APOEL vs Young Boys Predictions & Betting Tips, Match Previews

APOEL are finding themselves under a bit of pressure in the Cyprus 1. Division at the moment, which is pretty unfamiliar territory for them after four years of complete dominance. They currently sit 2nd in the table with a two point disadvantage on AEK Larnaca.

It’s not that APOEL haven’t been good though. They have only dropped four points in their nine league games so far and remain unbeaten in domestic competition this term. They have won five of their last seven in all competitions, with their only defeat coming away to Young Boys in their last Europa League outing.

Despite this defeat to the Swiss side, APOEL still find themselves top of their Europa League group after victories over Astana and Olympiakos. A win on Thursday would all but guarantee them qualification from the group as well, as it would leave them five points clear of 3rd place with just two games left to play.

The goals have been shared around in the Europa League this season, but their most dangerous players have both found the back of the net once in the Europa League. Georges Efrem and Pieros Soteriou both have six goals to their name in all competitions, although the fact that Efrem’s six goals have come in just five starts make him a standout candidate for an anytime goalscorer bet, especially at odds of 10/3.

Young Boys have their own standout performer as well. Guillaume Hoarau has netted three of their five Europa League goals this season and leads the way in their domestic scoring charts too. The 32 year old French striker has nine in all competitions, so odds of 9/4 for him to score anytime look rather good.

The Swiss side are really struggling on the road though. They may have won four on the trot recently and scored an absolute hat full, but they’ve all been on home turf. Away from home they haven’t scored in four consecutive matches and have only won one of their last seven in all competitions. They have kept a clean sheet in their last four outings, but they are facing a much bigger test in APOEL on Thursday.

I expect APOEL to get the win here. They have won five on the trot at home and kept a clean sheet in four of those games. and whilst Young Boys have been decent defensively recently APOEL are a bigger test than the likes of Sion, Astana, and Lugano. Odds of 7/4 for an APOEL Clean Sheet look excellent value as well, so I’m backing that along with a 2-0 correct score prediction at 9/1.