The first leg of the 2024/25 Europa League playoff between Omonia (Cyprus) and Pafos (Cyprus) will take place on February 13 at the Neo GSP Stadium in Nicosia. Omonia vs. Pafos: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Omonia
Yannis Anastasiou's team drew 0-0 away against Bosnian side Borac in their last Conference League match. As a result, Omonia managed to avoid defeat for the second consecutive game in the Conference League, following a 3-1 victory over Rapid. The draw helped the team secure a spot in the playoffs; a loss would have left them out of the top 24 in the standings. Ultimately, Omonia finished the group stage in 22nd place, earning the right to play in the playoffs.
- The team has avoided defeat in regular time in 9 of their last 10 home matches in the Conference League (7 wins, 2 draws).
- At least one of the opponents failed to score in 5 of Omonia's last 7 home matches in this European competition.
- Omonia has scored at least three goals in regular time in 4 of their last 6 home matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Omonia (4-2-3-1)
Fabiano Freitas – Alpha Dionkou, Ameen Hammas, Senu Koulibaly, Filip Helander – Ioannis Kousoulos, Charalambos Charalambous – Veljko Simic, Willy Semedo, Loizos Loizou – Andronikos Kakoullis.
Pafos
In the last round of the group stage, Juan Carlos Carcedo's side drew 2-2 away against Lugano. This was Pafos' first draw after three wins and two draws, and it was also the third consecutive Conference League match in which the club scored at least two goals. Notably, with a maximum result, the team would have reached the top 8 in the standings and advanced directly to the Round of 16, but they finished the group stage in 12th place and will play in the playoffs.
Defenders Derrick Luckassen and Joao Correia are suspended for this match.
- The club has not won in regular time in 5 of their last 6 away matches in the Conference League (1 draw, 4 losses).
- At least three goals have been scored in 5 of Pafos' last 6 away matches in this European competition.
- Both teams scored in regular time in 5 of Pafos' last 6 away matches in the Conference League.
Predicted lineup for Pafos (4-1-4-1)
Neofytos Michael – David Gomez Goldar, Derrick Luckassen, Joao Correia, Rafael Pontelo – Pepe Rodrigues – Vlad Dragomir, Ivan Sunjic, Bruno Souza Silva, Muamer Tankovic – Anderson Oliveira Silva.
Referee
Simone Sozza (Italy)
Matches – 10 (International matches, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 51;
Average yellow cards per match – 5.1;
Red cards shown – 0;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 60%.
Omonia vs. Pafos: Match Prediction
On their home turf, the team from Nicosia performs confidently and prefers an attacking style of play. In home European matches, Omonia rarely struggles with scoring: in their last eight home Conference League matches, the club has only once left the field without scoring. Moreover, in five of these matches, the team scored at least three times.
Pafos also doesn't sit back defensively and has shown impressive attacking prowess in their debut Conference League season: including the qualifiers, Juan Carlos Carcedo's team played six away matches in this European competition and only failed to score in one of them. Furthermore, during the group stage, the club scored eight goals in three away games – only Chelsea had a better record.
I believe both Cypriot teams will deliver an entertaining and high-scoring match. My prediction: Both teams to score – Yes
