AEK Larnaca vs Dundalk Predictions, Betting Tips and Match Previews

Dundalk managed to grind out a 0-0 draw in the home leg of this tie, but is their European journey about to come to an end? The leaders of the Irish Premier Division are pushing for progress in Europe, but they were widely expected to exit the Europa League at this stage. After defying expectations once, they’ll be out to cause an even bigger shock in this week’s visit to Cyprus. Can the Irish side pick up a victory, or will the hosts live up to their billing as favourites?

The hosts ended Cork’s ambitions in this competition 12 months ago, just as they were running away with the Irish title. Dundalk are doing the same in 2018, but they’ve managed to hold out against Larnaca. That probably shouldn’t be a surprise, given that they’ve had much more experience in Europe. The Irish side made the group stage of this competition back in 2016, and they’ll be hoping to repeat the trick this year.

The hosts have a long history in Europe too, after reaching the play-offs in last season’s Europa League. While they fell at the last hurdle 12 months ago, they’ll expect to at least go close to the group stage this year. However, after two 0-0 draws on the spin in this competition, Larnaca need to step up in order to progress to the third qualifying round this week.

The hosts do at least have a strong record defensively in this competition, after back to back clean sheets. They managed to shut out their opponents in their last four home Europa League games on the spin, and that could be crucial this week. An away goal for the Irish side would be a huge boost to their chances, especially as AEK aren’t the highest scoring of sides. They’re going to need to keep things tight in order to progress, so another solid defensive display is going to be on the cards for the hosts.

With Larnaca keeping a clean sheet in six of their last eight at home in Europe, we expect them to shut out Dundalk here. The hosts have won to nil in their last five home wins in this competition, and as heavy favourites they should rack up a clean sheet along with a victory on Thursday. We’re backing the Cypriot side to win to nil here, which seems like great value given their great defensive record in this competition of late.