Europa League. AEK Athens vs Brighton Prediction and Odds
- Pick: Both Teams to Score
- Odds: -178 (Tonybet)
Following a shaky beginning in the Europa League, Brighton has seen a notable upturn in form, currently positioned second, trailing Marseille but three points ahead of AEK Athens. Under Roberto De Zerbi’s guidance, they have had a six-match unbeaten streak. Their recent performance against Nottingham Forest was proof their ‘magic football’ is still very much alive. Even with 10 men, they managed to win this pivotal game, placing them in the 8th spot with 22 points.
After their victory over Giannina in the Greek Super League, AEK Athens hold the third spot in the league table, accumulating 27 points in 12 games. Although the Greek side has had an unbeaten run of seven games in domestic play, the same can’t be said about the Europa League. They only have 4 points with slim chances of advancing to the next round.
Playing in Greece poses a unique challenge. The passionate and raucous support of the home fans creates a tumultuous atmosphere. Brighton won’t have an easy task in this hostile environment. Given the outcome of their first encounter, where AEK clinched a 3-2 victory, and considering the recent form of both teams, it’s highly probable that each side will find the back of the net in this matchup.
Europa League. Atalanta vs Sporting Betting Tips
- Pick: Over 2.5 Goals
- Odds: 144 (Tonybet)
The heartbreaking loss against Napoli (1:2) on Saturday was a stark reminder of Atalanta’s deficiency in quality strikers. While Ademola Lookman and Charles De Ketelaere are creative players, they are not typical centre-forwards. With 21 goals in 13 matches, Atalanta have difficulty finding the net against stronger opponents.
Sporting’s situation contrasts sharply, as they co-lead Liga Portugal with Benfica, boasting 28 points. In the last 9 outings across all competitions, they only lost once against Benfica (2:1), alongside a draw and seven wins. Securing a draw in this match would significantly boost their chances of advancing to the next round.
The first game between these teams ended with Atalanta winning 1:2. Dominating for most of the match, the Black and Blues managed to hold off Sporting, for whom Viktor Gyokeres’ 79th-minute penalty proved insufficient. Sporting’s last five matches have each seen over three goals, and three of Atalanta’s last six games have also exceeded a total of 2.5 goals. This means that the upcoming encounter is also poised to be a high-scoring affair.
Europa League. Villarreal vs Panathinaikos Betting Tips
- Pick: Villarreal to Win
- Odds: -135 (Tonybet)
Villarreal’s season in La Liga has been underwhelming, with the team currently in 12th place, holding just 15 points. Yet, they displayed a flash of brilliance in their last match, a convincing 3-1 victory over Osasuna, propelled by Jose Morales’ hat-trick. It will be almost impossible for Villarreal to battle for the top spots in the domestic league, so their strategic focus might shift towards making a significant impact in the Europa League.
Panathinaikos are leading the Greek Super League. However, in the Europa League, they are third, trailing Villarreal by 2 points. A win in their upcoming match is crucial, but doing so at Estadio de la Ceramica will be difficult to pull off.
The previous match between these teams ended with Panathinaikos beating the Yellow Submarines. However, replicating such a feat in the upcoming game seems less likely. Villarreal has been strong on their home turf, and they will likely emerge victorious in this outing.
