Europe - Europa League
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by Daniel Ngulu in Europa League Predictions
Cypriots APOEL will hope to avoid a second elimination from Europe when they welcome Rigas for their Europa League encounter. On Thursday 29th August the two sides face off in the return leg of their play-off round tie.
Heading into this game Rigas have a slim lead, having won 2-1 at home. Read on for our preview and prediction of the match. Despite going into the first leg encounter as the underdogs, Rigas put up a strong defensive showing to frustrate APOEL.
They had the lesser possession but made good use of it, eventually punishing their higher ranked opponents. A repeat of that will see Rigas claim a place in the league phase of the Europa League. As for APOEL, playing at home is a chance to right the wrongs from the first leg.
APOEL had only five shots on target in Latvia despite dominating possession and are now faced with a must-win situation.
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The Best Betting Odds for Apoel Nicosia v FK RFS Match
| Bookmaker | 1 | X | 2 | Bonus up to |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 | 1.04 | 17 |
|
|
1.57 | 3.6 | 5 |
|
|
5 | 1.22 | 11 |
|
|
1.91 | 2.62 | 4.8 |
|
|
1.6 | 4 | 5.3 |
|
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What is the prediction for the football match between Apoel Nicosia and FK RFS?
Our prediction for the Apoel Nicosia vs FK RFS match is: Both teams to score.
Probabilities according to our algorithm* of possible 1X2 football predictions and best odds for the match on 29/08/2024 between Apoel Nicosia and FK RFS in Europa League :
- The Sportytrader ⭐ algorithm estimates a probability of 26.5% for a win of Apoel Nicosia against FK RFS with odds of 16.8 at 22bet.
- The probability according to Sportytrader ⭐ for a draw between Apoel Nicosia vs FK RFS is 21.66% with odds of 4.18 at Melbet.
- Our prediction model gives a 51.85% chance ⭐ for a win of FK RFS vs Apoel Nicosia with odds of 101 at Betfair.
Apoel Nicosia - FK RFS Prediction and Best Odds:
| Apoel Nicosia FK RFS Prediction | Probability | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| FK RFS wins | 51.85% | 101 at Betfair |
| Under 2.5 | 52.77% | 1.95 at Bet365 |
| Both Team To Score | 37.5% | |
| Half-time / Full-time: FK RFS/FK RFS | 19.86% | 15 at Betfair |
Apoel Nicosia vs FK RFS Form
Apoel Nicosia and FK RFS Last Matches
1/6 (17%)
3/6 (50%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
22 Aug 2024 - Europa League
13 Aug 2024 - Champions League
7 Aug 2024 - Champions League
30 Jul 2024 - Champions League
23 Jul 2024 - Champions League
17 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
13 Aug 2024 - Champions League
23 Jul 2024 - Champions League
11 May 2024 - Cyta Championship
21 Apr 2024 - Cyta Championship
7 Apr 2024 - Cyta Championship
16 Mar 2024 - Cyta Championship
0/6 (0%)
4/6 (67%)
2/6 (33%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
22 Aug 2024 - Europa League
7 Aug 2024 - Champions League
30 Jul 2024 - Champions League
17 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
9 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
4 Jul 2024 - Clubs Friendlies
5/6 (83%)
1/6 (17%)
0/6 (0%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
25 Aug 2024 - Virsliga
22 Aug 2024 - Europa League
17 Aug 2024 - Cup
14 Aug 2024 - Europa League
11 Aug 2024 - Virsliga
8 Aug 2024 - Europa League
5/6 (83%)
0/6 (0%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
22 Aug 2024 - Europa League
14 Aug 2024 - Europa League
11 Aug 2024 - Virsliga
4 Aug 2024 - Virsliga
31 Jul 2024 - Champions League
13 Jul 2024 - Cup
4/6 (67%)
1/6 (17%)
1/6 (17%)
Average stats (Last 6 matchs)
25 Aug 2024 - Virsliga
17 Aug 2024 - Cup
8 Aug 2024 - Europa League
27 Jul 2024 - Virsliga
23 Jul 2024 - Champions League
17 Jul 2024 - Champions League
Apoel Nicosia vs FK RFS Stats: Head to Head (H2H)
22 Aug 2024 - Europa League
Apoel Nicosia - FK RFS: Form Analysis
A rare defensive error from Rigas in the first leg allowed APOEL to sneak in a consolation goal. That strike could prove crucial in this leg, if APOEL make their possession football count.
The defeat in Latvia left them without a win in four straight games and APOEL’s work is cut out. A poor run in attack was to blame for their elimination from the Champions League and APOEL must do better here.
They failed to score in two of their last three matches and they haven't scored more than a goal in the last seven. With a run of four home matches unbeaten, however, APOEL can afford to stay positive ahead of this game.
Generally, they have a good run at home, losing just twice in the last 21 matches in Nicosia.
Without a win in their last four matches, APOEL are in danger of elimination.
Rigas, like APOEL, were eliminated from the Champions League but have taken it in stride and are on a good run coming here. In their last seven matches, they are unbeaten since losing 3-1 to Bodo/Glimt in the Champions League.
Rigas’ defensive showing in the first leg was not a fluke, they have four clean sheets in their last six matches. Having scored in six of their last seven matches, they will pose a big threat to APOEL, who must go out and attack.
The visitors’ only failed to score in their last outing, a 0-0 draw with Riga in the Latvian league. Before that they had hit the back of the net in 23 matches. In their three Europa League matches this season alone, Rigas have scored 11 goals and conceded once.
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Apoel Nicosia against FK RFS Lineups: Starting 11
Formation : 4 - 4 - 1 - 1
Formation : 3 - 4 - 1 - 2
Apoel Nicosia & FK RFS Squad Analysis
After serving suspension, APOEL will welcome back defender Radosav Petrovic. The center-back should go straight into the team and the home side should be stronger at the back. Youssef El Arabi, scorer of their only goal in the first leg, is set to earn another starting berth here.
No injuries have been reported from the first leg meeting so we expect minimal changes.
APOEL are expected to be stronger defensively, but must also attack.
Rigas will be more inclined to defend here again. They did well in the home leg and will hope to replicate the same. The visitors will have to do it without Petr Mares, who only lasted 38 minutes in their league game with Riga.
Dmitrijs Zelenkovs replaced him and should keep his place in this game.
Most goals and assists
Apoel Nicosia
FK RFS
El Arabi
(13 Goals)
R. Savalnieks
(1 Goals)
, 
A. Markhiyev
(1 Goals)
, 
Z. Lipuscek
(1 Goals)
,
J. Ikaunieks
(1 Goals)
, 
L. Odisharia
(1 Goals)
S. Tejera
(3 Assists)
J. Ikaunieks
(1 Assists)
, 
S. Panic
(1 Assists)
Apoel Nicosia - FK RFS Key Points
- Rigas have scored 11 goals in three Europa League games this season.
- In two of Rigas’ last three matches both teams scored.
- Rigas failed to score once in their last 24 competitive matches.
- Both teams scored in two of APOEL’s last four matches.
- In three of APOEL’s last four matches they kept one clean sheet.
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Our Apoel Nicosia vs FK RFS Prediction
APOEL’s biggest undoing as seen in their recent matches has been their defence. They have shown a serious shortage in match sharpness perhaps due to the fact they are just starting their season. As for Rigas, with more than 30 matches in their season, they have been sharp in recent matches.
They are doing well defensively, and their attack is as incisive as they come. However, with APOEL playing at home, we can’t rule out a goal or two from them. We still expect an end-to-end match but our prediction for APOEL v Rigas is for both teams to score.
Apoel Nicosia vs FK RFS - Other Interesting Predictions
Rigas to win
While APOEL should have an upper hand at home, we still expect their lack of match fitness to show. Rigas executed their game plan well in the first leg and we are backing the same here. Given the two teams’ recent forms, our second prediction is for Rigas to win.
Last Minute: Pre-match odds analysis Apoel Nicosia FK RFS
| Apoel Nicosia vs FK RFS | Opening odds | Pre-match odds | Odds Movements |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apoel Nicosia wins | 1.65 | 13 | +687.9% |
| Draw | 3.7 | 1.04 | -71.9% |
| FK RFS wins | 5.25 | 17 | +223.8% |
After kick-off, the latest odds movements show that:
- FK RFS is most likely to win
- The odds for this bet have increased by 223.8% since opening
- The probability of this result was 19.0% and is now 5.9% (-13.2%)
Apoel Nicosia vs FK RFS match : Frequently asked questions
The APOEL v Rigas game will be played on Thursday 29th August starting 6pm GMT.
The APOEL v Rigas game will be played at the Neo GSP Arena in Nicosia.
TV3 will air the APOEL v Rigas match for Latvian audiences while in Cyprus CYTA will have the game live. You can also follow our Live Europa League page for live scores.
All tips are fully researched and given in good faith, but profits cannot be guaranteed.
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