Pass, pass, pass, pass.

PAOK are dominating the ball.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Toumba Stadium

The atmosphere is crackling in the Toumba Stadium. The home fans creating a sea of noise.

Not sure it feels like the intimidating cauldron we have heard about, perhaps more an atmosphere to be embraced by the Aberdeen players.

However, I'm sitting up in the gods, it might feel a whole lot more intimidating at pitch level.

Away we go in part one of tonight's double-header.

If this is anything like the game these two played out last month, we're in for a madness.

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It's now almost 16 years since the Dons last won in a European group stage, a 4-0 victory over Copenhagen in the Uefa Cup back in 2007.

Ending that wait in Greece would inject serious life into their slim hopes of progressing.

But it's going to be tough. Really, really tough. Just ask the Jambos, who took a bit of a sore one in Greece in August, losing 4-0 in Conference League qualifying.

In fact, PAOK have lost only three of their 20 matches in all competitions this term and have won all three of their group games.

They made it all the way to the quarter-finals of this competition in 2021-22.

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Toumba Stadium

While Bojan Miovski being on the bench is the big headline from an Aberdeen point of view, what an opportunity for Duk to show what he can do on the big stage.

He's scored just twice in 17 games this season. This would be quite the time and occasion to rediscover his top form.

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Aberdeen manager Barry Robson says it's "a bit of both" when asked whether dropping Bojan Miovski is a fitness or tactical issue.

"We need to be careful with Bojan," he adds on TNT Sports. "We've had a couple of knocks and we need to be careful with some players.

"The games have taken their toll on us, but he's fine to come off the bench if we need him. Hopefully Duk has a real good night."

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Incidentally, PAOK have also benched their top scorer in Europe.

Andrija Zivkovic has four goals, just like Bojan Miovski, but is among the substitutes this evening for the hosts.

Willie Miller
Former Aberdeen captain on BBC Sportsound

I think Aberdeen have performed at times in games and performed poorly in the same games. It's been a mixed bag.

Aberdeen's biggest opportunity is taking advantage when they've played at home, but they haven't done that. When you can't beat Helsinki at home, I think you've got issues.

It's going have to be top notch from individuals and the team to get anything out of the game tonight.

There's no doubting who Aberdeen's main man has been this term.

Bojan Miovski, Saturday's Hampden match-winner, is the Dons' top scorer this season with 10 goals, four of which have come in Europe.

But there's no place for him in the starting XI tonight. Will be interesting to hear what Barry Robson says about that.

Image source, BBC/SNS

Tyrone Smith
BBC Scotland at Toumba Stadium

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Aberdeen are very much drinking in last chance saloon as far as their hopes of progressing from the Conference League group stage are concerned.

The Dons have performed pretty well on the continental stage this season, but that hasn’t been reflected by their results or indeed their haul of points.

They have taken just one point from their opening three games and this evening’s challenge is a particularly tough one against a PAOK side who are top of Group G and unbeaten at home this season.

Aberdeen will have travelled in a pretty positive frame of mind, having won their last two games, the most recent of which was their League Cup semi-final victory over Hibs.

And they were written off going in to their group opener against Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, yet Barry Robson’s side gave their hosts an almighty scare with the Bundesliga side undoubtedly relieved to emerge with a narrow 2-1 win.

Rory Loy
Former Dundee and St Mirren forward on BBC Sportsound

I'm yet to be convinced Aberdeen have a team that can compete in Europe. However, I did feel that way before the Frankfurt game, where they performed admirably.

Aberdeen are capable of coming here and giving PAOK problems. They can still qualify but it's unlikely. I get the feeling if they concede a couple of goals, it could get really ugly.

Aberdeen could be officially dumped out of Europe this evening.

If they fail to beat PAOK, they will be unable to catch the Greek side.

Meanwhile, if Eintracht Frankfurt win in Helsinki, they'll also guarantee a place in the top two.

Two changes for Aberdeen following Saturday's semi-final success.

One of the switches is a big one as Bojan Miovski drops to the bench and is replaced by Duk.

A knock or a rest for the Dons' main man?

The final change sees teenager midfielder Ryan Duncan come in for Leighton Clarkson.

Image source, SNS

PAOK XI: Kotarski, Vieirinha, Troost-Ekong, Koulierakis, Baba, Tsingaras, Schwab, Despodov, Konstantelias, Taison, Brandon.

Substitutes: Z Zivkovic, Michailidis, Meite, Murg, A Zivkovic, Kedziora, Lyratzis, Ozdoev, Vrakas, Samatta, Rafa Soares, Tzimas.

Aberdeen XI: Roos, Devlin, Rubezic, Gartenmann, Jensen, MacKenzie, Duncan, Shinnie, Barron, McGrath, Duk.

Substitutes: Doohan, Miovski, Clarkson, Gueye, Hayes, Williams, Sokler, Polvara, MacDonald. Milne, Dadia, Marshall.

Image source, SNS

Europa (Conference) League Thursdays, cannae beat it.

Viaplay Cup finalists Aberdeen and Rangers are Scotland's European representatives this evening.

No chat about ticket splits, I promise, just straight up football.

We're in Greece first, let's get the team news...

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