- Team form: Pafos have won two straight home games in all competitions, keeping them in good shape to fight back after the 2-0 away defeat to Hajduk in the UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026.
- Away form: Hajduk are winless in five away games in all competitions (D3, L2).
- Recent form: Both teams are unbeaten in four of their last five in all competitions and are in decent form as they head into this game.
A tight second-leg battle is expected
Match odds and context
Pafos FC head into Thursday's UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 second-leg game as the odds-on favorites at 1.72, but Hajduk Split are available at 4.28 and the draw is 3.9, so this game looks like it could be closer than the bookmakers expect. The visitors' 2-0 first-leg victory in the series certainly gives them the edge, but they come into this second encounter having won three of their last five in all competitions and can be pushed into a low-tempo scrap by Pafos.
The hosts have also won three of their last five, so it's hard to see a runaway on the night.
Formations and managers
The two teams like to line up in 4-2-3-1 formations, but they have very different playing styles. Hajduk have been far more proactive in their approach this term, with Gonzalo Garcia (in charge since 1st July 2025) pushing the team to press high, play vertically and be the front foot side in games.
Pafos are more compact and have been more solid and less expansive, with Ricardo Sa Pinto (appointed on the 29th April 2026) preferring to sit deep and attempt to hit their opponents on the counter.
Goals and a Hajduk threat to be the winner
This contrast of styles should make Hajduk the more positive side, but the hosts will look to clog up the middle and hit fast transitions on the counterattack. That makes it very hard to tell which team will get the advantage in a second-leg that could be cagey.
- On paper, Pafos should progress, but the visitors have a first-leg lead and will feel confident of holding the advantage, so the goals market looks the best option and Over 2.5 goals at 1.78 is the main selection, while Both Teams To Score – Yes at 1.75 is the pick of the team goals bets.
- Alec Van Hoorenbeeck has scored one goal in three UEFA Europa League Qualification 2026 matches for Hajduk, making him their useful threat from the back line.
