The second leg of the 2024/25 Europa Conference League Round of 16 between Djurgården (Sweden) and Pafos (Cyprus) will take place on March 13 at the Avicii Arena in Stockholm. The first match ended 1-0 in favor of Pafos. Djurgården vs. Pafos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Djurgården
The Swedes lost the first match 0-1, ending a four-game winning streak in the Conference League. Prior to this, Djurgården had scored in 10 consecutive matches in this tournament. To advance to the next round, Janne Honkavaara's side needs to defeat the Cypriots by at least two goals. However, the club managed to win with the required margin only once during the group stage. Notably, in the previous Conference League Round of 16, the Swedes also lost the first match and ultimately failed to progress.
- Both teams scored in 5 of Djurgården's last 7 matches in this European competition.
- At home, the Swedes have won 5 of their last 6 Conference League matches (1 loss).
- The team has not conceded more than one goal in 5 of their last 6 home games in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Djurgården (4-5-1)
Malcolm Nilsson Säfqvist – Miro Tenho, Keita Kosugi, Adam Ståhl, Jacob Une Larsson – Rasmus Schüller, Patrik Åslund, Tobias Gulliksen, Oscar Fallenius, Nino Zugelj – Tokmac Chol Nguen
Defender Markus Danielsson is suspended.
Pafos
By winning the first leg, Juan Carlos Carcedo's side extended their unbeaten run in the Conference League to five matches (3 wins, 2 draws). However, the Cypriots managed to keep a clean sheet for the first time in their last four games in this tournament. To reach the quarter-finals, Pafos needs only to avoid defeat in the second leg. If the club loses by a single goal, extra time will ensue. Additionally, Pafos has taken more shots than any other team in this Conference League edition – 151.
- The Cypriots have scored in 7 consecutive Conference League matches.
- Away from home, the team has not won in 6 of their 7 matches in this European competition (2 draws, 4 losses).
- Both teams scored in 6 of Pafos' last 7 away matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Pafos (4-4-2)
Ivica Ivušić – Derrick Luckassen, David Gómez Goldar, Ken Sema, Jonathan Silva – Pepe Rodrigues, Vlad Dragomir, Ivan Šunjić, Bruno Souza Silva – Jairo da Silva, Muamer Tanković.
Referee
Sebastian Gishamer (Austria)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 46;
Average yellow cards per match – 4.6;
Red cards shown – 5;
Average fouls per match – 24;
Penalties – 20%.
Match Prediction: Djurgården vs. Pafos
A narrow defeat leaves the Swedes with a good chance of advancing to the Conference League quarter-finals. At home, the team has been impressive, winning 11 of 14 matches (3 losses). Djurgården's success is largely due to their strong attacking play: they have failed to score in only one home game in the Conference League. In 9 instances, the Swedes have scored at least twice. However, they concede regularly, with goals allowed in 6 of their last 8 home games in the tournament.
The Cypriots, on the other hand, have been unconvincing away from home. Pafos has just one away win in the Conference League (2 draws, 4 losses). Even in the match they won, the team failed to keep a clean sheet. Thus, Pafos has not recorded a single away game without conceding in the Conference League. With such defensive statistics, maintaining their advantage will be challenging.
Considering these factors, my prediction: Djurgården will not lose and Total Over 1.5 goals
