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

Prediction published on 20/08/2023, 12:11  by Steve Ashfield | Modified on 20/08/2023 at 13:11 in Champions League Predictions

Belgian champions Royal Antwerp begin their bid to reach the Champions League group stages. They host AEK Athens in the first leg of the play-off round. Antwerp won the Belgian title last season 66 years after their last title success. That took the Reds into the 1957-58 European Cup where they lost 8-1 on aggregate to Real Madrid. In the decades that have followed, their big success was in the 1992-93 European Cup Winners Cup. The Belgians made it all the way to the final losing 3-1 to Parma. Twice since then ''The Great Old' have reached the Europa League group stages and last season lost in the play-off round of the Europa Conference League. They have made a steady start to the new Jupiler League season. After four games they are in fifth place with seven points. Two home games have both been won to nil, including a 6-0 thrashing of Kortrijk. Theyll want to transfer their home league form to the Champions League. Six of their last seven home league matches have been won, the other drawn. Only one of their last three home European games has been lost with two clean sheets kept.

AEK Athens beat Dinamo Zagreb in the third qualifying round. They came from behind to win the away first leg 2-1 and then drew 2-2 back on home soil for a 4-3 aggregate win. It so nearly all went wrong for the Yellow Blacks. The Greek side went 2-0 down and were behind on aggregate going into second half injury time. Goals in the 92nd and 100th minute turned the tie around and put them in the play-off round. AEK last got to the Champions League group stages in the 2018-19 season. They have lost three of their last five away European games. We go for Antwerp to get a home win.