’s victory over Shelbourne, is suspended for the first leg at home, forcing Dalovic to find alternative options at right-back.

Nonetheless, the 24-year-old remains Rijeka’s primary attacking threat, having scored 10 goals last season, including in the previous round.

With Fruk also providing 10 assists, his combined threat as a goalscorer and creator adds a new dimension for the Croatian side in this playoff round.

Taison has not played since coming off against Wolfsberger in early August, and the veteran is doubtful for Thursday's match.

Likewise, winger Kiril Despodov, who scored four goals and provided four assists last season, has not featured for Lucescu since pre-season.

Last season’s top scorer, Camara, started his scoring this season in the third qualifying round and aims to be decisive against Rijeka.

HNK Rijeka possible starting lineup:

Zlomislic; Lasickas, Majstorovic, Radeljic, Devetak; Dantas, Petrovic; Ndockyt, Fruk, Jankovic; Juric

PAOK possible starting lineup:

Pavlenka; Kenny, Kedziora, Michailidis, Baba; Ozdoev, Camara; Zivkovic, Ivanusec, Konstantelias; Chalov

We say: HNK Rijeka 1-0 PAOK

While PAOK defeated Rijeka in Conference League qualifying four years ago, the circumstances are different now, with the Greek side having had little recent competitive action.

As a result, the hosts are expected to record a narrow victory on Thursday before the second leg in Thessaloniki.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.