AEK Athens vs Universitatea Craiova Prediction: AEK can secure cagey victory

AEK Athens head into Thursday's Conference League visit from Universitatea Craiova aware that a victory will guarantee they avoid the lottery of the knockout play-offs.

While AEK are fourth in the league phase, Craiova are 23rd, a point inside the play-off places after last week's 2-1 home defeat to Sparta Prague. Hosts Enosi are unbeaten in 11 in all competitions and are backed to grab another victory on Thursday.

Team News

AEK are without forward Zini, who is away with Angola at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Defender Moses Odubajo and midfielder Jens Jonsson are among several players who weren't registered for this competition.

Cuban winger Luis Paradela is also not in the Craiova squad, while fellow wideman Mihnea Radulescu is absent with a knee injury.

Football Odds

Today's Football Fixtures

AEK Athens vs Universitatea Craiova Odds

Enosi are the 4/9 favourites to win on Thursday, with the draw 16/5 and Craiova 7/1.

The pair's only previous meeting in Athens finished 1-1 at the Olympic Stadium in 2009. A repeat of the scoreline from that Europa League tie is 15/2.

AEK Athens and under 3.5 goals @ 1/1

Marko Nikolic's side won 5-0 at Panetolikos on Sunday to extend their unbeaten run to 11 in all competitions but they have not always been so free-flowing.

Admittedly, AEK beat Atromitos 4-1 in their last home game but 10 of their previous 11 at the Agia Sophie Stadium had featured three or fewer goals.

The same is true of four of Craiova's last five away games, and they are unbeaten in seven on the road.

There's more jeopardy for Filipe Coelho's visitors as they aim to stay in the Conference League into 2026.

While they lost 2-0 at Rakow Częstochowa in October, the Alb-albasatrii won 1-0 at Rapid Vienna in November.

This has the ingredients of a tight, competitive match and while AEK beat an out-of-form Aberdeen side 6-0 in October, their other home games in this competition finished 1-0, 1-1 (3-1 AET), 2-0 and 1-1.

Nikolic's team are good enough to get the win on Thursday, but it may not be an entertaining affair.

Aboubakary Koita anytime scorer @ 11/5

AEK winger Aboubakary Loita's last three goals have been scored in the Conference League, including last week's winner in the 2-1 success at Samsunspor.

The 27-year-old also netted against Anderlecht in August and is expected to start on Thursday after only playing the final 27 minutes at the weekend.

AEK Athens vs Univeritatea Craiova FAQ

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