Rigas FS vs APOEL Prediction and Betting Tips | August 22nd 2024

Rigas welcome APOEL to LNK Sporta Paks for the first leg of their UEFA Europa League playoff tie on Thursday (August 22nd). The hosts are coming into the game on the back of a 4-3 away victory over Valmiera in the Latvian Cup quarterfinal.

First-half goals from Harona Njie and Lukass Vapne ensured the game was level at the break. Daniels Belodis put the visitors ahead in the 53rd minute while Rostand Ndjiki added a brace to make the game more comfortable. Jason Bahamboula and Djibril Gueye scored late goals to threaten a comeback that never materialized.

The Virsliga outfit will turn their focus to the continent and booked their spot at this stage with a 9-0 aggregate victory over Santa Coloma. A 2-0 away win was followed up by a 7-0 victory at home.

APOEL, meanwhile, dropped into the Europa League from the UEFA Champions League. They suffered a 2-0 defeat to Slovan Bratislava in the first leg in Slovakia before playing out a goalless draw at home.

The winner of this tie will book their spot in the Europa League league phase while the losers are transferred to the UEFA Conference League.

Rigas FS vs APOEL Head-to-Head and Key Numbers

APOEL's four games on the continent this season have produced less than three goals, with three witnessing a clean sheet.
Seventeen of Rigas' last 18 games in all competitions have produced three goals or more.
APOEL's last three games have been goalless at the break.
Rigas have won their last five games on the bounce.
Nine of APOEL's last 11 games in UEFA club competitions have produced over 1.5 goals.

Rigas FS vs APOEL Prediction

Rigas thoroughly dismantled Santa Coloma in the last round and are aiming to make their debut in the Europa League proper. They come into this game in fine form having won 13 of their last 15 games in all competitions.

APOEL, for their part, have been involved in cagey games this season, in contrast to their hosts' more expansive games.

Both sides started their continental campaign in the Champions League but one is destined to finish in the Conference League. We are backing the spoils to be shared in a low-scoring stalemate.

Prediction: Rigas 1-1 APOEL

Rigas FS vs APOEL Betting Tips

Tip 1 - Result: Draw

Tip 2 - Both teams to score

Tip 3 - Over 1.5 goals

Highest scoring half: Second half