A trip to English shores has been historically daunting for Greek opposition, so AEK are unlikely to be relishing this UEFA Champions League (UCL) trip to Manchester City.
Match News and Current Form
Manchester City’s winning Premier League start now stands at seven matches following their 3-2 home win over Ipswich at the weekend, the perfect way to bounce back from last Wednesday’s 4-2 defeat against PSG. That was a second defeat in their last three UCL home league phase games (W1), twice as many reversals as they suffered in their 32 such matches prior, but a response should be expected given the last side from outside Europe’s traditional top-five leagues to win on this ground in this competition was Basel in March 2018 (W12, D3 against such sides since). They’d perhaps be wise not to come into this game feeling too confident though, as the Cityzens are winless in four Tuesday-held UCL home games, conceding 2+ goals each time.
After their request for their Greek Super League game against Atromitos at the weekend to be postponed was accepted, AEK have had time to fully recover from last week’s 3-1 UCL defeat to Shakhtar. That was a real blow for AEK as it brought to an end an 11-match unbeaten competitive run prior (W8, D3), and few will be backing them to return to winning ways here given their 4% win rate in main draw European Cup/UCL away action is the joint-lowest of teams to have played 20+ such games. They’re also winless in their last 19 UCL road trips (D6, L13), a run which hardly inspires belief they can become only the second Greek side to win away at English opposition in the European Cup/UCL proper (D2, L17).
Head-to-Head History
City have never faced AEK before, but they are unbeaten without conceding a goal in four prior meetings (W3, D1) with Greek opposition.
Hot Stats and Streaks
None of City’s last eight home games produced more than three yellow cards.
Four of City’s last five competitive matches produced over 4.5 goals.
AEK have conceded 2+ goals in nine of their last ten UCL away games.
Only one of AEK’s last six UCL matches saw both teams score.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
City’s Phil Foden struck early against Ipswich at the weekend and four of his last five UCL goals also arrived inside the opening 25 minutes. Zini could make a late impact for AEK given four of his last five club strikes came after the 70th minute.
Erling Haaland is expected to be rested and Antoine Semenyo could also miss out. AEK should have a full contingent available.
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Betting Analysis
There’s only likely to be one winner here, and given the frequency at which goals have flown in of late, City to win and over 4.5 goals could squeeze out some extra value.
Author: Chris Wilson