Brighton vs AEK Athens predictions: Expect goals at the Amex
- No team has scored more goals in the Premier League than Brighton this season (15)
- AEK Athens have failed to keep a clean sheet this season in seven matches
- Recommended bet: Over 3.5 total goals
Brighton & Hove Albion step out on an exciting new journey in the Europa League group stages on Thursday, as they welcome AEK Athens to the Amex Stadium.
The Seagulls have enjoyed a strong start to their domestic campaign and will be full of confidence as they welcome Greek giants AEK Athens to the South Coast of England.
AEK have endured a stuttering start to their domestic campaign in Greece and next face a tough task against Roberto de Zerbi’s free-scoring Brighton.
Team news
Julio Enciso will miss Thursday’s encounter due to injury, while there are also doubts on whether Pervis Estupinan and Solly March will be fit to return for the hosts.
Brighton should be able to call on star striker Evan Ferguson from the start after the Northern Ireland international came off the bench to feature in the 3-1 win for the Seagulls at Manchester United last time out.
On loan from Barcelona, Ansu Fati is pushing for his first Brighton start after coming off the bench at Old Trafford at the weekend.
As for the visitors, AEK have a host of injury concerns in this early stage of the season with Mijat Gacinovic, Paolo Fernandes and Rodolfo Pizarro all set to miss Thursday’s game.
Defender Domagoj Vida was forced off in the 1-1 draw with Olympiacos last time out and is a doubt for the trip to the Amex.
The stats
With four wins from their first five games of the Premier League season, Brighton have made an impressive start to their domestic campaign.
Scoring 15 goals in five outings, no team has found the back of the net more than the Seagulls, with even reigning champions and current frontrunners Manchester City scoring less (14).
With two draws and one win, AEK are unbeaten in Super League 1, but have hardly hit the ground running with their title challenge in the Greek top-flight.
In all competitions, AEK have played seven games already this season and are yet to keep a clean sheet.
Prediction
Brighton are the side with the winning momentum and the confidence in this early stage of the season and they should have no fear on this opening night in European competition.
Over 3.5 goals have been scored in all five of Brighton’s games this season, while AEK’s defensive shortcomings have been clear due to a lack of clean sheets.
With that in mind, expect there to be plenty of goals in what should be another entertaining encounter at the Amex Stadium this week.
Considering Brighton’s high-scoring games so far this term over 3.5 goals on the night looks to be the way to go here.
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