APOEL vs FC Astana prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2024-12-18 20:00.
[p]APOEL failed to win either of their first two games in this UEFA Conference League campaign (D1, L1), but have won all three in the competition since then to at least guarantee a play-off spot. Ahead of this final round of league-phase fixtures, they are outside the top eight automatic qualification places on goal difference, but given the number of teams in those eight spots within their reach, theyâll fancy their chances of breaking into that section of the table with a victory here.[/p]
[p]As they attempt to make it into the knockout stage of a UEFA competition for the first time since the 2019/20 season, the reigning Cypriot First Division champions have been kept scoreless in just one of their five league phase matches to this point. Netting the opener in each of the other four, including in all three of their victories, APOEL havenât been involved in a European game thatâs been decided by a 3+ goal margin in more than two years![/p]
[p]Thursdayâs visitors Astana still have work to do if theyâre to reach the play-offs, with Grigory Babayanâs men sitting a point outside the top 24 pre-round, having won just one of their five league phase matches (D1, L3). To make matters worse, that sole success came back on matchday one in October, while on their travels, the Kazakhstan Premier League outfit have lost both such games âto nilâ so far.[/p]
[p]A 1-0 defeat in Cyprus to Pafos is included in that run, and having also failed to win any of their three previous away H2Hs against APOEL (D1, L2), the omens donât appear positive here for Astana. If Babayanâs side are to pull off a shock though, theyâll likely need to score first, having done so before half-time in both Conference League games in which theyâve picked up points so far this term.[/p]
[p]Players to watch: David Abagna has netted APOELâs final goal in two Conference League games already, and was on target again in domestic action last weekend. Maks Ebong meanwhile has been booked in three of his last four appearances for club and country, with all three cautions received in the second half.[/p]
[p]Hot stat: Five of the pairâs previous six H2Hs have seen a win for the home team on the day.[/p]
[p][i]Written by Ben Olawumi[/i][/p]