By Betsefy
Apollon Limassol and Olympiacos square off at the Tsirion Athlitiko Kentro in the first leg of their Europa League qualifying playoff round matchup on Thursday.
The home side, who head into the game fresh off the back of clinching the Cyprus Super Cup title, will look to continue in the same vein and place one foot in the group stages of the competition.
Match preview
Apollon Limassol will be without 22-year-old midfielder Ilian Iliev, who continues his long road to full fitness after suffering a metatarsal fracture back in April.
Veteran forward Nicolas Diguiny was missing for the cup victory over Omonia Nicosia last time out and the 34-year-old is a major doubt for Thursday’s encounter.
As far as Olympiacos are concerned, they will have to cope without the injured Garry Rodrigues, who netted five goals in 19 league appearances last season.
Sime Vrsaljko, who was recently signed from Spanish heavyweight Atletico Madrid, is also set to miss his third straight game after coming off with an injury against Maccabi Haifa back in July.
Former Arsenal defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos is a major doubt for the home side after the 34-year-old missed the second leg against Slovan Bratislava through a muscle issue.
Apollon Limassol possible starting lineup:
Jovanovic; Peybernes, Kyriakou, Roberge, Khanmas; Va, Coll, Ongenda, Pittas; Diguiny, Janga
Olympiacos possible starting lineup:
Vaclik; Pipa, Ba, Cisse, Reabciuk; Valbuena, Kunde, M’Vila; Zinckernagel, El-Arabi, Randelovic
Our Prediction
Over 1.5 Goals
