Rijeka VS AEK Athens Match Prediction

  • Logo2017-09-14
  • Logo17:00:00
Rijeka
VS
AEK Athens

Our Prediction Tip

AEK Athens will win this match.

These sides will meet for the very first time in Thursday's group stage opener.  

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Rijeka vs AEK Athens Tips and Odds

Bet365 have the following odds available for this match:

Rijeka are at 13/10 to win, a draw is at 21/10, and an AEK Athens win is at 23/10.

It's a little bit of a surprise to see that Rijeka have been given the favorites tag in this match.  They aren't way out ahead of the field, but they still do have the edge in the eyes of the bookmakers.  It must be due to home field.

The worrying part, though, and the part that makes us like AEK is the fact that Rijeka were just eliminated by Greek opposition in the UCL playoffs.  On top of that, AEK have done very well with Croatian sides in the past.  

The biggest kicker here, though, is that Rijeka are winless in their last four European matches.  That shows they aren't in good form right now in the slightest ahead of this match.  

AEK Athens +1 handicap to tie is at 13/5.

Rijeka vs AEK Athens Prediction

AEK Athens tick all the boxes here and look like they could get the victory in this affair.  

Correct Score Prediction: Rijeka 0-1 AEK Athens 

 

Team News

Matjaz Kek has a worry over center midfielder Mate Males after he left the pitch early two matches back.  However, winger Heber- who had the same fate- has recovered and looks like playing a role here.  

Key Man

Striker Mario Gavranovic is a man of form at the moment for the Croatians.  The 27 year old Swiss man has scored three goals in the Croatian league as well as having scored three times in the Champions League qualifying matches, showing he's very capable of being a danger to AEK here.  

Team Form - WWLWL

Rijeka dropped out of the Champions League after losing to Olympiakos in the playoff round, but they are doing well in the Croatian league in second place at the moment.  They have recent wins over Inter Zapresic (away, 1-3) and Cibalia (7-0, home) to look back on.

Rijeka Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

Rijeka likely XI

  • Goalkeeper:Prskalo

  • Defenders:Vesovic, Puncec, Zuparic, Zuta

  • Midfielders:Bradaric, Misic

  • Attacking Midfielders:Kvrzic, Gorgon, Heber

  • Forwards:Gavranovic

Team News

Manolo Jimenez will be missing goalkeeper Vasilios Barkas, center backs Vasilios Lampropoulous and Dmytro Chygrysnkiy, and forward Georgios Giakoumakis due to injuries.  

Key Man

Croatian striker Marko Livaja could be the man to help be the downfall of a team from his own country here.  The 24 year old, on loan from Las Palmas, has yet to score a goal this season but did have an assist on Sunday to help propel his team in their 4-0 rout.  

Team Form - WDWWD

AEK haven't lost since back at the very start of August when they fell to CSKA Moscow in the UCL third qualifying round.  Since then, they have two draws and three wins, including a 3-0 home victory over Club Brugge in the playoff round and a 4-0 home win over Larissa in the league on Sunday.

AEK Predicted Starting Line-up

Expected Line-up: 4-2-3-1

AEK Athens likely XI

  • Goalkeeper:Anestis

  • Defenders:Bakakis, Cosic, Vranjes, Helder Lopes

  • Defensive Midfielders:Ajdarevic, Johansson

  • Attacking Midfielders:Chistodoupoulous, Manatalos, Klonaridis

  • Forwards:Livaja

Rijeka and AEK Athens will come into this Group D match knowing that they need to get points on the board quickly if they are to have a chance at moving on. AC Milan are almost guaranteed to advance, so it could become a three-way scrap for second place. Points now could make a huge difference after six matches have been played in December. The away side will have it tough here, but we like their chances to take a point from Croatia.
AEK have lost just once to Croatian sides in six matches.