Pafos host Villarreal in the UEFA Champions League, with both teams seeking their first win in the league phase. The Spaniards have done some good work on their recent travels, while the hosts are struggling at the moment.
Pafos are still without a win after three matches in the league phase and were held to a 0-0 draw at Kairat Almaty in their previous fixture. They will head into Wednesday's clash off the back of a 1-0 home victory over AEK Larnaca in a domestic fixture last weekend.
That was a vital result for Pafos, who had been on a three-match winless run. Juan Carcedo's team are also inconsistent at home, with just two wins from their last four matches in front of their fans.
Villarreal are also seeking their first league phase win and were beaten 2-0 at home by Manchester City in their previous fixture. However, they have looked a different side since that result, winning their last three matches, including a 4-0 home victory over Rayo Vallecano last weekend.
The Spaniards have also done some good work on their recent travels, winning three of their last four away matches in all competitions. Marcelino's men claimed a 6-0 Copa Del Rey victory at Ciudad de Lucena in their previous away fixture.
How the bookies view it: Villarreal overwhelming favourites
Villarreal have been installed as overwhelming favourites among the bookies and are priced at 2/5 by BOYLE Sports to claim the win. Pafos are considered outsiders at odds of 5/1, while a draw is valued at 10/3.
Head to head: No previous meetings
This will be the first-ever meeting between Pafos and Villarreal.
Players to watch: Eyes on Mikautadze
Georges Mikautadze often leads the line for Villarreal and has scored their only Champions League goal this season. The striker will be the one to watch on Wednesday (Georges Mikautadze anytime goalscorer – priced at 10/11 on BOYLE Sports).
Pafos also have some quality going forward and will look to Anderson Silva to provide the spark. The striker has four goals in all competitions and could be worth keeping an eye on (Anderson Silva anytime goalscorer – valued at 15/4).
Probable line-ups:
Pafos will be without Ivan Sunjic, who is sidelined with injury while Joao Correia is suspended. Silva should feature in attack while veteran defender David Luiz is set to continue at the back.
Villarreal are without Pau Cabanes, Willy Kambwala and Logan Costa, who are all sidelined with injury. Mikautadze is expected to feature in attack, while Ayoze Perez could also earn a start after scoring off the bench at the weekend.
Pafos: Michail, Bruno, Luckassen, Luiz, Pileas, Pepe, Sema, Quina, Dragomir, Orsic, Silva.
Villarreal: Luiz Junior, Foyth, Veiga, Pedraza, Pepe, Comesana, Partey, Moleiro, Perez, Mikautadze.
Anything else catch the eye?
Both teams have scored in two of Pafos’ last three matches (BTTS YES – available at 8/11 with BOYLE Sports). Villarreal have scored in both halves in four of their last five matches (Villarreal to score in both halves – offered at 23/20).
Villarreal have earned a win and over 2.5 goals in their last two matches (Villarreal win & over 2.5 goals – set at odds of 21/20).
GambleAware