AEK Athens is set to face Celje in the second leg of their UEFA Conference League last-16 tie. The match will take place at the Agia Sophia Stadium on Thursday evening. Following a commanding 4-0 victory in Slovenia, AEK Athens is poised to advance comfortably to the quarter-finals.
Match Preview: AEK Athens vs. Celje
AEK Athens has been consistently strong this season. They started the League Phase with five wins, one draw, and one defeat, with the only loss occurring against Celje in their opening match. Since that setback, AEK Athens has triumphed over notable teams, including Fiorentina and Samsunspor. Their dominant performance in the first leg showcased their strength, leading 4-0 by the 49th minute.
Currently, AEK Athens is on a 10-match unbeaten streak, boasting six wins and four draws across all competitions. They are part of a fierce competition for the top position in the Greek Super League, standing alongside two other clubs.
Celje’s Challenges
Celje entered this season with hopes of replicating their quarter-final success from 2024-25. However, their performance in the League Phase left them 13th, significantly impacting their European ambitions. They now focus solely on their domestic league unless they can achieve an extraordinary comeback.
- Recent Form: Celje has won four and lost four of their last eight matches.
- Latest Victory: They secured a 1-0 win against Koper while playing against ten men.
- Recent Leadership Change: Vitor Campelos recently took over as head coach.
Celje currently leads the Prva Liga by seven points, aiming to reclaim the title they lost last season. In the Conference League, their victories came against the Kosovan club Drita during the playoff round, where they won 3-2 in both matches.
Team News
A match preview would be incomplete without analyzing the team lineups. AEK Athens does not have any players suspended for this match. However, six players risk missing the next game if booked, including Luka Jovic and Petros Mantalos. Expect rotations, with James Penrice and Roberto Pereyra among those who may see increased playing time.
Celje’s manager, Campelos, may want to maintain consistency after a recent victory. Keeper Zan Luk Leban could replace Luka Kolar, while players like Ivan Calusic and Andrej Kotnik might be introduced to refresh the midfield.
Possible Lineups
| AEK Athens | Celje |
|---|---|
| Strakosha | Leban |
| Penrice, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilios | Nieto, Hrka, Karnicnik, Tutyskinas |
| Gacinovic, Pereyra, Marin, Koita | Calusic |
| Zini, Varga | Avdyli, Daniel, Kvesic, Iosifov |
| Kucys |
Match Prediction
Fans predict an AEK Athens victory, potentially 3-0, bringing the aggregate score to a staggering 7-0. While the Greek side might rotate their squad, their established strength should ensure a decisive win. Meanwhile, Celje will strive to play for pride, even with the odds stacked against them.
