Prediction: AEK Athens vs Antwerp

Verdict: AEK Athens win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

With a Champions League group stage ticket still hanging firmly in the balance on Wednesday night, Antwerp will travel to AEK Athens for their second-leg showdown.

AEK Athens

Starting with the hosts, putting in what was a rugged first-leg performance on foreign soil last week, AEK Athens would have certainly been frustrated by their 1-0 loss. Missing a host of chances on either side of the half-time break, Matías Almeyda will be calling on his side to find a crucial clinical edge when they return to the Agia Sophia Stadium here. However, although the Double-Headed Eagles might have gained a string of plaudits earlier in the month as they edged their way past Dinamo Zagreb thanks to an action-packed 4-3 aggregate win, AEK failed to pick up much momentum over the weekend. Opening up the new Greek Super League campaign with a 1-1 stalemate at home against Panserraikos, the former Real Salt Lake boss could have a growing headache over his side’s recent issues at the back. Continuing on from their pre-season preparations over the summer, Wednesday’s hosts are without a clean sheet from any of their last five appearances.

Team News

Once again missing out on the first-leg last week and yet to make a single appearance since the end of May, Paulo Fernandes Cantin still remains sidelined by an Achilles tendon injury. However, aside from the one-time Manchester City starlet, Almeyda has reported a clean bill of health.

Coming off the bench and bagging a late equaliser at home against Panserraikos over the weekend, 28-year-old Mijat Gacinovic will be handed a full recall here.

Antwerp

As for the visitors, while Antwerp might have largely been second best on home soil last week, the Reds find themselves sat in pole position to punch a stellar Champions League ticket on Wednesday night. With their sights firmly set on defending their domestic crown this time around, Mark van Bommel’s side have lost just one of their last seven appearances across all competitions continuing on from their pre-season preparations. However, facing what looks set to be another stern examination when they travel out to Athens on Wednesday night, Antwerp have certainly shown some recent issues on the road. Including a toothless 1-0 loss at the hands of Anderlecht on August 8th, van Bommel’s side have failed to win any of their previous four showdowns away from the Bosuilstadion. Although Antwerp might be dreaming of the chance to make real history on foreign soil, Wednesday’s guests face what looks set to be a nervy second-leg battle in Athens.

Team News

All missing out on the first-leg last week, Antwerp will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Davino Verhulst, Bjoan Engels, Kobe Corbaine and Ortwin De Wolf. Likewise, shown a second-half red card at the Agia Sophia, 24-year-old Jelle Bataille will miss out through suspension on Wednesday night.

Bagging that first-leg strike last week and now bagging five goals in his last three appearances across all competitions, ex-Tottenham misfit Vincent Janssen will spearhead van Bommel’s charge here.

Key Factors to Consider

• When the two sides met at the Bosuilstadion last week, Antwerp picked up a 1-0 first-leg victory on home soil.
• However, the reigning Belgium champions are without a win from any of their last four appearances on the road.
• Ex-Tottenham striker and Dutch international Vincent Janssen has five goals in his last three matchups across all competitions.
• AEK Athens have failed to record a single clean sheet from any of their previous six appearances continuing on from their pre-season run.
• The Greek heavyweights have lost just a single contest in front of their own supporters over the past 12 months.

Conclusion

Left hugely frustrated on foreign soil last week as they eventually slumped to a 1-0 first-leg defeat at the Bosuilstadion, AEK will certainly be excited to make a return to home soil here. With their sights still firmly set on punching a Champions League group stage ticket on Wednesday night, the Greek heavyweights will be confident of completing an eye-catching turnaround. Remarkably suffering just a single completive defeat in front of their own supporters over the past 12 months, Athens will be looking to cash in on an Antwerp squad that have shown some recent issues on the road. Without a win away from the Bosuilstadion in their previous four attempts, we are backing a home victory in midweek.

Verdict: AEK Athens win

Best Odds: 4/5

Bookmaker: Luckster