Prediction: Pafos vs Salzburg

Holding a slender advantage, Salzburg will travel to Cyprus on Thursday evening when they meet Pafos for their second-leg showdown.

With the rest of Europe’s elite set to make their respective returns over the next fortnight, there are plenty of attractive betting promotions available.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Starting with the hosts, while Pafos might have put in a largely spirited performance over in Austria last week, Ricardo Sa Pinto’s camp were hit with late heartbreak on foreign soil. Eventually falling to a last-gasp 1-0 loss, the Blues have a real job on their hands here. Signing off their summer preparations with a rollercoaster 3-2 defeat against Slovan Bratislava last month, the Paphos-based outfit have shown some major inconsistencies on either side of the pre-season break. It should be highlighted, the former Braga boss has seen his squad register consecutive victories on just a single occasion since back in February. Likewise, extending on from their summer plans, Pafos have lost four of their previous five appearances across all competitions.

Shown a late red card over in Austria last week, former Watford midfielder Ken Sema will miss out through suspension on Thursday evening. One-time Benfica youngster Pepe should be handed a full recall in the middle of the park.

Now entering his second campaign in Cyprus, ex-Chelsea and Arsenal superstar David Luis will start at the heart of Pafos’ defence in midweek. Making a permanent switch from Sporting Lisbon this summer, 21-year-old Alexandre Brito will start at right-back.

Salzburg

As for the visitors, dragging themselves to what could be a crucial first-leg advantage last week, Salzburg will be looking to officially extend on their Europa League qualifying adventure with another professional performance. Despite being left frustrated over the weekend as they were eventually forced to settle for a 1-1 stalemate away at Wolfsberger, Danny Rohl’s men have enjoyed a bright start to the 2026/27 campaign. With their sights fixed on mounting a genuine Bundesliga title charge this season, the former Sheffield Wednesday boss should also be excited by his side’s new-found defensive grit. In fact, Salzburg have shipped just a single strike in over 300 minutes of action across all competitions. However, continuing on from last season, Thursday’s guests have failed to notch more than a single strike in seven of their previous eight competitive battles.

All still dealing with respective injury issues, Salzburg will travel to Cyprus on Thursday evening without the likes of Justin Omoregie, Anrie Chase, Soumaila Diabate and former Borussia Monchengladbach defender Stefan Lainer.

Coming off the bench and bagging a maiden Bundesliga strike of the season against Wolfsberger last weekend, Belgium marksman Yorbe Vertessen should lead the line here. Summer recruit Abubakar Barry will start in the middle of the park.

Pafos vs Salzburg Key Factors to Consider

• When Pafos and Salzburg met for their first-leg showdown in Austria last week, Thursday’s guests clinched a late 1-0 victory at the Red Bull Arena.
• Salzburg have shipped just a single strike in over 300 minutes of action across all competitions.
• However, extending on from last season, the Red Bulls have failed to notch more than a single strike in seven of their previous eight competitive battles.
• Continuing on from their summer preparations, Pafos have lost four of their last five appearances across all competitions.
• Seven of Pafos’ last eight competitive matchups have finished with under 2.5 goals after 90 minutes.

Watching Salzburg drag themselves over the finishing line last week as they snatched a 1-0 victory on home soli, don’t be surprised to see another nail-biting affair here. While the Red Bulls might have shipped just a sole strike in over 300 minutes of action, they have struggled to find much of a clinical edge in the final third. It should be highlighted, Thursday’s guests have notched more than a single goal in just one of their last eight competitive matchups.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

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