There is not a favorite in this knockout duel! Read below our full betting prediction!
As every year, there will also be some relatively unknown teams in the UEFA Europa League group stage this season. However, the road to it is by no means easy, as there are still three difficult knockout rounds ahead of the teams that qualify for the qualifier. While some well-known teams are represented in the meantime, there are still many duels going on outside of the big media interest. One of those matches is the clash between AEK Larnaka and Levski Sofia!
AEK Larnaka vs Levski Sofia Football Betting Prediction
The Cypriots were even in the group stage of the qualification last season and were able to shoot the Austrian representative SK Sturm Graz with a total score of 7: 0 in the qualification. Despite these good performances on the international stage, the bookmakers see the Bulgarians in this knockout duel slightly in the advantage. In the to-qualify bets between AEK Larnaka and Levski Sofia, a prediction on the progress of the Cypriots brings a higher yield.
AEK Larnaca – Statistics & Current Form
Qualifying for the UEFA Europa League group stage was the absolute highlight of last season. Otherwise, the season was largely disappointing for the team of head coach Imanol Idiakez. In the streak, the team had ten points behind Apoel Nicosia. Too big a gap that could not be made up despite a strong championship round. But in the end, Larnaka improved from fourth to second place, thus fixing the vice-championship.
Over long distances, the Cypriots impressed by the home strength. With ten home wins, four draws and only two defeats, the vice-champion was the best home team in the league. Above all, the defensive knew how to convince, because Larnaka had to accept in the domestic AEK Arena just seven goals. There are not many goals to be seen anyway and between AEK Larnaka and Levski Sofia a tip to the under 2.5 could be quite promising.
The 2019/20 season started against the Moldovan club Petrocub. Against the no-name club Larnaka could confirm the role of favorites. Two narrow 1-0 victories were by no means a gala performance. However, the team is also in the middle of the season preparation, because the domestic championship will only begin in a few weeks. This difficult balancing act between preparation and emergency as well as the oppressive heat on Cyprus let us dissuade, despite the imposing home record of a tip on the victory of the home side.
Expected lineup of AEK Larnaka:
➱ Tono – Hevel, Mojsov, Gonzalez, Truyois – Tete, Sastre, Cases, Barrera – Giannou, Trickovski
Last matches of AEK Larnaca:
⚽️ 18.07.2019 – Petrocub Vs. AEK Larnaca 0: 1 (Europa League)
⚽️ 11.07.2019 – AEK Larnaka Vs. Petrocub 1: 0 (Europa League)
⚽️ 06.07.2019 – AEK Larnaka Vs. Ethnikos Achnas 1: 1 (Club Friendlies)
⚽️ 01.07.2019 – Gornik Zabrze vs. AEK Larnaka 1: 2 (Club Friendlies)
⚽️ 27.06.2019 – Lech Posen vs. AEK Larnaka 1: 3 (Club Friendlies)
Levski Sofia – Statistics & Current Form
In the past season, the Bulgarians were embarrassed when they had beaten in the first round of Europa League qualifying the Liechtenstein club FC Vaduz due to the away goals rule. In view of this, there is progress in the current season. Against Ruzomberok from Slovakia, the team of head coach Peter Houbtchev could celebrate two 2-0 victories and thus confidently fix the progress. Head coach Houbtchev is well known to one or two football experts in Germany. The 55-year-old was a professional among others at HSV and Eintracht Frankfurt and then coached the second team of Frankfurt and the VFL Wolfsburg. Since this season he is now working for the most successful Bulgarian club. Twenty-six championship titles and 26 cup victories have been recorded – but the last title win is already a decade back. Last time Levski Sofia became champion in the 2008/09 season. In the recent past, the Elf from the capital was clearly inferior to the industry leader Rasgrad Ludogorets.
An advantage over the Cypriots is certainly the fact that in Bulgaria the domestic championship has started now. Levski Sofia also has two competitive games in addition to the two successes in the Europa League qualification. With a win and a draw, the start of the season was passable, but by no means excellent. Since this season, the Bulgarians with Deni Alar also have an Austrian legionnaire in their own ranks. The striker is certainly the most famous player. For the away game in Larnaca Levski Sofia has to renounce the Icelandic international Holmar Örn Eyjolfsson on Thursday. The defender’s absence will certainly hurt, but he was out of action in the final of the past Saiosn due to an outside ligament tear in the knee.
Expected formation of Levski Sofia:
➱ Mijatovic – Goranov, Kargas, Rice, Milianov – Thiam, Raynov – Paulinho, Mariani, Ivanov – Kostov
Last matches of Levski Sofia:
⚽️ 21.07.2019 – Etar vs. Levski Sofia 0: 0 (1st league)
⚽️ 18.07.2019 – Levski Sofia vs. Ruzomberok 2: 0 (Europa League)
⚽️ 15.07.2019 – Dunav 2010 Vs. Levski Sofia 1: 4 (1st league)
⚽️ 11.07.2019 – Ruzomberok Vs. Levski Sofia 0: 2 (Europa League)
⚽️ 02.07.2019 – Young Boys vs. Levski Sofia 1: 1 (club friendlies)
AEK Larnaka vs Levski Sofia Direct Comparison & Stats Highlights
The two teams have never played against each other before, but both AEK Larnaka and Levski Sofia have played once against a team from the country of their respective rivals. AEK Larnaca drew twice against Razgrad Ludogorets in the group stage last season. The experience of Levski Sofia with Cypriot teams has been around for a while – in 1999/2000 the Bulgarians prevailed against APOEL Nicosia with a total score of 2: 0.
AEK Larnaka vs Levski Sofia Our Best Betting Prediction Explained
In the second qualifying round of the UEFA Europa League, there are still many duels in which the term “David against Goliath” is true. However, there will also be knockout duels in which a prediction is quite difficult. An open affair also seems to be the duel between AEK Larnaka and Levski Sofia at first sight.
Key Facts – AEK Larnaka vs Levski Sofia tips
♦️ Larnaka was the best home team in the domestic league last year!
♦️ For the first time the two teams face each other!
♦️ There were three wins and a draw across all competitions – Houbtchev can be satisfied with the start of the season!
Due to the impressive home record of the Cypriots AEK Larnaka against Levski Sofia is according to odds on Thursday relatively clear favorite, but the Cypriots in the knockout duel are minimal outsiders for the bookmakers. However, we do not recognize any value in the tip of AEK Larnaka’s home win, as Levski Sofia now has the advantage of being in rhythm. In addition, we expect a close game at tropical temperatures – a summer kick would not be surprising. It is quite lucrative in this duel between AEK Larnaka and Levski Sofia to tip the draw on the draw, which is played with a moderate use of four units.
Betting Prediction: X
Odds: 3.50
