APOEL Nicosia vs Sevilla
Europa League
Date: Thursday, 12 December 2019
Kick-off at 17:55 UK/ 18:55 CET
Venue: Neo GSP Stadium (Nicosia).
Cypriot champions a record 28 times, APOEL made seven national titles in a row with a victory last season, which came at the end of the campaign in which they were absent from Europe in the fall for the first time in six years after losing the UEFA their Europa League play-off against Astana penalties. This season, after a comfortable Sutjeska Montenegro eliminated in the Champions League second qualifying round (1-0 a, 3-0 h), APOEL sure to return to the group stage of European football with a 3-2 aggregate success in the next round against Group A rivals future Qarabag , They then beat Ajax 2-0 on aggregate in the play-offs (0-0 hours, 0-2 a) to move to the UEFA Europa League. APOEL failed to reach the knockout phase in the first two UEFA Europa League group participation them (in 2013/14 and 2015/16), but makes it all the way to the round of 16 in 2016/17, after occupying their part thanks to a maximum haul of nine points at home before expel Athletic Club, and has now made two consecutive qualifying from the group stage. They are all-time record in Nicosia in the Europa League group match is W6 D1 L4.
Sevilla News Team
Sevilla played 16 UEFA Europa League matches last season, ahead of the second qualifying round of 16, where they were dramatically eliminated by Slavia Prague after a 4-3 extra-time defeat in the Czech capital. Sevilla had topped Group A with 12 points, scoring 18 goals - the most in the group stage. They have 14 after five games this season, second only in the competition for AZ Alkmaar in Group L (15). Andalusian club re-qualify for the competition by finishing sixth in League 2018/19, which assured them an automatic group stage dock and fifth appearance at this time. They never failed to qualify for the round of 32, this being the third time that they have developed as group winners. Having won in Azerbaijan and Luxembourg this season, scoring eight goals in the process, Sevilla away record in the UEFA Europa League group stage is now W7 D4 L3, two of those defeats have come in last season - in Krasnodar (1-2) and Standard Liege (0 -1). In the overall competition, including qualification, their numbers in the way that W19 D7 L9.
APOEL Nicosia vs Sevilla Predictions
APOEL are already assured of their place in the round of 32, through a second placed finish, so it was not too much pressure on them to come into the game.
The hosts will be thankful for it, because they now had failed to score in their last two matches.
Sevilla confident finished top spot in the group and have won all their matches in it so far.
Sevilla are unbeaten in 11 games is impressive, winning eight times in the process.
There is no pressure on APOEL
While they are not expected to go too far in the knockout phase of the Europa League, APOEL will be delighted to have reached it and their work in the competition so far is pretty good. Cyprus started their continental campaign in wretched fashion, taking only one point from their opening three games but wins over Qarabag and Dudelange each has now wrapped up second place.
In the country, APOEL also along pretty well, placed in 4th place with a couple of games in hand. Nonetheless, following a 0-0 draw at Omonia Nicosia and Olympiakos Nicosia 2-0 defeat in their last couple of events, the hosts did not arrive with great momentum behind them and have to raise their game significantly to challenge Sevilla.
Visitors looking to make 6 of 6
Having forged something of a reputation as a specialist of the Europa League, Sevilla once again seen among the front runners to pick it up come the end of the season. So far, the Spaniards have been perfect in the competition, making this trip to Cyprus with five wins out of five in the group behind them.
In domestic matters would also be very good for the side, who currently sits 3rd in the La Liga and just three points adrift of leaders Barcelona. Unbeaten in 11 games, they have won 8, visitors play in a very consistent at the moment and will be confident of extending their unbeaten streak with another positive performance this Thursday.
Sevilla should have too much quality
In the end, while there is no pressure on the game for either team, we fully expect Sevilla to win. Man for man, they are stronger in all areas of the field compared to the GSP Stadium APOEL and although it can be a tough place to visit, the away side had to be stepped up to the challenge.
All things considered, it supports a Sevilla win looks the best way to play as far as betting is concerned and is something we are more than happy to do. They were unstoppable in a simple form at the moment and consistent delivery of a strong opponent of APOEL every week, they should be able to get the better of the host, with a margin of 1-0 away wins on the card.
