AEK Athens vs Royal Antwerp Prediction & Betting Tips - Champions League

Prediction published on 28/08/2023, 13:15  by Devesh Jaganath in Champions League Predictions

AEK Athens and Antwerp will face off in the second leg of the Champions League qualification playoffs this Wednesday. Antwerp currently lead 1-0 on aggregate, and the winner of this tie will move on to the group stages of the Champions League. AEK Athens come into this match following a 1-1 draw against Panserraikos in their first league match of the season over the weekend. That was their third consecutive match without a win. The hosts entered this competition in the last round, where they beat Dinamo Zagreb 4-3 on aggregate. In the first leg, AEK went a goal down inside the first 20 minutes of the match. Yet, despite their opponents being reduced to ten men, the Greek champions were unable to find an equaliser. AEK last played in this competition in the 2018-19 season and reached the group stage but lost all six matches. Most bookmakers have them as the favourite to win the match but as the outsider to qualify. 

Meanwhile, Antwerp entered this competition in this round and are competing in just their second-ever Champions League qualifiers. The last time was way back in the 1957-58 season, and they were knocked out in the first round of qualifying. The Reds secured a lead in the tie through Vincent Janssen’s goal in the 16th minute, which was his fifth in the last three matches. Jelle Bataille will not be eligible to play in this match as he was the player sent off in the first leg. In their domestic league, Antwerp have taken seven points from their first four matches. They are five points behind league leaders Anderlecht, though they have played one less game. With a one-goal cushion and back to a full team, the visitors will be raring to go. Can they fulfil their dream of reaching their maiden Champions League main draw?