NK Celje
- The contrast in styles for this clash will be fascinating to watch as midfield-based NK Celje try to outrun and outwit AEK Athens in what should be a physical and tactical game.
- Cool, potentially damp conditions in Celje could favor a compact, physical contest, so the game could be tight and tense from the off.
- Ivan Maewski has kept Celje playing in a forward-thinking, attacking manner and his team have done enough in the knockout rounds of Europe to suggest they can reach a historic European quarter-final.
- Celje have won both legs against Kosovo’s Drita in the current competition, 3-2 and 3-2, and they come into this clash after beating Mura 5-1 in the Slovenian PrvaLiga.
- But their last two domestic away games have seen them suffer back-to-back losses, suggesting they will have to be at their best to match or better the Greeks on Thursday.
- Franko Kovačević will again be the main threat for the home team, having bagged a hat-trick against AEK in their UEFA Conference League meeting earlier this season.
AEK Athens
- AEK are unbeaten in their last five in all competitions, winning their two home games by 4-0 scores and drawing the other three.
- The Greeks are a well-organised team with real quality in the frontline and in midfield where the engine room duo of Orbelín Pineda and Răzvan Marin have been in the assists chart for most of the season.
- Luka Jović is their number nine and leads the line.
- Marko Nikolić’s men are solid, structured and play with a high-energy pressing game at the front, but they will be tested by Celje’s counter-attacking style and must be wary of the hosts’ transition speed.
Head-to-Head
The first-leg psychological advantage lies with NK Celje , who won the only previous European meeting 3-1 at home in the UEFA Conference League group stage.
Key Players
- Franko Kovačević - main threat for Celje, bagged a hat-trick against AEK earlier this season.
- Orbelín Pineda - part of AEK’s midfield engine room and key in the assists chart.
- Răzvan Marin - the other midfield partner driving AEK’s creativity.
- Luka Jović - AEK’s number nine who leads the line.
Betting Insights
- AEK are the bookmakers’ favorites to win this match at 2.06.
- Celje are 3.3 for the win.
- Both teams to score - Yes is heavily favored at 1.6.
Prediction
- A solitary goal or set-piece could settle the first leg, so a draw or narrow AEK win is the most likely result.
- Celje top the Slovenian PrvaLiga on 50 points from 24 games, while AEK lead the Greek Super League on 56 points from 24 matches.
