Brighton & Hove Albion commence their 2023-24 UEFA Europa League campaign against AEK Athens at AMEX Stadium in Group B.
Victory could take Brighton or AEK Athens top if they better the result of Ajax’s meeting against Marseille elsewhere.
Team News
Solly March could return for Brighton after he missed their Premier League win at Manchester United with a muscle injury.
Julio Enciso and Jakub Moder both remain absent with knee injuries.
AEK Athens have no fresh injury concerns to report with a full squad available for selection.
When is Kick-Off?
Brighton host AEK Athens at AMEX Stadium in a 8pm BST kick-off on 21 September, live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Brighton are playing AEK Athens for the very first time in their history.
- AEK Athens are visiting Brighton for the very first time but have won just one of six visits to English-based clubs in all UEFA competitions (W1, L5).
- Brighton are the 40th different English club to have qualified for any UEFA competition.
- AEK Athens have won just two of their last six away matches in all UEFA competitions (W2, L4).
Prediction
Having comfortably dispatched Man Utd in a clinical performance despite being outplayed in terms of shots, Brighton certainly can enter their first-ever European game full of confidence as long as they play their usual high-energy attacking game and absorb the occasion well.
AEK Athens meanwhile won’t be easy opposition have just missed out on a spot in the Champions League Group Stage following a tough game against Antwerp, so they can’t be underestimated despite enduring an inconsistent start to the season.
Brighton’s home crowd though should bring a carnival atmosphere to this monumental occasion which could well benefit the players, because I have little doubt that they can put themselves in an early good position ahead of tricky games against Marseille and Ajax to come.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 AEK Athens
Result: Brighton 2-3 AEK Athens
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