AEK lost 3-1 in Slovenia to Celje in their Conference League opener
The Dons were pipped 3-2 at home by Shakhtar
Recommended bet: Aberdeen +1.25 Asian Handicap
The pressure is on in the Greek capital as AEK Athens and Aberdeen go in search of their first wins after missing out on points on Matchday One.
Aberdeen head for the AEK Arena cursing an unfortunate 3-2 home loss to classy Shakhtar Donetsk in their first game, the same night as the Greek outfit were being well beaten 3-1 by Celje in Slovenia.
Team news
AEK boss Marko Nikolic has to decide whether to stick with former AC Milan frontman Luka Jovic up front even though the Serbian international has only two goals this term. Frantzdy Pierrot would appear to be the only other option with Angola frontman Zine recently injured.
For Aberdeeen, there is a growing clamour for 21-year-old forward Marko Lazetic to start in Athens after impressing off the bench in recent weeks.
Wing-back Alexander Jensen is available to Jimmy Thelin after missing the 3-2 home loss to Shakhtar through suspension.
The latest AEK Athens vs Aberdeen odds are available on LiveScore Bet
The stats
AEK were unbeaten in six Conference League qualifiers before losing their opening group-phase game, 3-1 at Celje.
Aberdeen have won just 15 corners in five league and European away games this season, averaging three corners per game.
Having lost none of their first 13 matches this season, the Greeks have now lost two in three.
The Dons lost eight of their first 11 games but have now won two in a row.
Prediction
AEK's all-star cast is stuttering just now and that looks to offer Aberdeen a real opportunity to get on the board in this UEFA Conference League campaign.
The Greek giants had emerged through three tricky qualifiers against Hapoel Beer-Sheva, Aris Limassol and Anderlecht to make the group stage, only to fluff their lines badly at Celje where they crashed to a disappointing loss.
Since that defeat three weeks ago they have also been beaten 2-0 at home by PAOK to cede top spot in the Greek Super League.
This is a squad packed with international stars — players like Croatian defensive mainstay Domagoj Vida, classy Romanian ace Razvan Marin and Serb centre-forward Luka Jovic.
And they will always fancy their chances in front of their own fans, despite the hiccup against PAOK.
But Aberdeen have flown into Greece feeling full of optimism after a brave 3-2 home loss to Shakhtar in their first game, a game most pundits had down as a cakewalk for the Ukraine powers.
Buoyed by that resilient effort, Thelin's men have finally broken their duck in the Premiership, snapping a six-game winless — and goalless — run with back-to-back wins at home to Dundee (4-0) and away at St Mirren (1-0).
Expect a risk-free approach from the Dons who can offer sufficient resistance to merit support on LiveScoreBet's Asian Handicap market covering a +1.25 spread.
Back Aberdeen +1.25 Asian Handicap at 26/25 with LiveScoreBet
The latest AEK Athens vs Aberdeen odds are available on LiveScore Bet
