Pafos FC

vs

AS Monaco

Predictions & Betting Tips

Pafos FC

• Juan Carlos Carcedo has set them up in a compact 4-2-3-1 formation that sits deep, invites pressure and can counter-attack quickly or break from set pieces. Our Pafos FC vs AS Monaco betting tips suggest Pafos' tactical discipline might be a key factor in this clash.
• The Cypriots are third in the Cypriot First Division, defending their maiden domestic title, and their recent form has been exceptional with 3 wins from their last 5 in all competitions.
• A 1-0 win over Villarreal last week was a massive result for the club and was the first time a Cypriot club had won a Champions League game in the group stage proper since 2011.
• Derrick Luckassen is the rock at the back for Pafos, who scored the winner against Villarreal and is a set-piece threat, while Mislav Oršić and Domingos Quina provide an attacking spark.

Monaco

• Monaco have been struggling in Ligue 1, falling outside Ligue 1's top spots and changed managers in a bid to get back on track with Sébastien Pocognoli’s appointment.
• His 3-5-2 formation has moved away from relentless high pressing and instead has built a platform for wing-back overloads and structured pressing. The Pafos FC vs AS Monaco betting tips also note that this tactical shift could make Monaco more defensively sound.
• The Monegasques have lost two of their last five in all competitions, suffering 4-1 defeats to Rennes and Lens, but also recorded a clean sheet away win at Bodø/Glimt in the Champions League.
• Monaco have a number of attacking weapons that can hurt any defence, especially Ansu Fati, who can provide pace and directness on the wing and is an excellent finisher in transition.
• Takumi Minamino and Maghnes Akliouche run the engine room, linking midfield to attack and unlocking the opposition with their passing, while Folarin Balogun’s return from injury should provide a clinical finisher up front.

Head-to-Head

Pafos FC

Monaco

• Monaco have a number of attacking weapons that can hurt any defence, especially Ansu Fati, who can provide pace and directness on the wing and is an excellent finisher in transition.
• Takumi Minamino and Maghnes Akliouche run the engine room, linking midfield to attack and unlocking the opposition with their passing, while Folarin Balogun’s return from injury should provide a clinical finisher up front.

Betting Insights

• However, Monaco clearly have the better squad and more options in attack, which is why we are backing the favourites here. Based on the Pafos FC vs AS Monaco betting tips, it’s expected that Monaco’s depth could make the difference.
• However, Pafos are enjoying excellent form and won’t be intimidated by this challenge as they have experience of playing the big teams.
• We believe the long odds of 5.33 available for a home win is far too high and the fact that Pafos are conceding just 1 goal in their last 3 home matches makes us think that an upset or draw could be on the cards.
• Back Over 2.5 goals at 1.7 also appeals to us, although Pafos are so defensively disciplined that it is hard to imagine a high-scoring game. Our Pafos FC vs AS Monaco betting tips also recommend considering both the defensive solidity of Pafos and the attacking prowess of Monaco before placing your bets.
• David Luiz has been a shrewd signing by Pafos as he has Champions League experience and is a captain who can marshal the defence while Paul Pogba’s return for Monaco adds a little extra to the intrigue and star power of this matchup.
• It will be a mild, clear evening at the Alphamega Stadium for a classic David-versus-Goliath European night.

Prediction

• However, Monaco clearly have the better squad and more options in attack, which is why we are backing the favourites here.
• We believe the long odds of 5.33 available for a home win is far too high and the fact that Pafos are conceding just 1 goal in their last 3 home matches makes us think that an upset or draw could be on the cards.