AEK Athens vs Antwerp prediction 30.08.2023
AEK Athens
1 : 2
Antwerp
The match has ended, you can view football predictions for today and football predictions for tomorrow.
Contents
- Competition: Champions League, Playoff Round, 2nd Leg
- Date: Wednesday, 30th August 2023
- Kickoff: 20:00 UTC +1 / 21:00 CEST
- Venue: OPAP Arena (Athens)
After a 1:0 win in the first leg for Antwerp, the Greek champs, AEK, will host the second leg in OPAP Arena in Athens in the, undoubtedly, one of the most important matches of the season for both teams.
AEK Athens are coming to this season after a very successful previous season when they managed to win The Double, the third one in the club's history. In the league, they left the second-placed Panathinaikos five points behind, while in the Cup, they won 2:0 in the finals vs PAOK, despite having a player less for almost the entire game. This season, they kept all important players and added a few good additions, so we expect another good season from them.
Last season, Antwerp won their fourth league title in a thrilling final match of the season. They were only seconds away from losing the title, but with a stoppage-time goal for a 2:2, Antwerp secured the title, leaving Genk just one point behind. After 66 years, Antwerp finally won the league title, the fourth in the club's history. Also, just like AEK, Antwerp also won The Double last season, but only the first in the club's history.
AEK Athens vs Antwerp pick: AEK to win
In the first leg, Antwerp won 1:0, but objectively, AEK Athens were a much better team and deserved more from that match. They had 21 goal attempts, compared to only eight of Antwerp, and according to xG statistics, AEK should have scored 2.17 goals. Yes, Antwerp received a red card in the 51st minute, but AEK were, subjectively, a better team even before that moment. Now, at OPAP Arena in Athens, we expect an even better display from AEK as they tend to play much better at home, like most teams from South-Eastern Europe do. Last season, in the domestic championship, AEK won 14 of 18 home games (78%), allowing only seven goals.
Antwerp are in solid form, with just one loss in six matches in all competitions. Still, on the road, they played just two games (both in the Jupiler Pro League) and won just one point, scoring one goal.
As we mentioned, Antwerp won the first leg 1:0, but before that game, these teams met twice, with AEK winning both times (3:0 and 2:0).
AEK Athens vs Antwerp Head to Head (H2H) stats
-
AEK Athens
1 : 2
Antwerp
Champions League
-
Antwerp
1 : 0
AEK Athens
Champions League
-
Antwerp
0 : 3
AEK Athens
Club Friendlies 3
AEK Athens team news
Besides Paolo Fernandes, who missed the first leg, AEK should miss at least one more player. Levi Garcia, who started as a striker against Antwerp, suffered an injury in that match and had to leave the field after 36 minutes. With him out, Ezequiel Ponce, who arrived during the Summer from Elche, will most likely start up front.
Probably the team's best striker (and team captain), Sergio Araujo, missed the final part of the season and a big part of the preseason due to injury. He will most likely play only 20-30 minutes as he is still not fully ready.
In the previous game, in the domestic league, coach Matias Almeyda heavily rotated the squad to keep his key players fresh for the crucial game of the season vs Antwerp.
Last matches of AEK Athens
-
AEK Athens
1 : 0
Aris
Super League
-
AEK Athens
0 : 1
Brighton & Hove Albion
Europa League
-
PAS Giannina
0 : 1
AEK Athens
Super League
-
AEK Athens
3 : 0
Lamia
Super League
-
AEK Athens
0 : 2
Marseille
Europa League
AEK Athens lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Cican Stanković
Defenders
-
12
Lazaros Rota
-
21
Domagoj Vida
-
2
Harold Moukoudi
-
28
Ehsan Haji Safi
Midfielders
-
5
Nordin Amrabat
-
4
Damian Szymański
-
10
Steven Zuber
-
13
Orbelín Pineda
Forwards
-
8
Mijat Gaćinović
-
14
Ezequiel Ponce
Antwerp team news
Coach Mark van Bommel was delighted after a 1:0 win over AEK, especially since they played with ten players for almost one half. He said they played a good first half but were lucky not to concede during that time, as AEK had three or four good chances. "This team never gives up, and we survived their last offensive. In the end, when you win 1-0 in the Champions League, playing forty minutes shorthanded, you must be happy with the victory," the coach added.
The team's best full-back, Jelle Bataille, will miss the game since he received a straight red card in the previous match.
Besides Bataille, who is out with suspension, coach van Bommel will miss only Kobe Corbanie and Ortwin De Wolf, but they are not an important part of the squad.
Last matches of Antwerp
-
Antwerp
5 : 2
Charleroi
Belgian Cup
-
Antwerp
1 : 0
OH Leuven
Pro League
-
FC Shakhtar Donetsk
1 : 0
Antwerp
Champions League
-
Sint-Truiden
1 : 1
Antwerp
Pro League
-
Antwerp
6 : 0
Standard Liege
Pro League
Antwerp lineup
Goalkeeper
-
1
Jean Butez
Defenders
-
2
Ritchie De Laet
-
23
Toby Alderweireld
-
44
Soumaila Coulibaly
-
21
Sam Vines
Midfielders
-
48
Arthur Vermeeren
-
27
Mandela Keita
-
10
Michel Ange Balikwisha
-
24
Jürgen Ekkelenkamp
-
11
Arbnor Muja
Forwards
-
18
Vincent Janssen
3 Reasons why AEK Athens should win
- AEK played very well in the first leg, despite the loss
- AEK won 78% of their home games in the league last season
- Antwerp won just one point in two road games this season
Main prediction AEK Athens - Antwerp
AEK Athens to win
Best Odds:
22bet
1.7
Do you agree with Nikola qq ?
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Yes 65%
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