Cypriot Football returns for a whirlwind season (preview)
The recommencement of the Cypriot First League is right around the corner, with some very intriguing games for round 1 set to be played.
Round 1
Ethnikos Achnas v ENP
Both sides are looking to bounce back from woeful form as they return to the league. Achnas have had a disappointing pre-season, losing 4 of their 5 pre season games. Whilst ENP, drew 3 of their 4 pre-season games and have not won in the league since March. Achnas’ last win in the league came in the same month. ENP have won 1 game in their last 5 away from home, and Achnas’ last win at home was an amazing win against Apollon in the cup, since then they have lost the last 4 games at home. Head to head wise, the last game was a draw, and ENP’s last win in this fixture dates all the way back to 2015.
APOEL v Karmiotissa
APOEL are devastated the league stopped when it did, as they had a good chance of coming back. They play host to newly promoted side Karmiotissa who return to the first league. APOEL’s last loss came to Basel in the Europa League, since then, they have won 4 in their last 8, with 4 draws. Karmiotissa’s form is not looking too good, they only won 1 of their 8 friendlies, and were destroyed 8-1 to AEL and 4-0 to Apollon. These two sides have only ever encountered each other twice, with APOEL succeeding in both meetings. A 4-1 and 1-0 win respectively. APOEL have not lost at home since that Basel game in February, and Karmiotissa away, their last win came on the 16th of July against Olympiakos Nicosia in a friendly.
Pafos FC v Omonia
Omonia’s recent European triumph will have their confidence way over the roof. Pafos FC seem well prepared after spending majority of their pre-season in Latvia, away from the scorching Cypriot summer. Pafos FC’s most recent result was a draw to Anorthosis, showing they can compete against the top 4 sides. Omonia have 1 loss in their last 5. Head to head wise, Pafos FC dominate this fixture, winning 3 out of the last 5 meetings. The last time Omonia won this fixture dates back to 2017. Pafos FC at home are on a 3 game winning streak. Omonia have won 2 out of their last 5 away fixtures.
Apollon v Doxa
Apollon’s last loss in a friendly against APOEL snapped their 5 game winning streak. However, they have built a fortress at home, only losing 1 of their last 10 home games, with a run of 5 still in tact. Doxa won their last away game. This fixture remains one sided, with Apollon winning the last 7 meetings between these sides. The last time Doxa won in this affair, dates all the way back to 2008. Doxa have won 2 out of their last 5 games.
Olympiakos Nicosia v AEL Lemesos
Olympiakos Nicosia have won 2 out of their last 5 games, with a win in their last game. This same form comes to AEL as well. The home side are on a three game losing streak in their own back yard, whilst AEL won their last away game against AEK Larnaca. Olympiakos Nicosia have not won this fixture since 2011, and AEL since 2018. The last two results of this game were a draw. Both sides look to return a positive run of form, and look to grab a win they both long desire in the fixture between these two sides.
Anorthosis v Ermis
Anorthosis are in an excellent run of form, winning 3 out of their last 5 matches, with two draws. They come into the league with an almost title winning season cut short by Omonia and the cancellation of the league. Ermis come into the game off the back of a win, but that’s their only win in 5, with 3 draws and a loss too. Head to head wise, it remains in favour of Anorthosis, winning 3 out of the last 5 fixtures, including the most recent one. Ermis’ last win against Anorthosis came at the start of 2019, and look to bring a win back to Aradippou.
Nea Salamis v AEK Larnaca
The away side does not need to travel far, as both sides’ stadiums sit in the same city, and 5 minutes away from each other. Nea Salamis only won 2 of their 8 friendly matches. Whilst AEK, won 3 of their 8 friendly matches. Both sides sit with a loss as their most recent game, and a local derby is the best way to rejuvenate form. Nea Salamis have won 3 of the last 5 match ups against these sides. AEK last beat Nea Salamis in the cup in 2019, but in the league, that dates back to 2018. Both teams have a win to play for, and bragging rights for the city.
Photo Source: Agona Sport.