- AEK form: AEK Athens have been strong in their last 5 matches, going 3-1-1 and won 3-0 in their last home game.
- Iraklis form: Iraklis 1908 FC are even stronger in form, going 7-2-1 across their last 10 matches in all competitions.
- AEK home record: AEK Athens have a strong home record in all competitions (W4, D1, L1) from 6 matches, scoring 2.17 goals per game and conceding just 0.83.
AEK Athens can dominate the ball
Tactical setup
AEK Athens are 1.22 favorites for Saturday's matchup against Iraklis 1908 FC at Allwyn Arena, but the draw at 6.3 isn't bad either for this game. Marko Nikolic has his AEK Athens side set up with an adaptable possession game that can overload the middle.
Form and key player
The hosts have an extra attacking edge with Aboubakary Koita on the field as the Malian has 2 of AEK's 6 goals in their last 5 games. That run has seen AEK go 3-1-1 with a home win, where they've notched a 3-0 victory over K. Sint-Truidense after a 2-3 win away at FC Zwolle.
Greece's most well-known club have a 6-3-1 record in their last 10 overall and they should be able to gain the advantage here, but they'll probably have to work for it.
Iraklis will give a good account
Iraklis 1908 have been the hottest team of the two across their last 10 with 7-2-1 record, but they've looked a little more erratic across their last 5 (W2, D2, L1).
That should be an interesting tactical contrast for what we think will be a cagey game, with AEK looking to dominate the middle third and Iraklis hoping to stretch the field and hit AEK on the break.
- Walter Mazzarri has his men set up in a compact, structure-first shape with wing-backs and they are more of a vertical, counterattacking team.
- The visitors have a potent counter weapon in Milos Deletic, who has 2 goals in Iraklis' last 5.
Going against the flow
We're going to go against the grain a little bit and back AEK to win here as the straight win price is just too short and there is no value in the draw or Iraklis at the current prices. The under 2.5 goals at 2.45 suits a game where AEK control the ball and Iraklis keep it cagey, and the hosts should be edging it.
