The OPAP Arena in Athens will host a decisive UEFA Conference League play-off return leg on Thursday, as AEK Athens welcome Belgian side Anderlecht. With the first leg finishing 1-1 in Brussels, everything is still to play for, and the goal markets present a smart betting opportunity with strong value.
Match Preview
AEK Athens enter the second leg in a strong position, having secured a valuable away goal in Belgium. Marko Nikolić’s side displayed resilience in the first leg, equalizing late after conceding early, and their solid domestic start—most recently a 2-0 win over Panserraikos—has further lifted confidence within the squad.
Defensively, AEK are well-drilled and difficult to break down. They’ve conceded just four goals across their last six matches, keeping three clean sheets in the process. At home, they’ve been particularly strong—unbeaten in their last four games at the OPAP Arena (3 wins, 1 draw).
Anderlecht, meanwhile, will look to build on a strong attacking display from the first leg, where they tallied 20 total shots and 10 on target—but were wasteful in front of goal, scoring just once. Under David Hubert, the Belgian side have looked solid overall, posting three wins, two draws, and one loss in their last six matches across all competitions.
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However, Anderlecht’s approach in European fixtures has been more conservative. Their last two away Conference League games both ended 1-1, and none of their last three matches have produced more than two goals. This suggests a repeat of a low-scoring scenario is quite plausible in Athens.
AEK Athens vs Anderlecht Lineups (Probable)
AEK Athens: Strakosha; Rota, Relvas, Mukudi, Pilios; Pereira, Mantalos, Pineda; Koita, Gacinovic, Zini
Anderlecht: Kusmans; Augustinsson, Simic, Hey, Maamar; Liansana, Kett; Degriff, Khazar, Angulo; Dolberg
AEK Athens vs Anderlecht Head-to-Head (Key Match Facts)
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The first leg ended 1-1, with Anderlecht dominating possession and chances.
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AEK have seen under 2.5 goals in each of their last three matches.
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Anderlecht are unbeaten in two straight Conference League away games, both ending 1-1.
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Both teams prioritize defensive stability over risky attacking play.
AEK Athens vs Anderlecht Prediction and Betting Tip
Given how the first leg unfolded—and considering the defensive tendencies of both sides—this second leg is unlikely to be a goal-fest. AEK Athens will look to control the game on home soil, while Anderlecht are expected to adopt a cautious, pragmatic approach in a high-stakes match.
Betting Tip: Under 2.5 Total Goals
Odds: 1.78
Why it works: Both sides favor structured, defensive setups and have a recent history of low-scoring outcomes. Expect a tense, tactical battle with limited scoring opportunities.
