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RB Salzburg take a one-goal lead into the second leg of their Europa League third qualifying round tie against Pafos at the Alphamega Stadium on Thursday evening.
The visitors won the first leg 1-0 on home soil, and another positive result would see them progress to the next stage.
However, despite playing their home games in a different stadium to what they are used to, Pafos are aiming to overturn the deficit and play in European competition for another season.
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. RB Salzburg key stats
- Pafos have lost four of their last five games in all competitions (W1).
- In contrast, Salzburg have won four of their previous five matches (D1).
- Salzburg reached the league phase of the Europa League last season.
Pafos vs. RB Salzburg preview: Salzburg to progress?
Pafos vs Salzburg — Tale of the Tape
| Pafos | vs | Salzburg |
|---|---|---|
| 4th (Cypriot First Division) | Position | 5th (Austrian Bundesliga) |
| 62 | Points | 4 |
| 66 | Goals For | 2 |
| 38 | Goals Against | 1 |
| 15 | Clean Sheets | 1 |
| 4th | Home / Away Rank | 4th |
Having tasted Champions League football last season, Pafos will be keen to play in Europe once more.
However, they have it all to do in the second leg to turn the tie around, and they will be without Ken Sema, was sent off in the first leg.
Ricardo Sa Pinto is already under some pressure with Pafos having lost four of their previous five matches across all competitions (W1), but the fact that they are only a goal down and playing the home leg will give them some encouragement.
Unlike Salzburg, Pafos' domestic season is yet to begin, after finishing fourth in the Cypriot First Division last term.
The visitors have played twice in the Austrian Bundesliga so far and have picked up four points, while also reaching the next round of the domestic cup.
Salzburg finished third last campaign to qualify for the Europa League, where they played in the league phase in 2025/26.
However, Danny Rohl will be determined to do better than his predecessor should his team get there again, after finishing in 31st.
However, he will have to do so without as many as seven players, who are all ruled out or injury doubts.
Pafos vs. RB Salzburg form guide & betting tips
| Pafos | vs | Salzburg |
|---|---|---|
LLLWL |
Form | WWWWD |
| 6 | Goals For | 15 |
| 7 | Goals Against | 2 |
LWL |
Europa League | W |
Whispers predicts: Pafos 0-1 RB Salzburg
Salzburg are favourites with bookmakers, and based on their superior form, we are happy to back Salzburg to win at 5/4 (2.25).
BTTS – No at 6/5 (2.20) is our next pick, as the Austrians have only conceded twice across their last five games in all competitions.
Overall, we can see another tight match with Salzburg just nicking it again, and so our final punt is Correct score – 0-1 at 8/1 (9.00).
> BTTS – No at 6/5 (2.20) | Likelihood: Possible
> Salzburg to win at 5/4 (2.25) | Likelihood: Possible
> Correct score – 0-1 at 8/1 (9.00) | Likelihood: Outsider