Preview: APOEL vs. Rigas Futbola Skola – prediction, team news, lineups

Hosts APOEL will have to overcome their 2-1 first-leg deficit against Latvian Champions Rigas Futbola Skola on Thursday at the GSP Stadium if they are to progress from the Europa League‘s fourth and final qualifying round.

The home side struggled to break down the visitors’ stubborn defence in the first leg on August 22 despite having more of the ball, and they were somewhat weak defensively on the day.

Match preview

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Cypriot title-winners APOEL had 62% possession in the first leg, but despite dominating the ball, they only managed to produce five shots and three efforts on target.

Striker Youssef El Arabi managed to halve APOEL’s deficit in the 52nd minute after he took advantage of a poor clearance from Ziga Lipuscek in the penalty area.

However, boss David Gallego will be concerned that his side failed to take control of the game after scoring and were instead arguably fortunate to have not conceded a third.

Gallego’s team are now winless in their last four matches and have in fact only won once in their last seven competitive fixtures.

Their loss in the first leg also means they have only won once in their last seven European matches, losing four times and drawn once in this period.

APOEL also have a mixed record at home considering they have won twice, drawn once and lost twice in their last five competitive matches at the GSP Stadium.

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Opponents RFS had just 38% possession in the first leg and just four shots on target, but they arguably had more threatening moments than APOEL throughout the match.

The Latvian champions took the lead thanks to a goal from forward Alain Cedric Herve Kouadio in the 31st minute after he was played through on goal by Janis Ikaunieks.

Ikaunieks doubled the lead from the penalty spot in the first minute of first-half stoppage time, and in truth, the scoreline at half time did not flatter RFS.

The visitors are currently first in their domestic league with 66 points from 26 games, and drew 0-0 against Riga FC in their most recent match on August 25.

RFS had won the six games prior to that draw, and it was just the fourth time they failed to triumph away from home in their last 17 matches on the road.

APOEL Europa League form:

APOEL form (all competitions):

Rigas Futbola Skola Europa League form:

Rigas Futbola Skola form (all competitions):

Team News

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APOEL centre-back Radosav Petrovic served his suspension in the first leg and is available for selection once again.

Given the narrow deficit, the hosts could name a similar XI to the one that started the first leg, so expect Max Meyer, Youssef El Arabi and Anastasios Donis to start in the forward line.

As for the visitors, they are unlikely to make many changes from the team that performed so well against APOEL, and the likes of Janis Ikaunieks, Ismael Diomande and Alain Cedric Herve Kouadio are almost certain to start in attacking roles.

Elsewhere, Petr Mares is a doubt after he was subbed off in the first half of his side’s match against Riga FC.

APOEL possible starting lineup:
Belec; Susic, Petrovic, Dvali, Quintilla; Chebake, Tejera, Marquinhos; Meyer, El Arabi, Donis

Rigas Futbola Skola possible starting lineup:
Ondoa; Prenga, Balodis, Lipuscek; Savalnieks, Markhiyev, Panic, Zelenkovs; Ikaunieks; Diomande, Kouadio

We say: APOEL 1-1 Rigas Futbola Skola (Rigas Futbola Skola win 3-2 on aggregate)

Given that APOEL will be boosted by the return of centre-back Petrovic, they could find it easier to deal with RFS’ attacks than they did in the first leg.

The hosts could strike first on Thursday, but considering their poor form of late, it would be surprising if they managed to keep a clean sheet.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.

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