PAOK Salonika and Real Betis have never met in major European competition before – the Greek side have won one of their last 11 European games against Spanish opponents (D5 L5). Real Betis’ only previous experience facing a Greek team was in the 2018-19 UEFA Europa League group stage, drawing 0-0 away and winning 1-0 at home against Olympiakos. Only Lyon (14.4) and Nottingham Forest (13.0) have a higher xG in the UEFA Europa League this season than PAOK Salonika (12.8), with the Greek side the joint top scorers on 13 goals along with Lyon and FC Midtjylland. Real Betis have won their last three UEFA Europa League games and last had a longer winning run in major European competition between 1998 and 2002 in the UEFA Cup (six games).

Source: BBC January 22, 2026 20:43 UTC