Will Belgrade make it exciting again?

This week sees the second legs of the first qualifying round of the Europa League. Cypriot cup winners Larnaka go into the second leg in the Serbian capital with a narrow lead. However, the odds for a Partizan Belgrade vs. AEK Larnaka tip show that Spanish coach Imanol Idiakez’s team still has a lot of work to do.

With their own fans behind them, Belgrade will do everything they can to turn the game around. Two years ago, however, Crno beli failed to get past the Cypriots after a 2-2 draw in the second leg of the Europa League qualifiers. Not least because of this, the Partizan Belgrade vs. AEK Larnaca prediction clearly favors the team from the Mediterranean island to advance to the next round after 90 minutes at the Partizana Stadium.

In the first leg, it was clear that both teams were playing their first competitive game since the end of May. The entertainment factor was limited due to the slow start, with just one measly goal on the scoreboard after 90 minutes at the AEK Arena. However, we expect this to change in the second leg in Belgrade.

Partizan Belgrade – Statistics & current form

As in the previous season, when Partizan Belgrade failed to qualify for the Europa League against FC Lugano, the team is once again facing an early exit from European competition this season. The weak impressions from the test matches continued seamlessly in the first leg on the Mediterranean island. It is therefore more than understandable that the bookies are offering high odds for a Partizan Belgrade home win against AEK Larnaca.

The odds assessment of the betting providers with PayPal assumes a balanced match in the second leg, with no clear favorite. We don’t disagree with that, as we also expect a closely contested match on Thursday. We also think a 2-2 draw, as was the case two years ago, is not unlikely.

Will Partizan Belgrade turn the game around?

In the first leg at the AEK Arena, the Serbs’ dangerous attacking line failed to make an impact. Blagojevic’s team had just three shots on goal in Cyprus. However, we are convinced that this will change in the second leg in our Partizan Belgrade vs. AEK Larnaca prediction. Last week’s game was the first match since the beginning of April in which Crno beli failed to score.

However, the Serbian runners-up’s biggest weakness remains their defense. Srdjan Blagojevic’s team hardly ever manages to keep a clean sheet. In the return leg, we therefore expect Belgrade to concede at least one goal again. Conversely, this means that Partizan must score at least two goals to advance to the next round or at least reach extra time. A Serbian onslaught is therefore to be expected in the return leg.

Possible line-up for Partizan Belgrade:
Milosevic – Jurcevic, Milovanovic, Durdevic, Roganovic – Dragojevic, Ugresic – Trifunovic, Natcho, Kalulu – Milosevic

AEK Larnaca – Statistics & current form

The foundation has been laid for Imanol Idiakez’s team, who took over the reins at the “Kitrinoprasinoi” at the beginning of July. While his team still looked vulnerable in defense in the test matches, his new team kept a clean sheet in the first leg against Belgrade this time. Once again, it was confirmed that test matches are ultimately just smoke and mirrors.

However, the assessment of the betting providers with cashout shows that it will be difficult to repeat a clean sheet in the second leg. However, another goal from the Cypriot cup winners is also likely. As for a Belgrade goal, the odds are in the 1.30 range. And in fact, we are quite comfortable with the Partizan Belgrade vs. AEK Larnaca prediction that both teams will score in the second leg.

Will Larnaca remain unbeaten against Belgrade again?

Two years ago, there was a high-scoring draw at the Partizana Stadium. The draw was enough for Larnaca to advance to the next round after winning the first leg. And history seems to be repeating itself – a draw will also be enough to advance to the next round this Thursday. In any case, Idiakez’s team should avoid falling behind, as this would really ignite the cauldron in Belgrade.

However, an early goal could quickly pull the plug on the hosts. Those who believe that the “Kitrinoprasinoi” will overcome the hosts’ weak defense in the first half will find attractive odds at the bookmakers. However, we tend to believe that the second leg will be a tactical affair, with at least one of the two teams having to take a risk in the second half, depending on the score. Therefore, our Partizan Belgrade vs. AEK Larnaca prediction is that more goals will be scored in the second half.

Possible line-up for AEK Larnaca:
Alomerovic – Godswill, Milicevic, Roberge, Garcia – Waldo, Gustavo, Pere Pons, Rohden – Cabrera, Chacon

Partizan Belgrade – AEK Larnaca Head-to-head record / H2H record

The first leg was the third meeting between the two teams. All three matches have been played within the last three seasons. With their 1-0 win, Larnaca remain unbeaten in their head-to-head encounters with Partizan Belgrade (2-1-0).

At the same time, the defeat in the first leg means that Crno beli now have a slightly negative record against opponents from Cyprus (4-2-5). They have a chance to improve that on Thursday. The Partizan Belgrade vs. AEK Larnaka odds are at least a little more optimistic than in the first leg that they can do so in the upcoming home game.

Partizan Belgrade – AEK Larnaca Tip

Two years ago, AEK Larnaca kept their cool despite falling behind twice in the cauldron of Belgrade. The final score was 2-2. Due to the weak defensive performance of their upcoming opponents, we don’t think it’s unlikely that Larnaca will score two goals at the Partizana Stadium again. A Partizan Belgrade vs. AEK Larnaca tip for more than one goal by the visitors is rewarded with odds in the mid-twos.

In any case, we expect more goals in the second leg, as Belgrade will have to take risks sooner or later if they draw or fall behind, which will open up space for Larnaca to counterattack. Conversely, however, the Cypriots could also be forced to take more risks if they fall behind during the game.

We don’t expect Belgrade to remain goalless again in our Partizan Belgrade vs. AEK Larnaca tip. In the first leg, the Cypriot cup winners were the better team and had significantly more shots on goal. In the second leg, however, we expect a more even encounter, perhaps even with a slight advantage for Partizan Belgrade due to their home advantage.

We therefore think it’s a relatively safe bet that both teams will score on Thursday. The bookmakers agree – the odds for Partizan Belgrade against AEK Larnaca are significantly lower than the odds for more than two goals in the game. We wouldn’t rule out a 1-1 draw after 90 minutes in this clash between two almost evenly matched teams.