AEK Larnaca – Trencin Prediction & Picks (30.08.2018)

AEK Larnaca and Trencin meet, in a return match for this phase of the UEFA Europa League (Play-offs), after a (1-1) draw in the first leg. Particular attention is required for the home / away condition, since both teams present significantly different results at home and abroad.

AEK Larnaca:

The home team comes to this match back in advantage, after the draw was by (1-1) in the first leg, so a draw may be enough to get the qualification. This is a team that usually makes good use of the home advantage, stronger with the help of its supporters, since in the last 30 matches they register 6 wins, 7 draws and 2 losses in away matches, with 19 goals scored and 13 conceded; against 13 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss at their stadium, with 49 goals scored and 10 conceded. In the last 10 home matches AEK Larnaca has won 8, tied 1 and lost 1 of the last 10 matches.

For this competition, he does not lose 5 games. Defensive consistency has been one of their best features, as they have only conceded goals in 1 of the last 5 matches, and their offense has scored consistently, as they have scored goals in 4 of the last 5 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 43 of the last 50 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals.

The AEK Larnaca comes to this game with a tie to a ball against Trencin, in a first leg of the play-offs of access to the group stage of the Europa League: Acorán Barrera scored the only goal of the team. The highest quality of AEK Larnaca is the ability it demonstrates to drive its attacks through fast transitions. Of note that from the defensive point of view, the difficulties increase when the opposing team attacks through the wings. The right winger Ivan Trichovski is responsible for making sense of the opponent’s defense, the highest quality being the final: he scored 6 goals in 5 games played in these qualifiers. The local team coach can count on all his players.

Trenčín:

The away team comes to this second leg at a disadvantage, because despite the draw in the first leg they suffered 1 goal at home. This is a team that usually gets better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 8 wins, 5 draws and 2 losses in away matches, with 32 goals scored and 22 conceded; against 6 wins, 4 draws and 5 losses at their stadium, with 35 goals scored and 27 suffered. The team comes to this match after a draw away with Slovan Bratislava by (3-3). In the last 10 away matches Trenčín has won 5, tied 3 and lost 2. Their offense has scored frequently, since they have scored goals in all of the last 7 matches for this competition. In their away matches there is a tendency for goals, since 49 of the last 54 matches have ended with Over 1,5 goals. In 12 matches, they suffered the first goal 4 times and only managed 1 comeback.

The Trenčín reaches this unmotivated round, after having added a tie to three in the visit to Slovan, adding in this way the fourth official match without tasting the taste of victory. We remember that the Slovaks drew 1-1 in the first leg against AEK. Without big surprises, coach Ricardo Moniz should opt for a more defensive strategy, exploring only the space in the back of the opponent, however, in some moments of the game must bet everything in the attack. Antonio Mance is the great highlight of the visitors, with 6 goals scored in this qualifying phase. There are no absences of weight for this game.