AEK Athens and Ajax are set to face off at the OPAP Arena in the Europa League group stage on Thursday night, both eager to bounce back from recent domestic defeats.
Match Preview
In the opening gameweek, AEK Athens surprised many by securing a 3-2 victory against Brighton & Hove Albion, despite being considered the underdogs.
The Greek champions showcased their resilience as they overcame two penalties from Joao Pedro with goals from Djibril Sidibe, Mijat Gacinovic, and a late winner from substitute Ezequiel Ponce.
Following their triumph over Brighton, AEK Athens continued their winning streak with consecutive 2-1 victories in the Greek Super League. However, their momentum was halted by a 2-0 defeat to OFI on Monday.
The team’s performance at home has been lackluster this season, having won only one out of their first five games in the Greek capital.
Additionally, AEK Athens has struggled in their Europa League home matches, failing to win any of their last 12 games on their own turf, with seven losses and five draws.
Ajax, on the other hand, enters the clash having lost all four previous meetings with the Dutch giants in the Champions League, with an aggregate score of 9-1.
Despite leading twice in their group stage opener against Marseille, Ajax settled for a 3-3 draw.
Carlos Forbs, Steven Berghuis, and Kenneth Taylor found the net for Ajax, but Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s late goal secured a point for Marseille.
Off the pitch, Ajax experienced chaos as their Eredivisie showdown against Feyenoord was abandoned due to crowd trouble.
The match was eventually completed, resulting in a 4-0 away win for Feyenoord. Additionally, their recent fixture against RKC Waalwijk was cut short due to a serious injury to the host’s goalkeeper.
As Ajax returns to Europa League action, they aim to regain their momentum and build upon their impressive European record.
The team has lost only two out of their last 19 Europa League group-stage games and holds an unbeaten streak of 11 matches against Greek opposition in European competitions.
Team News:
AEK Athens will be without Domagoj Vida (rib), Levi Garcia (muscle), Paolo Fernandes (Achilles), and the doubtful Jens Jonsson.
Tom van Weert, Alexander Callens, Zini, and Stavros Pilios are ineligible for selection in the Europa League.
Ajax will miss the suspended Silvano Vos, along with Geronimo Rulli, Sivert Mannsverk, and Ahmetcan Kaplan, who are sidelined due to injuries.
Predicted Lineups:
AEK Athens:
Stankovic;
Sidibe, Szymanski, Mitoglou, Hajsafi;
Galanopoulos;
Amrabat, Gacinovic;
Pineda;
Araujo, Ponce
Ajax:
Gorter;
Rensch, Sutalo, Hato, Sosa;
Taylor, Van den Boomen, Berghuis;
Bergwijn, Brobbey, Forbs
Prediction:
We predict an entertaining 2-2 draw between AEK Athens and Ajax, considering their attacking prowess and recent performances.