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Pafos FC will host Croatian giants HNK Hajduk Split at the Alphamega Stadium on Thursday in a decisive second leg clash in the UEFA Europa League qualifiers.
The Cypriot side, led by Albert Celades, have a lot of work to do in this second leg as they look to mount a comeback on home soil to keep their continental campaign alive.
As for the Croatian side, they head into the game brimming with confidence after taking a good advantage into the second leg and will look to finish off the hosts.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
Pafos vs. Hajduk Split key stats
- Pafos have failed to keep a clean sheet in their last three games across all competitions, including their first-leg defeat against Hajduk Split.
- Pafos FC have not won in their last four games across all competitions, registering three losses and one draw.
- Hajduk Split have managed to score at least one goal in each of their last eight games across all competitions.
Pafos vs. Hajduk Split preview: Hosts aim for comeback effort
Pafos vs. Hajduk Split — Tale of the Tape
| Pafos | vs | Hajduk Split |
|---|---|---|
| 4th | Position | 2nd |
| 62 | Points | 68 |
| 66 | Goals For | 61 |
| 38 | Goals Against | 36 |
| 15 | Clean Sheets | 14 |
| 4th/4th | Home / Away Rank | 2nd/2nd |
Pafos FC face a difficult task to overturn the first leg loss in their Europa League second qualifying round tie.
The Cypriot side trail 2-0 after last week's defeat in Croatia and must produce a strong comeback to keep their European hopes alive.
The hosts have not been at their best since their fourth-placed finish in the league last season.
Recent results have been less encouraging, with the team struggling to win games in their pre-season friendlies.
Ricardo Sa Pinto's side have managed only one win in four friendly games, losing two and drawing one.
Their recent form also affected them in the first leg of their Europa League qualifiers, as they fell to Hajduk.
Even so, returning to the Alphamega Stadium offers reason for optimism, with Pafos losing only three of their previous 16 home matches in European competition.
Hajduk Split, meanwhile, travel to Cyprus in a commanding position after securing a two-goal advantage through strikes from Michele Sego and Dario Melnjak.
The Croatian side have now won three of their four European qualifiers this summer, having already eliminated MSK Zilina 3-2 on aggregate in the previous round.
Despite their first-leg success, the visitors will be wary of their recent away record, having failed to win any of their last five competitive matches on the road.
The club have repeatedly fallen short of reaching the group or league phase of a UEFA competition despite featuring regularly in European qualifying over the past decade.
Protecting their lead in Cyprus would represent another important step towards ending that long wait.
Pafos vs. Hajduk Split form guide & betting tips
| Pafos | vs | Hajduk Split |
|---|---|---|
WDLLL |
Form | WWWLW |
| 4 | Goals For | 7 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 1 |
L |
Europa League qualifications | WLW |
Whispers predicts: Pafos 1-1 Hajduk Split
We have tipped the away team to avoid defeat in the return leg of this encounter, having taken a step closer to making the league phase of the Europa League.
They secured a two-goal cushion in the first leg, allowing them to play with less pressure for the second-leg clash.
Meanwhile, Pafos will certainly push for a comeback, but we expect the visitors to hold their ground and avoid a defeat.
The hosts have been slightly favoured by the bookmakers at 10/11 (1.91) odds to win the match in 90 minutes.
A draw is currently valued at 13/5 (3.60), while an away victory is priced at 29/10 (3.90), despite their two-goal advantage.
The option for under 2.5 goals is set at 17/20 (1.85), while both teams to score (yes) is at 3/4 (1.75).
Another option to select is away team double chance, which is also given at 17/20 (1.85) odds.
> Full-time draw at 13/5 (3.60) | Likelihood: Probable
> Both teams to score at 3/4 (1.75) | Likelihood: Probable
> Under 2.5 goals at 17/20 (1.85) | Likelihood: Possible
> Away team double chance at 17/20 (1.85) | Likelihood: Possible