Lugano vs Pafos prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-18 20:00.
[p]It’s looking increasingly likely that Lugano will automatically qualify out of a group/league phase in Europe for the first time as they start this final matchday fifth and two points clear of the play-off spots in the UEFA Conference League table. That’s thanks to impressive form in the competition so far (W4, L1), with their most recent win last week a come-from-behind success at Legia Warsaw (2-1). [/p]
[p]The Swiss outfit couldn’t follow that up with domestic success this past weekend however, falling to a heavy 4-1 loss at home to fellow title rivals Lausanne-Sport. That was a first competitive home loss in ten outings (W6, D3), so manager Mattia Croci-Torti should be confident his side can bounce back here as they welcome Cypriot outfit Pafos. [/p]
[p]Pafos (W3, L2) are assured of an unseeded spot in the Conference League knockout play-off round, but are only a point adrift of the top-eight so will be highly motivated to secure a victory here. They did win in the competition last time out against Celje (2-0), but backing that up on the road looks a tall order for a side who have lost four of their five Conference League away matches this term(W1), although all four defeats came by a single-goal margin. [/p]
[p]There is a psychological barrier for the visitors to overcome then, but they did grab a third successive win in all competitions this past weekend which will have lifted spirits. That victory away to Nea Salamis was their third by the same 2-0 scoreline, and with two of their three opening goals from that run coming inside ten minutes, don’t be shocked to see another fast start from Juan Carlos Carcedo’s men here. [/p]
[p]Players to watch: Renato Steffen has scored three goals across his past four competitive home appearances for Lugano, but has been making headlines for the wrong reasons more recently with two yellow cards in his past two matches. Pafos’ Jairo has scored in each of his side’s past three away matches, with two opening the scoring for his team. [/p]
[p]Hot streak: Lugano have scored at least once in all 14 competitive home games they have played this season. [/p]
[p][i]Written by David H[/i][/p]