Hearts vs Omonia prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-10-23 16:45.
[p]Under new management, Heart of Midlothian are looking to make it back-to-back wins for the first time in the UEFA Conference League after coming from behind to beat Dinamo Minsk 2-1 on matchday one. They will welcome Omonia Nicosia to Edinburgh in high spirits after thrashing St Mirren 4-0 at Tynecastle at the weekend in what was Neil Critchley’s first game as head coach. [/p]
[p]That triumph has opened up the possibility of successive home victories for the first time since May. Last Saturday’s 4-0 win was the first match in which Hearts had managed to score more than once at their own ground in any competition this season, while it was also their first competitive clean sheet at any venue since holding Rangers to a goalless draw on the opening weekend of the Scottish Premiership campaign.[/p]
[p]Omonia started this matchday in second place in the Conference League standings following their 4-0 thrashing of Icelandic side VĂkingur ReykjavĂk to make it nine wins from their last 11 games in this competition, including qualifiers (L2). It’s worth noting those two defeats have both come away from home, with the first of those results preventing them from reaching the group stage last season.[/p]
[p]Since brushing VĂkingur aside, Omonia’s domestic title hopes have suffered two significant blows following back-to-back losses without scoring, including against league minnows Enosis Neon Paralimni. Manager Valdas Dambrauskas took full responsibility and apologised publicly to the supporters last weekend for their domestic woes, but he can win supporters back here by becoming the first boss in the club’s history to avoid defeat against a British outfit (L6). [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Since the victory over Dinamo Minsk, Blair Spittal has scored in consecutive matches and will now be aiming to find the net in three straight games for the first time since May 2017. Omonia centre back Senou Coulibaly will be keeping tabs on the Scot, whilst also perhaps hoping to get on the scoresheet for the fourth time in his last five appearances, having already registered his best goals tally for a single season in his entire career (five)![/p]
[p]Hot stat: Only two of Omonia’s last 12 games in all competitions saw both teams score. [/p]
[p][i]Written by Alex Bowmer[/i][/p]