Cup in Greece Preview: PAOK Hosts Marko in Domestic Clash

THESSALONIKI, Greece (Interstat) — Greek Cup action resumes Wednesday as Super League side PAOK hosts second-division club Marko in a round of 32 matchup at Toumba Stadium.

The fixture presents a classic top-flight vs. lower-league challenge, with PAOK looking to leverage home advantage and superior resources against a Marko squad riding a recent high.

PAOK enters the contest following a disappointing 2-0 home loss to AO Karavas in domestic play last Saturday. That result snapped a brief unbeaten run in all competitions for the “Double-Headed Eagle,“ who had previously secured a 3-3 draw at Bulgarian power Ludogorets in European play and a 3-1 league win over local rival Aris Thessalonikis. Their form has been inconsistent, however, with just two wins in their last six matches across all tournaments.

Marko, competing in Greece’s Super League 2, arrives with momentum from a 2-0 victory over APO Ellas Syros last Saturday. That win helped steady a ship that had taken on water with consecutive losses to Panionios (1-0) and Levadeiakos (3-1) earlier in December. Their season has been marked by volatility, showcasing both a three-game winning streak in late November and a five-match winless run prior to that.

The statistical service Interstat projects a narrow 1-0 victory for PAOK, reflecting the expected gap in quality but also acknowledging the unpredictable nature of cup football and PAOK’s recent struggles for clean sheets.

For PAOK, the cup offers a chance to build momentum ahead of a congested schedule. Following this match, they face a crucial derby against Aris in league play on Sunday before resuming their European campaign in January with group stage matches against Real Betis and Olympique Lyonnais.

Marko will aim to replicate their resilient performance from the October league meeting between the two sides, which ended in a 1-1 draw. Their path likely depends on a stout defensive effort and capitalizing on any complacency from their more illustrious hosts.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time (1700 GMT) on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025.