Pafos and RB Salzburg will meet in the second leg of their Europa League tie at the Alphamega Stadium, with the Austrians leading 1-0. The winners will advance into the play-off round.
Enforced changes for Pafos following first-leg defeat
After reaching the main phase of the Champions League last season, Pafos are no longer European novices. They showed character to fight back from 2-0 down to beat Hajduk Split in the second qualifying round, but Ricardo Sá Pinto has a couple of fresh selection issues heading into this game.
Midfielder Ken Sema is suspended after a late red card in the defeat in Salzburg. Domingos Quina was also forced off injured and is a major doubt on Thursday.
Forward Jajá remains a long-term absentee, with his fellow Brazilian Lelê set to lead the line in the second leg. He scored four times in 14 appearances last term following a loan move from Fluminense.
Pafos predicted lineup vs RB Salzburg (4-3-3): Majecki; Brito, Goldar, Luiz, Ioannou; Šunjić, Guga, Dragomir; Pêpê, Lelê, Biel.
RB Salzburg hoping Tabaković can be the inspiration in attack
Having already played three domestic fixtures this season, RB Salzburg should be approaching full match fitness. However, they’ve not been that convincing in attack so far, only drawing 1-1 against Wolfsberg on Sunday in the Austrian Bundesliga.
They bolstered their goalkeeping options last week with the signing of Christian Früchtl from Lecce. He’s set to compete with Christian Zawieschitzky for the starting role, but the latter should keep his place in Cyprus.
Forward Enrique Aguilar suffered a broken arm in the first leg and will be sidelined for several weeks. Haris Tabaković and Yorbe Vertessen are fighting for one place up front. The former, who struck 13 times in 32 league outings last term, may be preferred.
RB Salzburg predicted lineup vs Pafos (4-2-3-1): Zawieschitzky; Veratschnig, Boma, Zabransky, Schmid; Barry, Diabaté; Baidoo, Diakité, Redzić; Tabaković.
Pafos vs RB Salzburg Prediction
- Safe Tip: Pafos to score over 0.5 goals
- Odds: 1.285 (22Bet)
- Correct score prediction: Pafos 2-1 RB Salzburg
- 22Bet Booking Code: JLERJ
Key stats:
- Pafos have scored at least once in each of their previous 12 European home fixtures.
- They’ve netted one or more goals in 94% of their home matches in continental action.
- RB Salzburg conceded 2.5 goals per away game on average in last season’s Europa League.
Pafos are a stronger team at home than away in Europe. They averaged exactly two goals per 90 minutes in front of their own fans in the league stage of the 2025/26 Champions League. The Cypriots netted against the likes of Bayern Munich, Villarreal and Monaco.
Backing them to score over 0.5 goals, using a 22Bet bonus of up to 122 $/€, is the way to go here. RB Salzburg aren’t blessed with as much quality as they had a few years ago, and they’ve conceded in all of their last 10 European away games.
Pafos vs RB Salzburg Prediction, Value Tip
- Value Tip: Pafos to win
- Odds: 3.005 (22Bet)
- 22Bet Booking Code: 1AERJ
After suffering defeat in all four road outings in the 2025/26 Europa League, RB Salzburg do little to justify their status as favourites.
Pafos have won eight of their previous 12 European home fixtures. Having staged an impressive comeback in the last round on home soil, they offer value at 3.005 to win.
Verdict: Pafos to score over 0.5 goals (1.285) — Pafos 2-1 RB Salzburg
