AEK Athens v CSKA Moscow Betting Tips: Uneventful first half expected in Athens

This Champions League match is the first European fixture of the season for both AEK Athens and CSKA Moscow.

Not only is this AEK’s first European match of this season, but it is also their first competitive outing this campaign. Although they have done very well in their pre-season matches, with no defeats in their five friendlies, there is nothing like competitive football and so it will be interesting to see how AEK adjust.

The Yellow-Blacks actually finished fourth in the regular Greek Superleague season last term but then blitzed the Greek UEFA playoffs to finish top of the group by four points. AEK were certainly more focused on the attacking side of their game last season, demonstrated by the fact they were the second-highest scorers in the league with 54 goals in 30 games. However, this style cost them at the back and their 23 Goals Against statistic was the joint-worst in the top five.

Home form has been fantastic for Manolo Jimenez’s side in the last couple of seasons with just two league defeats since 21st December 2015. However, they have not had a good European home record in recent years with no wins in their last four, losing three of them – including to Russian side Lokomotiv Moscow. Furthermore, AEK have not beaten a Russian side on home soil in competitive football since the breakup of the Soviet Union.

CSKA have had an odd start to their season. They looked good in their opener against Anzhi Makhachkala, running out 3-1 winners, but then played atrociously in the Moscow derby against Lokomotiv Moscow in their last match – this time ending up on the wrong side of a 3-1 scoreline. Serious questions are hanging over the Army Men at the moment and, if they were to reach the group stage of the Champions League, it looks like they could capitulate again – just like they have in the last two seasons.

Koni have historically been known for having a tight backline. However, this season it has been the other way round with Viktor Goncharenko’s men keeping no clean sheets in either of their two matches so far. Having said that, they have somewhat compensated this by scoring four goals in those games.

As mentioned previously, CSKA have had a poor record in the Champions League in the last few seasons. This is particularly the case on their travels with the Army Men losing six out of their last seven away Champions League games.

Although these two teams are towards the upper echelons of their respective leagues, neither of them have a very good European record, which makes this match hard to call. However, I think this will be a tight affair with both sides looking to capitalise on a mistake, rather than take the game to the opposition. With this in mind, 0-0 at Half Time looks a good bet at 13/10.