PAOK B come into this match on the back of the away victory in Aridea against Almopos, and so obviously are preparing for the game with optimism and anticipation – let’s also not overlook the fact that the Double-headed Eagle have played 10 games so far, while AEL have played 13.

The team held its final pre-match training session on Friday morning at Souroti and left for Larissa in the afternoon. The coaching staff do not face any fresh injury problems, with the exception of Giorgos Koulouris, who remains sidelined, and Brandonic, who has returned to training is still not yet match-fit. Oendraogo is also missing as he is representing Burkina Faso in the quarter-finals of the African Cup of Nations on Saturday.

The PAOK B squad selected includes the following players: Talichmanidis, Bourganis, Panagiotou, Tsopouroglou, Tsaousis, Koulierakis, Kaloutsikidis, Manolioudis, Apostolopoulos, Tachatos, Giaxis, Salamouras, Meletidis, Grosdis, Chatzistravos, Tzimas, Spiridis.