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After a 0-0 draw in the first leg, the Champions League qualifying tie between AEK Athens and Levski Sofia is finely poised ahead of the second leg at the Allwyn Arena on Wednesday night.
AEK have not played in Europe's elite competition since 2018/19, and will aim to qualify for the league phase for the first time after the changed format.
Meanwhile, it is much longer since Levski Sofia played in the Champions League, last doing so in 2006/07.
Read our prediction, preview and betting tips for the game below, and make sure to check out our today's betting tips page for more of our expert predictions.
AEK Athens vs. Levski Sofia key stats
- AEK have won eight of their last 11 home games (D2, L1).
- Levski are unbeaten in seven Champions League qualifiers (W4, D3).
- Levski are unbeaten in 15 matches in all competitions (W10, D5).
AEK Athens vs. Levski Sofia preview: Visitors to emerge victorious?
AEK vs Levski Sofia — Tale of the Tape
| AEK | vs | Levski Sofia |
|---|---|---|
| 1st (Greek Super League) | Position | 2nd (Bulgarian Parva Liga) |
| 3 | Points | 15 |
| 4 | Goals For | 15 |
| 0 | Goals Against | 2 |
| 1 | Clean Sheets | 3 |
| 1st | Home / Away Rank | 6th |
AEK have entered the Champions League qualifiers at their final stage, and a win here would see them play in the competition for the first time in eight seasons.
They enter this stage after winning the Greek Super League last term, and have begun this league campaign with a 4-0 win at home to Iraklis 1908.
Marko Nikolic is unlikely to make too many changes from that convincing victory, as they do not seem to have any fresh injury concerns.
AEK are favourites on home soil, but will be aware of the threat Levski possess.
Indeed, having come through seven qualifiers already unscathed, avoiding defeat again here could be enough for the visitors.
Levski are on a high after winning the Bulgarian Parva Liga last season, and are currently second in the league this term.
They are unbeaten in 15 games across all competitions, and so have a real chance of playing in the Champions League proper for the first time in two decades.
Julio Velazquez will be missing a number of key players though, with as many as five expected to be ruled out with injury.
AEK Athens vs. Levski Sofia form guide & betting tips
| AEK | vs | Levski Sofia |
|---|---|---|
WWLDW |
Form | WWWDW |
| 13 | Goals For | 10 |
| 2 | Goals Against | 0 |
D |
Champions League | WWD |
Whispers predicts: AEK Athens 1-1 Levski Sofia (Levski to qualify)
AEK are 6/11 (1.55) favourites to win, but given Levski's record in qualifying and unbeaten run, we fancy the visitors to get the result they need to progress.
Backing Levski to qualify at 10/3 (4.33) offers great value, while Under 2.5 goals at 10/13 (1.77) is a safer bet to take given both sides have conceded just twice between them across their last five games.
In terms of potential goalscorers, Armstrong Oko-flex netted a brace for Levski in their 6-0 thrashing of Spartak Varna in the Bulgarian top flight last time out, and so Oko-flex to score anytime at 6/1 (7.00) could be worth a punt.
Overall, we are predicting a 1-1 draw after normal time, which is available at 7/1 (8.00).
> Under 2.5 goals at 10/13 (1.77) | Likelihood: Probable
> Levski to qualify at 10/3 (4.33) | Likelihood: Outsider
> Oko-flex to score anytime at 6/1 (7.00) | Likelihood: Outsider