- Team form: APOEL Nicosia FC have won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5 matches, while Pafos FC have won 1, drawn 3 and lost 1 of their last 5 in all competitions.
- Head-to-head: Pafos FC have won 2 and drawn 1 of the last 3 head-to-head meetings, including a 2-0 home victory 2 months ago.
- Home record vs Pafos: APOEL Nicosia FC have failed to win any of their last 3 home matches against Pafos FC.
Two very different teams face off at the GSP Stadium
Standings and recent form
Pafos FC sit 4th in the 1. Division - Championship Group 2026 with 54 points from 30 games, four points ahead of APOEL Nicosia FC in 5th with 48 points from 30.
Pafos have been in solid form, avoiding defeat in their last two games (both 1-1 draws) and winning 2-1 away in the Cyprus Cup last time out, while APOEL have lost their last 2 after 2 wins and 3 defeats in their previous 5.
APOEL's style
Pablo Garcia’s APOEL Nicosia FC are a wide, aggressive, high-tempo, high-pressing side that look to dominate possession and hit opponents at pace with rapid transitions, wide overloads and forward penetration.
Pafos's approach
Since appointment in January 2026, Albert Celades has brought a level of tactical discipline to Pafos FC that was previously lacking and their players are a narrow, pragmatic and patient outfit who will sit deep, look to hit quickly on the counter and are more than happy to cede possession in order to maintain their defensive structure.
Jaja has been Pafos's most lethal weapon of late, scoring 3 of their last 5 goals and leading the line with 1 goal from 3 Championship Group appearances so far, but Konstantinos Laifis has scored 1 in 2 games and has the experience and presence to lead this side from the back.
Jaja has been a constant threat from the wide areas, scoring 3 of their last 5 and leading the way with 1 goal in 3 Championship Group games.
Pafos can edge a close and tense affair
APOEL Nicosia FC have won 7, drawn 3 and lost 5 of their home games in the 1. Division - Championship Group 2026 this season, scoring 1.53 goals per game, and Pafos have an identical record on the road (W7, D3, L5).
The odds for this game have Pafos FC coming in as slight favorites at 2.12, while APOEL Nicosia are 3.25 and the draw is 3.4, but we’re taking Pafos here to nick the win in what should be a tight and tense game that could be crucial to either side’s European ambitions.
The head-to-head between these two sides heavily favours Pafos FC, while the visitors have been much steadier than the hosts in recent weeks, but what will ultimately decide this game is which team can transition from defence to attack the quickest.
With two very differing tactical styles on show, this is a recipe for a game where transitions and counter attacks will be the key and with both sides desperate for the win in the Championship Group, we’re expecting plenty of tactical fireworks at the GSP Stadium this Sunday.
- The over 2.5 goals line is almost even at 1.92 and that’s a reflection of both team’s positive intentions to attack.
- APOEL have lost their last two games, falling 2-3 to Apollon Limassol and 2-0 to Omonia FC Nicosia in their most recent outings in the Championship Group; at home they have split their last two matches with 1 win and 1 loss, while Pafos have avoided defeat in their last two away games, drawing 1-1 in both.
