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Definitely Omonia, all for all APOEL and Paphos!
The replay of the Cypriot teams in the play-offs of the European competitions will be held on Thursday night and there is great optimism for three qualification matches. Omonia are a given in the main stage of the Conferences League after a commanding 6-0 win over Zira. For the upset, APOEL and Paphos face Riga and Cluj respectively.
Omonoia crushed it and went to Azerbaijan just to get the qualification ticket. The deafening 6-0 of the first match at the GSP was not expected by anyone, especially the Zira players who succumbed to the appetites of the Greens.
The Nicosia side made history by becoming the first Cypriot to win five consecutive European competitions. This historic event was coupled with qualification to the main stage of the Confederations League, even if there is tonight's replay.
Omonia will be looking to win in Azerbaijan as well, both to extend the record and to gain even more momentum ahead of the continuation in Cyprus and Europe.
Valdas Dambrauskas is likely to make changes to give playing time to players who have had little or no playing time.
Even in this eventuality, the Greens are favourites for the double.
APOEL NICOSIA -FK RIGAS FUTBOLA SKOLA (20:00)
The defeat and especially the performance in Riga, which came immediately after the elimination of Slovan, was the swan song for David Gayego on the Apoel bench. The blue and yellow were quite mediocre in Latvia and inevitably lost 2-1.
The only positive from APOEL's performance in the Baltics was Youssef El Arabi's goal in the second half, which kept their hopes of qualifying for the main draw of the Europa League intact.
Jose Dominguez returned to the Nicosia side with the ultimate aim of getting them back on track, starting with today's second leg against Riga. In theory, APOEL is higher quality and clearly more experienced, but they will have to put those elements on the pitch and get the qualification.
The Portuguese coach counts two returnees, Petrovic and Sharfo, who will, barring the slightest chance, get a starting shirt.
As far as the odds are concerned, APOEL are favourites to win, however, there is a perfect balance for the team that will get the qualification ticket.
PAPHOS- FC CFR 1907 CLUJ (20:00)
Paphos will be hoping to celebrate their third upset in as many games in the Conferences League against Clouse. The Paphos side were beaten 1-0 in Romania and tonight at the Alfamega they aim to reverse the result.
In order to do so, Carlos Carcedo's side will need to be focused, durable and effective, as Cluj have experience and quality. They are neither Zalgiris Vilnius nor CSKA 1948. For this reason, Paphos will be called upon to do something much more difficult, which will also be historic, since in the event that they succeed, they will secure a ticket to the main stage of the Conferences League.
In Romania, Paphos missed chances, but unfortunately did not take advantage of their numerical superiority. Something they will be called upon to do tonight with the support of their fans. To score and revive their chances of qualification.
Mr. Carcedo is not expected to change much in his eleven or his approach.
At the odds, Paphos are favourites to win, but Clouse to qualify.