Hajduk Split vs Pafos Prediction 23.07.2026 | UEFA Europa League

Hajduk Split safely negotiated the opening hurdle of their 2026-27 European campaign by edging past Slovak outfit Zilina 3-2 on aggregate. Gonzalo Garcia's side laid the foundations for qualification with a clear 2-0 victory at Stadion Poljud before absorbing a 2-1 defeat in the return leg, doing enough to secure their place in the next round.

Speaking after the tie, Garcia praised his players' composure and resilience across both legs, while also stressing the importance of turning Poljud into a fortress throughout the season. Off the pitch, the club has undergone changes behind the scenes following Ivan Rakitic's departure from his role as technical director, although the squad's full attention remains firmly fixed on their European ambitions.

Backed by another passionate Poljud crowd, Hajduk will be eager to dictate proceedings from the opening whistle and make the most of the momentum built through competitive action over recent weeks. With several meaningful matches already under their belt, the Croatian side should also benefit from a sharper competitive edge than opponents who are still easing into the new campaign.

Garcia is expected to have an almost fully fit squad at his disposal, giving him the luxury of selecting from close to his strongest lineup. While several summer arrivals could be introduced from the bench, Alec Van Hoorenbeeck and Dalisson de Almeida are both in line to retain their places in the starting XI.

Pafos will make their first official appearance of the 2026-27 campaign when they step onto the pitch on Thursday. They secured their place in UEFA’s second-tier competition by lifting the domestic cup last term, following an impressive debut Champions League adventure a year earlier, where they collected nine points from eight matches and narrowly missed out on reaching the knockout rounds.

Since taking charge in April, experienced Portuguese coach Ricardo Sa Pinto has been tasked with building on that progress while adapting the squad to a new chapter. The former midfielder, who has extensive experience across the demanding Balkan football scene, used the summer preparation period to work on defensive organisation after a major overhaul at the back.

Pafos strengthened their squad with several notable additions, including goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki and Moroccan centre-back Samy Mmaee, both expected to play key roles immediately. However, the lack of competitive minutes in official fixtures and the challenge of integrating new arrivals under the intense atmosphere of Poljud Stadium could represent a major obstacle in Split.

Sa Pinto is likely to hand starting roles to Majecki and Mmaee from the opening whistle, with their presence considered crucial as Pafos look to remain solid defensively and secure a positive result away from home. Nevertheless, adapting quickly to the pressure of European football will be their biggest test.