AEK Athens vs Brighton prediction, lineups, odds and bet builder tips
AEK Athens vs Brighton prediction, odds, lineups and bet builder tips for today’s Group B match in the Europa League
Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton side look to continue their strong recent form in their debut Europa League campaign as they head to the Greek capital to take on former Argentine international, Matias Almeyda’s, Greek Super League title-winning AEK team.
A win for Brighton against AEK Athens would almost certainly confirm their spot in the knockout rounds. Having struggled to adapt in the opening two games weeks with a 3-2 home loss to Thursday night’s opponents and a 2-2 draw to current Group B toppers Marseille, Brighton have recorded back-to-back 2-0 wins against a domestically flailing Ajax side to put them 2nd in the group, and in pole position for the next round.
AEK currently sit one place, and three points, behind Brighton. A win on home turf would open up the group, and, should Ajax beat Marseille at Stade Vélodrome, the knockout spots would go down to the final gameweek.
De Zerbi will be hoping to avoid such a turn of events; a Brighton win, coupled with an anticipated Marseille victory, would guarantee safe passage for the pair.
AEK Athens vs Brighton Prediction
Brighton are unbeaten both continentally and domestically since their first Europa League victory against Ajax on 26th October. It’s not been all rosy, though. In the league they laboured to three consecutive 1-1 draws, before beating Nottingham Forest in a ding-dong 3-2 at the City Ground last Saturday.
They are, however, the form team in the Europa League group - alongside Marseille who are just a point ahead - so perhaps the boys in blue and white have struck form just at the right time. Truthfully, a victory on Thursday night could enable De Zerbi to rest players for the final group game, which undoubtedly would only help the incoming winter fixture deluge.
But, their opponents are no pushovers. AEK are a seasoned European football side, having featured in Europa League and Champions League group stages with the same regularity that Brighton’s scouting network unearths a unheard-of wonderkid from South America.
Last season, they topped their domestic division and won the national cup. And, so far this season, they have lost just once domestically and twice in the Europa League - both against Marseille.
It’ll be a tight affair with both sides still having a lot to play for. But, on this occasion, and with a certain Evan Ferguson returning, it’s Brighton’s game to lose. 2-0 Brighton.
AEK Athens vs Brighton Lineups
How are both teams expected to line up on Thursday? Here are the predicted lineups from WhoScored.com with all the relevant team news.
AEK Athens Predicted Lineup vs Brighton
Stankovic; Sidibe, Vida, Mitoglou, Hajisafi; Szymanski; Amrabat, Mantalos, Pineda, Gacinovic; Zuber
Brighton Predicted Lineup vs AEK Athens
Steele; Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Gross; Dahoud, Baleba; Adingra, Pedro, Buonanotte; Ferguson
AEK Athens vs Brighton Team News
AEK Athens will be without a handful of players as Harold Moukoudi, Jens Jonsson and Levi Garcia look set to miss the opening Group B clash.
Cican Stankovic returns after serving his Europa League suspension last time out and is expected to regain his starting spot.
Brighton remain without the likes of Julio Enciso, Solly March, Pervis Estupinan and Danny Welbeck for the trip to Greece.
The Seagulls have a few players who will be assessed prior to kick-off, including James Milner, Kaoru Mitoma, Ansu Fati and Igor Julio.
AEK Athens vs Brighton Odds
Unibet’s offers on this one are certainly set in Brighton’s favour - they’re rated at 22/25 for a win. AEK come in at 11/4, while a draw will fetch you 29/10.
The odds above are quoted from Unibet, whose welcome offer gives new customers £30 in football free bets + £10 casino bonus from a £10 qualifying football bet.
AEK Athens vs Brighton Bet Builder
Brighton Win
Half-time/Full-time Brighton/Brighton
João Pedro to Score Anytime
AEK under 0.5 Goals
Summer signing João Pedro has been Brighton’s go-to-guy in Europe this year, bagging four goals to make him the competition’s joint top scorer alongside Freiburg’s Vincenzo Grifo. He also scored twice on Saturday so is in good all-comp form.
Having Pedro to score at anytime, added to a Brighton win and Brighton both Half-time/Full-time (19/10), plus AEK under 0.5 goals - Brighton haven’t conceded in the competition in their last two gameweeks - will bring in a build of 19/2 with Unibet.
It may do AEK a disservice, but it’s a solid build.
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