CLUB BRUGGE v AEK ATHENS
Thursday 17th August 2017 – Kickoff: 1945hrs
Football – Europe – Europa League Betting Tips
The first legs of the Europa League play-off rounds begin tonight in earnest and my next pick features Belgian outfit, Club Brugge, taking on Greek side, AEK Athens, when the teams meet at the Jan Breydelstadion on Thursday night.
Club Brugge enter the play-off stage of the Europa League, courtesy of a second place finish at the end of last season’s domestic Belgian Jupiler League campaign, runners-up to title winners, Anderlecht.
Club Brugge have also made an instant impact upon this new season in the Belgian top flight as they’ve won all three of their league matches so far with wins over Lokeren 4-0 away, 3-1 at home to Eupen and a 2-1 win away at Zulte-Waregem on the weekend. Striker Dennis has scored 4 goals in 3 games to date.
It’s a second bite of the european football cherry for visitors AEK Athens as they qualified for the Champions League third round qualifiers, but fell foul to CSKA Moscow, losing 3-0 on aggregate, which has left them with a tilt at the Europa League.
Not that it’ll get any easier for AEK as they make their way to Brugge for this tough looking first leg against an in-form Club Brugge outfit who have hit the ground running in their new season. AEK have registered just one win from their last eight Europa League ties, which was a 3-1 win away at Sturm Graz back in December 2011.
In addition, they’ve racked up just 3 away wins from their last 15 on the road at this level, and I fancy they’ll struggle again in this opening leg here tonight too.
Pick: Club Brugge to win @ 1.80 Betfair
