AEK Larnaca vs Shkendija prediction: EUROPE: Conference League – League phase betting tips on match 2025-12-17 20:00.
[p]AEK Larnaca will be eyeing up a place in the top eight of the UEFA Conference League when they host aĀ ShkĆ«ndija side clinging on to their place in the qualification positions.Ā [/p]
[p]Match News and Current Form[/p]
[p]Despite going 1-0 down at home to Omonia in a huge domestic fixture on Monday, AEK Larnaca found a way to grind out another draw to extend their unbeaten run across all competitions to 13 matches (W7, D6). That served as their fourth stalemate across their last five outings, and draws have held them back in the Conference League more than anywhere else as their last three such fixtures have ended level. A 94th-minute HƤcken equaliser was the first goal the Cypriots have conceded in the league phase, and despite remaining unbeaten, theyāll still need a positive result to secure automatic progression to the last 16, even if a play-off place is almost assured.[/p]
[p]In their first full European campaign, Shkƫndija remain in the hunt to qualify for the knockout stage as they sit just inside the top 24 ahead of the final matchday. With just a one-point buffer to sides outside the qualification places, the North Macedonian outfit know that they need a win here to make absolutely sure of progression. A strong return of just two goals conceded across their last four league phase matches shows they should at least be able to keep things tight here, yet both of their away matches ending in defeat underlines why Shkƫndija are outsiders here.[/p]
[p]Head-to-Head History[/p]
[p]This will be the first time that AEK Larnaca face a side from North Macedonia, and the first time that Shkƫndija have met Cypriot opposition.[/p]
[p]Hot Stats and Streaks[/p]
[p]Five of AEK Larnacaās last six matches have seen both teams score.[/p]
[p]AEK Larnacaās Conference League games have averaged a joint-competition low 1.4 total goals.Ā [/p]
[p]Only Rayo Vallecano (19) and AEK Larnaca (17) have been shown more yellow cards than Shkƫndija (16) in the Conference League this season.[/p]
[p]Three of ShkĆ«ndijaās four goals in the Conference League this season have been scored from corners.[/p]
[p]Key Players to Watch and Missing Players[/p]
[p]Riad BajiÄ has two Conference League goals for AEK Larnaca this season, whilst heās not been on the losing side in any of his last 17 goalscoring appearances (W14, D3). ShkĆ«ndijaās Fiton Ademi has four goals this term, two of which were match openers inside 15 minutes.[/p]
[p]The hosts are without the suspended Pere Pons while Jimmy SuƔrez is a doubt. Shkƫndija appear to arrive with no fresh injury concerns.[/p]
[p]For all the latest team news, please check the Flashscore match centre.[/p]
[p]Betting Analysis[/p]
[p]Still unbeaten in the Conference League, itās difficult to look past an AEK Larnaca clean-sheet victory here.[/p]
[p][i]Author: Nathan Evans[/i][/p]