D. Zagreb (Cro) vs AEK Athens FC (Gre) prediction: EUROPE: Champions League – Qualification betting tips on match 2023-08-14 18:00.
After the first leg between Dinamo Zagreb and AEK Athens was postponed due to a Greek supporter being stabbed last week, the originally scheduled second leg in Croatia will now be played as the first leg on Tuesday evening. Having now lost home advantage in the second leg, Dinamo Zagreb can at least fall back on the fact they’re six games into their season (W4, D1, L1). Keeping the back door shut has been key for Igor Bišćan’s side, who have kept clean sheets in five of those six matches.
The Blues dined at the top table of European football last year, and if they can replicate the home form from that campaign which saw them lose only one game out of six (W3, D2) on their way to and during the UEFA Champions League (UCL) group stage, there may just be a spot at that table for them again. The Stadion Maksimir enjoyed a famous 1-0 win over Chelsea last September, and having struck four goals in their final two qualifiers here for last season’s UCL, Dinamo may be out to essentially wrap this tie up on the night.
With the Greek Super League not starting until 26th August, AEK Athens will be looking to continue their strong end of season form that saw them lose just one of their last 12 matches (W8, D3). It was an impressive way to end their 99th season of existence as they picked up both the Super League and the Greek Cup, but they’ll want to build on that with European football this campaign to mark their centenary year.
That’s by no means a guarantee, as the Greeks haven’t reached the UCL group stages since 2018/19 and have only one UEFA Europa League (UEL) group stage campaign on their record since. Taking a step closer to improving that likely won’t be decided here, but with just one win from their last ten UCL away outings (D2, L7 inc qualifiers), they could be left with a mountain to climb in the second leg.
Players to watch: Dinamo’s Luka Ivanušec and AEK’s Levi GarcĂa have proven their goals are worth their weight in gold for their clubs, with Ivanušec stretching his unbeaten record when scoring to 27 (W24, D3) and Garcia’s 16 goalscoring outings last season all ending in victory!
Hot stat: From the 2015/16 season onwards, Dinamo Zagreb haven’t been beaten in the home leg of the UCL Third Qualifying Round (W3, D3).