AC Omonia vs Granada predictions and match preview for Thursday’s game in the UEFA Europa League. Read on for analysis as two of the smallest clubs in the competition meet.
- KICK-OFF: 19:55 (local time)
- VENUE: GSP Stadium
- COMPETITION: UEFA Europa League (Group Stage)
AC Omonia vs Granada Preview
Granada’s longest journey of the season takes them to the Mediterranean to face Cypriot side Omonia on Matchday 3 at the GSP Stadium in Nicosia on Thursday. Granada head into this battle of Europa League group stage debutants as the leaders after collecting four points from their first two matches – a 2-1 win at PSV and a goalless draw versus PAOK. Omonia have a solitary point which came against the Greek side a fortnight ago while their Europa League home game last week against PSV ended in pain after the Dutch team struck in injury time to win 2-1.
For Diego Martínez’s side, it has been a second straight overwhelming start in LaLiga. Very few expected them to be 5th at the moment with 14 points and only one loss after seven matches, especially with all the European commitments involved. But that’s exactly what Granada have done. For a rookie team in Europe, they have brilliantly managed both competitions so far.
Los Nazaríes secured their most hard-earned point of the season on Sunday in the 1-1 draw against Levante at Los Cármenes. They were in control of the contest early on when Darwin Machís found the net inside 10 minutes but things took a U-turn after the sending off of Maxime Gonalons which deprived Diego Martínez of a commander in the midfield. Levante got their equaliser before half time, dominated the second period and looked set to find the winner but ultimately, a very motivated Granada defence kept their nerves and held on for the point.
Granada have only lost one out of their 12 matches this season and are undefeated in Europe. Having come back with full points from Eindhoven which was supposedly their toughest group match, the Andalusians are now one of the favourites to qualify for the knockout stage from Group E.
Granada’s opponents themselves have also been an underdog story in Europe this season. Omonia Nicosia were top of the Cypriot First Division when the pandemic halted the league and so the capital club were elected to play in the Champions League qualifying rounds. After upsetting bigger clubs like Legia Warszawa and Crvena Zvezda, they fell to Greek champions Olympiacos in the play-offs and had to settle for the Europa League.
Talking about domestic form, Omonia are fifth in the league with 15 points from eight matches and suffered their first loss of the season on Sunday to city rivals Olympiakos Nicosia.
There was some bad news for El Graná ahead of this fixture as defender Jesús Vallejo tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday and joined Roberto Soldado on the sidelines due to the virus. Dimitri Foulquier and captain Víctor Díaz are also unavailable for Thursday’s clash.
Omonia vs Granada Predictions
Score Prediction: Omonia 0-1 Granada
In this meeting of the underdogs, Granada look favourites for the win but it might not be simple considering the big-game experience their hosts have gathered during the autumn qualifying rounds. With three wins in three, Granada have been flawless in their European trips away from Andalusia and should be continuing this record if they don’t underestimate this Omonia side.
UEFA Europa League Betting Tips (18+)
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