Does Antwerp underline home strength?
It’s back – the world-famous UEFA Champions League anthem. The anthem doesn’t yet sound in the first three qualifying rounds, but it will play in the playoffs, signaling to players that the group stage is within reach. Six tickets are still up for grabs and the first legs in the battle for the top flight will be played on Tuesday and Wednesday. In the knockout clash between Antwerp and AEK Athens, betting odds on the entry into the group stage are offered almost even, with minimal advantages to be placed on the Greek champions.
As Belgian title holders, Royal Antwerp are already firmly in the playoffs and could now reach the group stage of the UEFA Champions League for the first time in history. The bookmaker we tested, Bet365, provides double the stake for this prediction on the match between Antwerp and AEK Athens. The guests from Greece secured their playoff ticket only last weekend – and in an extremely dramatic way. The Croatian serial champions were pushed into the valley of tears by two goals in injury time. Now it’s a matter of mobilizing the forces to be able to hold their own in the De Bosuil Stadium as well.
The oldest soccer club in Belgium (founded in 1880) will have home advantage on Tuesday evening. The match at De Bosuil Stadium kicks off at 8 p.m. on Tuesday.
Antwerp – statistics & current form
What a season finale! Veteran and captain Toby Alderweireld let all the dams break. The now 34-year-old defender was on hand in the 94th minute in a direct duel with KRC Genk and scored the 2:2 equalizer. A goal that made the oldest soccer club the champion. For the first time since 1956/57, Royal Antwerp could call itself champions again. After failing to beat Basaksehir in the Conference League playoffs last year, Royal Antwerp is at least in the group stage of the UEFA Europa League this season.
Strong home record
Head coach Mark van Bommel’s side may have picked up the crucial point away from home last season, but the foundation for their first championship in almost 70 years was laid at home. There were 20 home games in the last Jupiler Pro League season, 15 of which were won by the eventual title holders. With three draws and only two defeats, Royal Antwerp averages 2.35 points per home game.
The van Bommel protégés have already been able to demonstrate this strength this season, as the team still has a spotless clean sheet in the two home games so far. Two games, two wins and an impressive 7:0 goal ratio. The outstanding player so far is 29-year-old former Dutch team player Vincent Janssen, who has already scored four goals in the season.
The dress rehearsal for the first leg did not end satisfactorily despite Janssen’s goal. Away to OH Leuven, Antwerp were held to a meager 1-1 draw, leaving them without a win in their second away game of the season. All the more important is a positive result on Tuesday night at home. Value is definitely to be found on Antwerp vs AEK Athens at odds of up to 2.20 for the home win prediction.
Predicted lineup of Antwerp:
Butez – Avila, Alderweireld, van den Bosch – Vermeeren, Keita – Balikwisha, Ekkelenkamp, Kerk – Janssen
AEK Athens – Statistics & current form
The title decider in Belgium was not for the faint of heart, but AEK Athens also secured their ticket to the playoffs in extremely dramatic fashion. Due to riots (including a death), the first leg had to be postponed and thus UEFA was a bit pressed for time. Without further ado, Saturday was chosen as the date for the second leg to avoid any further postponements.
90+10 makes the Greeks cheer
AEK Athens won the first leg at Maksimir Stadium 2-1 despite trailing 1-0 at the break, with head coach Matias Almeyda’s side showing staying power to score the winning goal in the 90th minute. In the home game, AEK trailed 2-0 at one point and would have had to settle for the Europa League. Joker Sergio Araujo scored the equalizer in the 92nd minute to 1:2, which would have resulted in overtime, before it became quite dramatic.
AEK was awarded a penalty kick in the tenth minute of stoppage time, which Croatian goalkeeper Dominik Livakovic saved, but Domagaj Vida (a Croatian, of all people) scored again in the 100th minute and AEK secured their ticket to the playoffs.
Two games with a total of seven goals are a rarity for AEK Athens. In general, Greek soccer is dominated by defense, and sub-par games are relatively common. Internationally, however, the level of competition is much higher and the AEK defense is not always solid under pressure. However, the own offense always radiates danger and therefore the chances are good that the prediction for Antwerp vs. Yes” will be successful.
Predicted lineup of AEK Athens:
Stankovic – Hajsafi, Moukoudi, Vida, Rota – Szymanski, Jönsson – Pineda, Zuber, Amrabat – Garcia
Antwerp – AEK Athens Direct comparison / H2H balance
The two teams have yet to play a competitive match against each other, but for the first time the teams will not face each other on Tuesday night at Royal Antwerp’s De Bosuil Stadium. In the course of preparation for the current season, there was a friendly match at the beginning of July, which the Greek champions won clearly with 3:0. However, the result from a friendly match should not be overrated.
Antwerp – AEK Athens Tip
With a lot of self-confidence and a positive feeling, the Greek champion will serve in Belgium. The prevented extra time is certainly an advantage due to the very short regeneration before the important duel. Nevertheless, we share the bookmakers’ assessment that the prediction on the home side is the most likely outcome in Antwerp vs. AEK Athens
We ignore the friendly match in July mentioned above, this has no relevance for the duel on Tuesday night. The van Bommel eleven is extremely strong at home and will pose problems for the AEK defense with their offensive style of play. Betting odds around a maximum of 2.00 would probably have been more realistic here, at the 2.20 we see value. Therefore, we recommend a bet of five units on Antwerp vs. AEK Athens with the bet on the home win.
