Leicester City Vs AEK Athens
Leicester City Vs AEK Athens Thursday 10th December 2020 – 20:00 (kick-off)
UEFA Europa League Group G
Pick: Leicester to WIN
Odds: 5/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
(All betting odds correct at time of writing: 7th December 2020)
Preview: Already assured of a place in the next round but with group supremacy still a bone of contention, Leicester City can make sure of top spot in Group B with three points in their final fixture at the King Power Stadium – that against bottom side AEK Athens.
UEFA Europa League Betting at Bet365
Table of Contents
Leicester Preview – Further squad rotation in offing?
The Foxes had already qualified in advance of last week’s 1-0 loss away to Zorya Luhansk, which might explain why Brendan Rodgers left a number of his big hitters either on the bench or at home. Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichal, centre-back Jonny Evans, midfielder Youri Tielemans and star striker Jamie Vardy were all left in England possibly with a view to keeping them fresh ahead of a hectic festive schedule.
Essentially Leicester (W3 D1 L1) were missing the spine of their side last time out in Ukraine, and it showed, as they turned in by far and away their worst display so far in Group G – though still did enough to warrant a draw (xG: ZOR 1.16 – 1.28 LEI). Prior to that they had won three and drawn one, had scored 12 times at a rate of three a game, and were averaging an impressive 2.63 xG per game.
With no travelling involved on this occasion, we can expect a stronger initial XI from Rodgers, who will be only too aware that the not so small matter of topping the group, and with it avoiding a potentially tricky Round of 32 draw, will be their reward should Leicester better Braga’s result. In other words, the English side will guarantee top spot in their maiden Europa League campaign with victory over AEK Athens.
AEK Athens Preview – Greeks to round off miserable campaign on a high?
Having dispatched strong opposition during the qualifying phase in the shape of Wolfsburg, ousting a team that finished seventh in the German Bundesliga last term by winning a one-legged tie 2-1 in Germany, more was expected from AEK Athens (W1 L4) as the Greeks embarked on their fifth Europa League group stage participation. Particularly after going unbeaten to finish second in their most recent campaign, in 2017/18.
Aside from a 4-1 win on the road at Zorya Luhansk though, who returned the favour by winning 3-0 in Greece, there really hasn’t been a great deal to shout about. In fact only four of the 48 teams competing had conceded more goals through Matchdays 1 – 5 than Massimo Carrera’s side, who were a distant third in the Greek Super League in 2019/20 and have so far looked a class below their rivals in Group G.
AEK have slumped to four defeats in five group outings, the heaviest coming in Portugal against second-placed Braga who cruised to a 3-0 success. They did, however, produce a better fist of it at home to Leicester when keeping the Premier League side to a one-goal margin of victory. Yet last week’s crushing 4-2 loss at home to the Portuguese made it one win in twelve Europa League games proper (W1 D7 L4).
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Leicester City Vs AEK Athens Betting Advice
Brendan Rodgers had overseen wins in each of his side’s first three games of this group, scoring nine for the loss of just one goal, but a combination of complacency and squad rotation has contributed to Leicester picking up one of the last six points available to them. Fortunately it hasn’t unduly affected them, having already cemented their place in the knockout rounds, but top spot remains up for grabs.
Leicester City Vs AEK Athens – Key Facts:
- Prior to losing 1-0 on the road against Ukrainian outfit Lorya Luhansk last time, Leicester had scored two or more in all four games in Group G, which they sit atop of (W3 D1 L1).
- All five of AEK Athen’s games in Group G have featured at least three goals, conceding on average 2.6 goals per game (W1 L4).
- Leicester faced Greek opposition for the first time on 29 October 2020, when beating AEK Athens 2-1 in Greece on Matchday 2.
A win for Leicester over an AEK Athens side bottom of the group and boasting four defeats in five will guarantee they end Group G on top, ahead of Braga. It is unlikely Leicester will be at full strength. Nonetheless, we should see a stronger line-up than last time, meaning the price about a third comfortable home win, to go with their 3-0 and 4-0 thrashings of Zorya Luhansk and Braga respectively, holds a great deal of appeal.
Best Betting Odds – Leicester City Vs AEK Athens
Leicester City – 4/11 (Betfair)
Draw – 9/2 (BetFred)
AEK Athens – 8/1 (Bet365)
