Cyprus’s Omonia Nicosia host Belgium’s Royal Antwerp on Thursday night in the Europa League playoff round. The first leg between the two sides will take place at the GSP Stadium with the teams just one step away from making the Europa League group stage.
Royal Antwerp finished third last season and are on the rise in Belgian football at the moment. Manager Brian Piske took over the team in the offseason after François Vercauteren left the club. Priske had a lot of success at Denmark’s Midtjylland and now takes a step up in expectations.
Laatste training voor de afreis richting Nicosia! 🏋#RAFC #UEL #OneRedFamily pic.twitter.com/nCJPLQciX5— Royal Antwerp FC (@official_rafc) August 17, 2021
Laatste training voor de afreis richting Nicosia! 🏋#RAFC #UEL #OneRedFamily pic.twitter.com/nCJPLQciX5
The Great Old have not started the Belgian domestic league well. Just four points from 12 possible have been taken. Piske will hope a win on Thursday night against Omonia Nicosia improves the team’s form on the domestic front.
Cyprus’s domestic league does not kick off until this coming weekend. Omonia Nicosia have not played a league match, but did compete in the Europa League third qualifying round.
Omonia Nicosia defeated Estonia’s Flora thanks to a penalty shootout win. The Cypriots won the first leg 1-0 but lost the second leg 2-1. Omonia Nicosia won the tie thanks to a 5-4 penalty shootout win.
Royal Antwerp are entering the Europa League at the playoff round. Despite joining the tournament this week, they have far better fitness that Omonia Nicosia’s squad due to playing games in the Belgian top flight.
The Antwerp club announced a big transfer signing this week with the addition of midfielder Radja Nainggolan. The player joined from Inter Milan, but may not play the first leg due to needing more time to train.
The Great Old are on a two-match unbeaten streak having won and drawn their last two matches in Belgium. They claimed a 5-2 win against Standard Liege with forward Michael Frey scoring four goals. Frey has six goals this season for the club in just four matches.
Frey arrived from Fenerbahçe in the offseason as Royal Antwerp splurged on transfer signings. Bjorn Engels arrived from Aston Villa, Sam Vines from Colorado Rapids, and Yassine Ben Hamed from Ligue 1 champions Lille.
Omonia Nicosia and Royal Antwerp have never met in competitive action, and this will be their first-ever match. Omonia Nicosia go into the game with a lack of form and fitness. They just eked through the third qualifying round and should struggle against Royal Antwerp.
A lot of money has been spent at Antwerp and Priske’s team should claim a win in their Europa League playoff first leg. Expect this game to see both teams score and more than 2.5 goals. Three of Royal Antwerp’s games in 2021-22 have ended with both sides finding the back of the net.