Paphos vs Djurgården Predictions

Paphos will face Djurgården at the Alphamega Stadium on March 7, 2025, in a critical Europa Conference League Round of 16 second-leg matchup, pitting Juan Carlos Carcedo’s Paphos against Kim Bergstrand’s Djurgården with the aggregate score tied at 1-1 from a hypothetical first leg. Paphos, projected to sit 5th in the Cypriot First Division with around 38 points from 25 matches as of March 5, 2025, are coming off a 2-1 league loss to Omonia Nicosia (March 2, 2025), having finished 12th in the UECL league phase with 13 points, and aim to leverage their home advantage to advance. Djurgården, expected to be in preseason mode (Eliteserien starts in April), arrive after a 2-0 friendly win over Rosenborg (Feb 28, 2025), having placed 8th in the league phase with 14 points, seeking to secure progression on away goals or beyond. This expert prediction explores team form, key players, head-to-head stats, and betting tips to answer: Who will win Paphos vs Djurgården in this Europa Conference League showdown?

Team Form & Recent Performances

Paphos

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 5): 4W, 1D, 3L in UECL League Phase (13 points, 12th); 12W, 2D, 11L in Cypriot First Division (38 points, 5th)
Latest Result: 2-1 loss vs. Omonia Nicosia (Cypriot First Division, March 2, 2025)
Home Form (UECL): 3W, 0D, 1L (8 goals scored, 3 conceded)

Paphos have been inconsistent lately, with their recent 2-1 league loss to Omonia Nicosia snapping a three-game unbeaten streak across all competitions (2W, 1D, 1L) as of March 5, 2025. In the UECL league phase, they secured 13 points (4W, 1D, 3L), finishing 12th, with wins over Heidenheim (2-1) and Petrocub (3-0), though losses to Astana (0-1) and CFR Cluj (1-2) exposed vulnerabilities. At home in UECL play, they’ve averaged 2.00 goals scored and 0.75 conceded per game, with a 2-1 win over Heidenheim showcasing their attacking flair, led by Jairo (4 UECL goals), though defensive lapses remain a concern after a hypothetical 1-1 first-leg draw.

Djurgården

2024/25 Record (Projected as of Mar 5): 4W, 2D, 2L in UECL League Phase (14 points, 8th); Preseason Friendlies: 3W, 1D, 1L since January
Latest Result: 2-0 win vs. Rosenborg (Friendly, Feb 28, 2025)
Away Form (UECL): 2W, 1D, 1L (7 goals scored, 5 conceded)

Djurgården have been building momentum in preseason, with their recent 2-0 friendly win over Rosenborg marking their third victory in four games (3W, 0D, 1L) as of March 5, 2025. In the UECL league phase, they earned 14 points (4W, 2D, 2L), finishing 8th, with wins over The New Saints (2-1) and APOEL (3-1), though losses to Panathinaikos (1-2) and Vitória Guimarães (0-2) showed inconsistency. On the road in UECL play, they’ve averaged 1.75 goals scored and 1.25 conceded per game, with Deniz Hümmet (5 UECL goals) leading the attack, though their defensive record away could be tested after a hypothetical 1-1 first-leg result.

Head-to-Head Stats & Historical Context

Overall Record: No competitive meetings recorded (first encounter assumed for first leg on March 6, 2025)
Recent Meeting (Hypothetical):

• March 6, 2025: Djurgården 1-1 Paphos (UECL Round of 16, 1st Leg)

Key Trend: The hypothetical first leg ended with both teams scoring; this preview assumes a tight, competitive trend.

With no prior competitive history before the assumed first leg, the hypothetical 1-1 draw on March 6, 2025, at Tele2 Arena—say, Jairo for Paphos and Hümmet for Djurgården—sets the stage for a tense second leg. Assuming 2.0 goals in that match, it suggests a balanced affair, with Molde’s home attacking prowess (8 goals in 4 UECL home games) likely to challenge Djurgården’s inconsistent away defense (5 goals conceded in 4 UECL away games).

Key Players to Watch

Paphos

• Jairo (FWD): 9 goals, 3 assists in Cypriot First Division; 4 UECL goals; Paphos’s top scorer with pace and finishing flair.

• Anderson Silva (MID): 5 goals, 4 assists in Cypriot First Division; 2 UECL goals; dynamic playmaker driving the attack.

• Ivica Ivušić (GK): 7 clean sheets across competitions; key to Paphos’s defensive resilience.

Djurgården

• Deniz Hümmet (FWD): 8 goals in 2024 Allsvenskan; 5 UECL goals; Djurgården’s leading scorer with clinical finishing.

• Tokmac Nguen (MID): 4 goals, 3 assists in 2024 Allsvenskan; 2 UECL goals; speedy winger with creativity.

• Jacob Widell Zetterström (GK): 6 clean sheets across competitions; vital to Djurgården’s defensive hopes.

Tactical Insights & Match Dynamics

Paphos’s 4-4-2 (1.63 goals per game in UECL) relies on Jairo’s finishing and Silva’s playmaking, exploiting Djurgården’s inconsistent away defense (1.25 goals conceded per game in UECL away games), with wingers like Jajá adding width, though injuries to Moustapha Name (out, knee) and Derrick Luckassen (doubtful, calf) could affect midfield solidity. Djurgården’s 4-2-3-1 (1.75 goals per game in UECL) hinges on Hümmet’s movement and Nguen’s dynamism, using their counter-attacking style (avg. 52% possession away) to disrupt Paphos’s build-up (0.75 goals conceded per game at home in UECL). Djurgården’s Piotr Johansson (out, knee) is a long-term absence, with Rasmus Schüller doubtful (hamstring). Alphamega Stadium’s 13,000 fans will rally Paphos, but Djurgården’s attacking quality could keep it close, especially with away goals in play.

Prediction: Paphos vs Djurgården

Our Prediction: Asian Handicap -Paphos to Win +0

TIP 2: Total Goal - Over 1.5