Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Brighton
Match Time & Date:
21/09/2023
03:00 PM
Prediction: 2-0
AEK Athens
Brighton will look to impress on their Europa League debut when they welcome AEK Athens to their Amex Stadium on Thursday evening. The Seagulls are seen as one of the teams to beat in the 2023/2024 Europa League campaign, but the Greeks should not be underestimated. There are no fresh injury worries in the home team, but both Joao Pedro and Evan Ferguson are pushing for a start. Both Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder remain in the recovery room.
The Yellow-Blacks, on the other hand, played out a 1-1 draw with Olympiakos in the Greek Super League derby at the weekend. AEK often struggle on the travels in European competitions and given Brighton’s splendid display in a 3-1 win at Manchester United, home win should be considered. There are no fresh injury concerns in the away team ahead of the trip to England..
Highlighted Player (Joel Veltman):
Joel Veltman is a Dutch footballer who was born in Velsen on 15 January, 1992. Veltman started his youth career at VV Ijmuiden and in 2011 he was spotted by Ajax scouts. In the 2012/2013 Eredivisie campaign he played for the first team and he made seven league appearances for the Amsterdammers back then.
The centre back, who plays as a right back as well made six appearances for Jong Ajax as well, scoring one goal for the team in the Eerste Divisie. Veltman has 8 caps for Netherlands U20 team and he made his debut for the first team in November 2013 against Colombia. He started the match and he played 90 minutes in the goalless draw with the South American side.
Joel Veltman represented the Oranje at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. It has to be noted that the Dutch defender made 34 league appearances for Ajax in the 2015/2016 Eredivisie campaign, scoring one goal in the process. In the 2013/2014 season he won his second Eredivisie trophy with Ajax.
Highlighted Team (AEK Athens):
Established in 1924, AEK Athens are one of a number of Greek clubs based in Athens. The Enosis (Union) are well known for their passionate fans and Original 21 are considered the club’s main supporters’ group. AEK Athens play their home games in black shirts with yellow stripes and black shorts, while they often wear gray jerseys and yellow shorts when facing their rivals on the road.
Olympic Stadium in Athens is the club’s home ground and the venue can hold up to 69.618 people. AEK share rivalries with fellow capital clubs Panathinaikos and Olympiakos and the rivalry with Olympiakos was inflamed in 1996, when AEK former ace and then-coach joined the Thrylos. AEK have 12 Greek Super League trophies, but it has to be noted that they clinched their last domestic title back in 1994.
Speaking of the Greek Cup, the Enosis won their 15th trophy in the competition in 2016, with the team beating Olympiakos in the title game. In the 1966/1967 season AEK made it to the UEFA Cup semis, but Italian giants Juventus proved to be a big catch for the Greek side.
Southampton
Liverpool
Ipswich
Manchester United
Napoli
AS Roma
Leganes
Real Madrid
Lazio 
Bologna 
Nice 
Strasbourg 
