- Team form: AEK have been a steady, if not spectacular side lately, with two wins, two draws and a defeat in their last five.
- Opposition form: Beitar are a similar, if slightly better side than AEK on current form with five wins, four draws and just one defeat in their last ten.
Cagey clash in Cyprus
Tactical setup
Javi Rozada has moulded AEK into a compact, structure-first unit. They are a structure-first side that sit deep and can be difficult to break down, although they're capable of causing damage when teams leave gaps in transition or when the hosts win the ball from set pieces.
Form and key player
AEK's 2-2 draw with Pafos FC, 4-3 win at Aris Limmasol and 1-0 friendly defeat to Ajax have proven that they are capable of grinding out results when they need to, as well as going end-to-end with the best. Riad Bajic is a livewire who has scored four of AEK's eight goals in their last five matches, but they will need him to show up again on Thursday if they are to put away Beitar Jerusalem.
Beitar looking to break through the shell
Almog Cohen has brought an energetic, front-foot edge to Beitar Jerusalem's style of play this season. They've played with much more intensity, pressing higher up the field and progressing the ball more quickly than in previous seasons. This new era has seen them win, draw and lose, but it's hard to deny that the side is improving.
They are a tough side to beat but have been somewhat blunt in the final third recently, with a 1-3-1 record in their last five.
- Beitar's last three games have seen them beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 2-1 away from home, draw 0-0 with Hapoel Petah Tikva and draw 1-1 with Hapoel Tel-Aviv at home.
Both teams can have a say
The bookmakers have missed this one. The Cypriots are in decent form and will probably just edge this, but with Beitar Jerusalem being a similar, albeit better, side and the styles of play matching up in a classic press-vs-block chess match, this game could easily go either way or even end 0-0.
Beitar will try to stretch AEK out wide and play a quick game if they can, but if AEK can stay narrow and nick a few counter attacks, they could spoil the party.
- AEK are the narrow favorites for this match at 1.88, with Beitar Jerusalem priced at 4.07 and the draw at 3.7.
- We're backing under 2.5 goals at 1.91 to be a sure thing, while both teams to score – yes at 1.72 could be a decent bet.
