Prediction: Salzburg vs Pafos

Officially getting their Europa League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday evening, Salzburg will welcome Pafos to Austria for their first-leg showdown.

With Europe’s elite domestic leagues set to officially make their respective returns over the next fortnight, there are a string of eye-catching betting promotions available.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

Salzburg

Starting with the hosts, while Salzburg might have opened up the 2026/27 campaign with a last-gasp 1-0 victory against Hartberg over the weekend, Danny Rohl’s men know the importance of finding some crucial stability heading forward. Signing off last season in the midst of a public rut and mustering just one-point from any of their final four Bundesliga appearances, the former Rangers boss will have some early pressure on his shoulders. Set to get their Europa League qualifying adventure underway on Thursday evening, Salzburg have struggled to find any kind of fluidity at the Red Bull Arena. Despite being pencilled in as a standout contender in midweek, Rohl’s side have remarkably failed to register consecutive victories in front of their own supporters so far this calendar year.

Completing a permanent switch from Portuguese outfit Estoril this summer, Togo international Kevin Boma will start at the heart of Salzburg’s defence on Thursday evening.

Coming off the bench and bagging a last-gasp winner against Hartberg over the weekend, Ivory Coast youngster Karim Konate should get some more minutes under his belt. Featuring for Bosnia & Herzegovina this summer, Haris Tabakovic could make his full Salzburg debut here.

As for the visitors, mounting an essential second-leg comeback against Hajduk Split last week as they eventually extended on their respective Europa League qualifying adventure, Pafos will be looking to collect another notable scalp. Dragging themselves to a sensational 4-0 romp at the Stelios Kyriakides Stadium, Ricardo Sa Pinto’s side will be dreaming of a repeat performance on foreign soil. However, pencilled in as a major underdog contender in midweek, Pafos have struggled to find any kind of stability on their travels. In fact, continuing on from last season, Thursday’s guests have remarkably clinched just a single competitive victory on the road since the start of April. Likewise, Pinto’s men have mustered back-to-back away wins on just a single occasion so far this calendar year.

Now entering his second campaign at the Stelios Kyriakides Stadium, former Brazil international and Chelsea superstar David Luiz will start at the heart of Pafos’ defence on Thursday evening.

Bagging a maiden Europa League strike against Hajduk Split last week, summer recruit and one-time Benfica youngster Guga will start in the middle of the park. Completing a season-long loan switch from Sporting Lisbon this summer, Brazilian attacker Biel could play a leading role in the middle of the park.

Salzburg vs Pafos Key Factors to Consider

• Thursday’s first-leg showdown at the Red Bull Arena will be the first competitive meeting between Salzburg and Pafos.
• Rohl’s side have remarkably failed to register consecutive victories in front of their own supporters so far this calendar year.
• Pafos have secured back-to-back wins away from the Stelios Kyriakides Stadium on just a single occasion so far this calendar year.
• Continuing on from last season, Salzburg have failed to register more than a single strike in all of their last five straight Bundesliga battles.
• Extending on from the summer break, Pafos have recorded a clean sheet in three of their previous four competitive appearances.

While Salzburg might have opened up the new Bundesliga campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory at home against Hartberg, the Austrian heavyweights are still searching for some kind of fluidity in the final third. Continuing on from last season, Thursday’s hosts have failed to notch more than a single strike in all of their last five consecutive domestic showdowns. Likewise, with Pafos registering a clean sheet in three of their last four competitive battles on either side of the summer interval, we could be set for a nail-biting Europa League qualifying contest in midweek.

Verdict: Both teams to score – No

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