Our prediction for this Europa League match:
Atmosphere at OPAP Arena will be electrifying when AEK Athens and Brighton go head to head in the Europa League group stages round 5. The Yellow-Blacks aim to overtake Brighton in second place in Group B, but they face a difficult task in Thursday’s encounter. Goalkeeper Cican Stankovic is back from suspension, while forward Paulo Fernandes remains on the sidelines with injury.
The Seagulls, on the other hand, are brimming with confidence following a come-from-behind Premier League win over Nottingham Forest. Given Brighton’s attacking potential, we believe that there is a big value in betting on both teams to score. Both Ansu Fati and Tariq Lamptey limped off with injuries in the last league match, while Mahmoud Dahoud and Lewis Dunk are both back from the domestic bans. The likes of March, Enciso, and Mitom remain in the recovery room. When the two teams met in England earlier in the process AEK Athens defeated Brighton 3-2.
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.