The battle of Cyprus continues on the continental stage on Thursday night, when top-tier outfits Pafos FC and Omonia clash at Alphamega Stadium for the second leg of their Conference League knockout phase playoff.
Both of these sides are boasting remarkable unbeaten streaks heading into this all-important clash, although someone must be kicked out of Europe between the pair by the end of play in Kolossi.
Match preview
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Only formed in the middle of 2014 as a merger of two fallen clubs, Pafos have enjoyed a quick rise to the relative summit of the Cypriot game, with Thursday night's hosts looking to reach the last 16 of the Conference League during what is their first-ever European campaign.
A fifth-placed finish in the top flight hardly set the world alight last term, but a maiden major trophy for the club in the form of a Cyprus Cup allowed the Skaliotes to enter the Europa League qualifying rounds, before eventually dropping down to the League Phase of the Conference League.
Since a narrow 1-0 defeat at the home of Aris Limassol on the domestic front on January 11, Pafos have enjoyed an eight-game unbeaten run across all competitions, a spell which includes a 1-0 victory over Apollon Limassol in the league on Sunday, when midfielder Pepe bagged the only goal of the contest.
With an all-Cypriot clash on the menu for Thursday at Alphamega Stadium, the Skaliotes are certainly the favourites for success considering their domestic form, with Juan Carlos Carcedo's troops currently top of the first division, 10 points ahead of Omonia in third spot.
With the idea of the tie being decided by penalties a distinct possibility this week, Pafos will draw confidence from the fact that they have successfully navigated two-such situations in the Cyprus Cup already this calendar year, with the holders squeezing past the attentions of both Aris Limassol and APOEL Nicosia from 12 yards.
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Dwarfing the achievements of their humble hosts, Omonia have lifted the top-tier title of Cyprus on 22 occasions since their first success in 1961, although Thursday night's visitors find themselves on an equal footing with the European newcomers ahead of the second leg.
Following a goalless first period at Neo GSP, it looked as if the Shamrock had snatched a first-leg advantage when Willy Semedo netted from the penalty spot, but the visitors were not done just yet, with former Dinamo Zagreb and Southampton attacker Mislav Orsic scoring off the bench.
Outdoing Pafos in one metric at least, Omonia are currently basking in the glory of a nine-game unbeaten streak across all competitions, with their most recent competitive defeat arriving back on January 7, when they suffered a shocking two-goal loss to top-flight minnows Anorthosis Famagusta.
The Shamrock have endured two away defeats in the Conference League to date, getting dispatched 2-0 by Scottish Premiership outfit Hearts at Tynecastle Park in October, just a fortnight before an unsuccessful trip to Belgium, where Gent managed a narrow victory over the Cypriots.
Both sides commenced their December schedules this season with a top-flight battle at Alphamega Stadium, where a 96th-minute winner from former Manchester City and Inter Milan striker Stevan Jovetic secured maximum points for Valdas Dambrauskas's Omonia.
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Team News
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After failing to hold his nerve from 12 yards last week, winger Muamer Tankovic will be desperate to make amends for Pafos this time around.
Croatian striker Orsic should be promoted to the XI following his goalscoring cameo, whilst Ken Sema could also make the starting side after providing the game-equalising assist.
As a result, the places of Brazilian duo Jairo and Jaja are under threat, with the latter likely to make way for former Saints star Orsic.
Saving a penalty during the second half of the first leg, Fabiano is set to remain in between the sticks for Omonia on Thursday night when the tie will be decided.
The Skaliotes' leading goalscorer domestically, Saidou Alioum made an impression off the bench last time out and could earn a starting spot for the second leg.
Pafos FC possible starting lineup:
Ivusic; Felipe, Sarlija, Goldar, Silva; Sema, Sunjic, Pepe, Tankovic; Orsic, Dragomir
Omonia possible starting lineup:
Fabiano; Dionkou, Coulibaly, Panayiotou, Khammas; Erakovic, Maric, Jovetic; Alioum, Semedo, Kakoullis
We say: Pafos FC 2-1 Omonia (Pafos FC win 3-2 on aggregate)
After snatching a draw during the first match last Thursday, Cypriot leaders Pafos will be confident of getting the job done in front of their own supporters.
Omonia have recent history of dramatically securing success at Alphamega Stadium, although we feel that Jovetic and company will be unable to repeat the trick in this one.
For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.
Carter White
