Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 5/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
Hoping to claim a crucial first-leg advantage on Thursday evening, AEK Larnaca will welcome Legia Warsaw to the Georgios Karapatakis.
AEK Larnaca
Starting with the hosts, extending on their Europa League qualifying adventure last week as they edged past Slovenian outfit Celje thanks to a 3-2 aggregate win, AEK will be hoping for smoother sailing this time around. Getting their European adventure underway with a 1-0 victory against Partizan on July 10th, Imanol Isiakez’s side will know the importance of claiming an essential first-leg advantage here. Despite settling for another silver medal finish among Cyprus’ elite last season, AEK will be excited by their extended success on home soil. Although Larnaca might have registered just a single clean sheet from their first four qualifying appearances this year, they have suffered just a sole defeat at the Georgios Karapatakis since way back on January 3rd.
AEK Larnaca Team News
Bagging a maiden Larnaca strike last week after completing a permanent summer switch from Venezuelan outfit Tachira, Yerson Chacon will feature here. One-time Barcelona youngster Ledes Gustavo will start in the middle of the park.
Now entering his third campaign in Larnaca, veteran defender Valentin Roberge will start at the heart of Isiakez’s defence. Despite making a cameo appearance off the bench last week, ex-Levante defender Miramon will settle for a spot on the bench.
Legia Warsaw
As for the visitors, only winning one of their final four domestic showdowns last season as they eventually limped their way to a fifth-place finish among Poland’s elite, Legia Warsaw are desperately seeking some much-needed stability this time around. Despite extending on their Europa League qualifying adventure last month as they clinched a 4-3 aggregate win against Czech-based outfit Ostrava, Thursday’s guests failed failed to pick up some key momentum over the weekend. Forced to settle for a 0-0 stalemate at home against Arka, Legia could face a tricky test here. However, it should be highlighted, Edward Iordanescu’s side have not suffered a single defeat on their travels since returning from March’s international break.
Legia Warsaw Team News
Completing a permanent switch from Championship outfit Watford this summer, Danish marksman Mileta Rajovic could be handed a full debut on Thursday evening. Likewise, one-time Everton defender Ruben Vinagre could be handed a full recall here.
Despite turning 38 later in the year, veteran defender Arthur Jedrzejczyk will partner Radovan Pankov at the heart of Legia’s defence in midweek. Japanese international Ryoya Morishita will start in the middle of the park.
AEK Larnaca vs Legia Warsaw Key Factors to Consider
- Thursday’s showdown in Larnaca will be the first competitive meeting between AEK and Legia Warsaw.
- AEK have not suffered a single defeat in front of their own supporters since way back on January 3rd.
- Legia Warsaw are unbeaten on their travels since returning from March’s international break.
- AEK Larnaca have recorded just a single clean sheet from any of their four Europa League qualifying appearances this year.
- Continuing on from their summer preparations, AEK have seen four of their previous six outings finish in a stalemate after 90 minutes.
Conclusion
Not suffering a single defeat in front of their own supporters since the start of January, AEK Larnaca will know the importance of claiming an essential first-leg advantage here. However, while Legia might have been forced to settle for an uneventful 0-0 stalemate at home against Arka last weekend, we could be set for a nervy affair on Thursday evening. It should be noted, with Larnaca seeing four of their previous six outings finishing in a stalemate continuing on from their summer preparations, we are backing a similar outcome in midweek.
Verdict: Draw
Best Odds: 5/2
Bookmaker: Dachbet
