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Elfsborg play host to Pafos FC in the first leg of their UEFA Europa League first qualifying round clash at Boras Arena on Thursday. The Swedish outfit head into the game on a run of five back-to-back competitive home wins and will look to extend this impressive streak.
Elfsborg picked up a morale-boosting result last Saturday when they cruised to a 3-0 home victory over Brommapojkarna in the Swedish Allsvenskan.
Before that, Oscar Hiljemark’s men were on a three-match winless run, losing consecutive league games against Malmo and Goteborg before playing out a goalless draw against Fredrikstad in a friendly on June 29.
Elfsborg have struggled for consistency in the Allsvenskan and currently sit seventh in the table with 19 points from 14 matches.
Coming off the back of an outstanding pre-season, Pafos will be looking to begin the new season as they mean to go on as they eye a place in Europe.
Juan Carcedo’s side picked up 62 points from 36 matches to finish fifth in the Cyprus 1st Division last term, before claiming three wins and one draw in their four friendly matches ahead of the new season.
Pafos secured their spot in the Europa League qualifiers after clinching the Cyprus Cup on May 18, when they thrashed Omonia Nicosia 3-0 in the final.
Elfsborg vs Pafos FC Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
- This will be the first-ever meeting between Elfsborg and Pafos, who will both be looking to begin their rivalry on a winning note.
- Elfsborg have won just two of their last six matches across all competitions while losing three and claiming one draw since mid-May.
- Pafos are unbeaten in nine consecutive outings in all competitions, picking up five wins and four draws since April’s 2-0 defeat against APOEL Nicosia.
- Elfsborg have won their last five competitive home games, scoring 16 goals and keeping three clean sheets since a 2-1 loss against Kalmar on April 22.
- Pafos are unbeaten in their most recent four away games in all competitions, claiming two wins and two draws since April’s 3-0 defeat at AEK Larnaca.
Elfsborg vs Pafos FC Prediction
Buoyed by their win over Brommapojkarna, Elfsborg will head into Thursday’s clash with confidence as they kickstart their quest for European football. Pafos, meanwhile, head into the game off the back of a solid pre-season and will be looking to stun the hosts.
However, Hiljemark’s men boast the firepower needed to get the job done and we see them securing a vital first-leg victory at Boras Arena, where they have been rock-solid in recent weeks.
Prediction: Elfsborg 2-1 Pafos FC
Elfsborg vs Pafos FC Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Elfsborg to win
Tip 2: Over 4.5 cards - No (There have been fewer than five bookings in five of Elfsborg’s last six games)
Tip 3: Over 2.5 goals - Yes (There have also been three or more goals scored in eight of Elfsborg’s last 11 home matches)
