Hajduk Split welcome Pafos to Stadion Poljud for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League second-round qualifier.
Both teams are showing contrasting form at the moment, and with the hosts doing some good work on home soil lately, they will be keen to give the fans something to cheer about
Key Stats
- Hajduk Split are unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- Hajduk Split have led at some point in five of their last six home matches in all competitions.
- Pafos have failed to win their last three matches in all competitions.
No Previous Meetings
This will be the first ever meeting between Hajduk Split and Pafos.
Hajduk Split Impressive at Home
Hajduk Split edged out Zilina 3-2 on aggregate to secure a place in the second round. They claimed a 2-0 victory in the first meeting and despite suffering a 2-1 away defeat in the second leg, were able to progress.
Manager Gonzalo Garcia will consider that second-leg result as a minor blip as Hajduk Split’s overall form has been solid lately. They will head into this clash unbeaten in eight of their last 10 matches in all competitions.
Hajduk Split are generally solid going forward and tend to put on a show in front of their fans, with a 6-3 victory over Vukovar 1991 among their recent results. They have led at some point in five of their last six home matches in all competitions.
Pafos Looking Off Colour
Pafos drew a bye in the previous round and are heading into their first European appearance this season. They are also without any competitive action at the moment, having only been involved in preseason friendlies.
Preseason has not been particularly smooth for Pafos, who are winless in their last three matches. Ricardo Sa Pinto’s team have lost their last two matches, suffering a 3-2 defeat to Slovan Bratislava in their previous fixture.
Pafos will be keen to put that aside as they begin their European campaign, but their recent away form in competitive matches has been unconvincing. The Cypriots have failed to win five of their last six competitive matches on the road.
Team News and Predicted Line-ups
Hajduk Split (4-2-3-1): Toni Silic; Mathieu Acapandie, Marino Skelin, Alec Van Hoorenbeeck, Simun Hrgovic; Adrion Pajaziti, Rokas Pukstas; Roko Brajkovic, Noa Skoko, Dario Melnjak; Michele Sego.
Hajduk Split have no injuries or suspensions heading into this clash and are unlikely to make changes to the team. Sego is expected to lead the line once again while Skelin and Van Hoorenbeeck should continue their central defensive partnership.
Pafos (4-2-3-1): Michalis Papastylianou; Samy Mmae, David Luiz, David Goldar, Nikolas Ioannou; Pepe, Alexandre Brito; Jaja, Vlad Dragomir, Biel; Lele.
Right-back Mmae was a second-half substitute for Pafos in the last friendly and should return to the starting line-up on Thursday. Pepe should feature in the midfield while Lele is expected to lead the line.