AEK Athens FC vs Brighton prediction: EUROPE: Europa League – Group Stage betting tips on match 2023-11-29 17:45.
Having met on matchday one, AEK Athens and Brighton will clash again with both sides having experienced contrasting fortunes in UEFA Europa League (UEL) action since. The hosts picked up four points from their opening two games, including the 3-2 victory in Brighton, but have lost their two UEL games since, leaving them third and three points behind their visitors. They’ll boast a psychological edge thanks to the win in the first H2H, yet six straight defeats to English sides before that shows how history still remains firmly against them.
Their last European success against an English side before the win in the reverse was a 3-0 home victory against QPR way back in 1976/77. That was also the scoreline in their last domestic home game, with that win coming three days after a 2-0 away defeat to Marseille. They followed it up with another league win (1-0) away last weekend and could now secure three straight competitive victories with clean sheets for the first time since March.
Brighton have adapted fast in their first-ever European adventure, going undefeated in their past three UEL matches (W2, D1), with manager Roberto De Zerbi seemingly now finding the right balance between attack and defence, which had been lacking in the opening two rounds. His side has netted twice in all four of their UEL games so far, but conceded five goals in their first two matches of the competition. They’ve secured clean sheets in both outings since, dispatching four-time European champions Ajax home and away, meaning victory here will see them progress to the knockouts.
The Seagulls’ confidence also received a timely boost over the weekend when they beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 away from home, despite being reduced to ten men following Lewis Dunk’s red card in the 73rd minute. That was Brighton’s first Premier League win in seven matches (D4, L2), with the three prior league fixtures all ending 1-1.
Players to watch: Former Everton player Djibril Sidibé scored an early opener for AEK in the reverse fixture, meaning each of his three personal H2Hs (W2, L1) have produced at least one first-half goal, with two of those matches ending 3-2. Brighton’s João Pedro grabbed a brace in that first meeting, and netted twice more at Forest on Saturday.
Hot streak: AEK Athens’ last four competitive home matches have seen the eventual winner also secure a clean sheet (W3, L1).