Levski Sofia and AEK Athens FC meet in the play-offs of the UEFA Champions League 2026. The match kicks off on Tuesday 18 August at 20:00 (GMT) at the home ground of Levski Sofia in Sofia, Bulgaria. Both teams aim for a positive result to help them advance in the competition.
The hosts are on an impressive unbeaten run and will be full of confidence heading into this European clash. However, AEK Athens FC have also started their season strongly and will provide a stern test, with a spot in the group stage on the line.
Match Overview - Levski Sofia vs. AEK Athens FC
- Levski Sofia enters this UEFA Champions League play-off with high confidence, maintaining an impressive unbeaten streak. They aim to leverage their home advantage after a strong qualifying run.
- AEK Athens FC prepared for their European campaign with friendlies, displaying decent form. However, this match is a significant step up in intensity as they pursue a group stage spot.
- This marks the first-ever meeting between these two teams, adding intrigue to the encounter. With a UEFA Champions League group stage spot at stake, both sides have everything to play for.
Head-to-Head Record
- This will be the first-ever competitive match between Levski Sofia and AEK Athens FC.
- Levski Sofia have been in formidable form, winning 14 of their last 21 matches across all competitions.
- AEK Athens FC have also been solid, securing victories in 12 of their previous 21 encounters.
- The Bulgarian side are unbeaten in the UEFA Champions League this season, with four wins and two draws.
- Levski have a perfect home record in the competition, winning all three games without conceding a single goal.
- Attacker Reinaldo is Levski’s top scorer in the tournament, having found the back of the net 3 times.
Levski Sofia's Form and Momentum
Levski Sofia is in formidable form, enjoying an impressive unbeaten streak across all competitions, including the A PFG and UEFA Champions League qualifiers. This strong momentum sets the stage for their crucial play-off fixture.
In the UEFA Champions League 2026, Levski Sofia is undefeated in six matches, with four wins and two draws. Their home form is impeccable, securing three wins with six goals scored and none conceded.
With a fully available squad and no injuries, Levski Sofia presents a tough challenge. Attacker Reinaldo, with three goals, highlights their offensive threat and solid defence.
AEK Athens FC's Form and Momentum
AEK Athens FC arrives in strong form, with only three losses in their last 21 matches. Their pre-season included friendlies and a Super Cup final, ensuring they are match-fit for this crucial European clash.
The Greek side showed attacking prowess with high-scoring friendly wins. They enter this fixture after a 2-2 draw with OFI in the Super Cup, their first competitive match of the new season.
A significant advantage for the visitors is having a fully available squad with no injuries. This clean bill of health means they can be at full strength, posing a serious threat away from home.
Levski Sofia vs. AEK Athens FC Prediction: Hosts to Prevail
Levski Sofia enters this contest with outstanding home form, having won all their UEFA Champions League qualifiers without conceding a goal. Their impressive unbeaten streak suggests a "Levski Sofia or Draw" outcome is a strong possibility.
AEK Athens FC has demonstrated solid goalscoring form recently, but this away fixture is a major step up in difficulty. We anticipate a cautious start from both sides, making "Under 1.5 Goals" in the first half an appealing option.
Given Levski’s defensive resilience at home and their current momentum, they look poised to take control of this first leg. Our main prediction is for Levski Sofia to win in the "Draw No Bet" market.
  | ||
| Best Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Double Chance | Levski Sofia or Draw | |
| Over/Under | Under 1.5 goals in the first half | |
The odds mentioned were collected during the writing of this prediction and may change. Always check with the bookmaker for the latest information.
Where to Watch Levski Sofia vs. AEK Athens FC
For those wondering where to watch Levski Sofia vs. AEK Athens FC, there is no broadcast information available for this match.
- TV: TNT Sports
- Streaming: discovery+, Amazon Prime Video with TNT Sports add-on
Levski Sofia vs. AEK Athens FC Predicted Lineups
Heading into this pivotal UEFA Champions League 2026 play-off, the starting teams are a major point of interest for bettors. The probable Levski Sofia lineup suggests a strategic approach aimed at controlling the game’s tempo from the start. Meanwhile, the AEK Athens FC lineup will likely focus on finding a balance between defensive solidity and creating attacking opportunities on the road. Both managers have plenty of options to consider, which could lead to some interesting tactical adjustments for this crucial encounter.
Levski Sofia
Svetoslav Velislavov Vutsov; Aldair, Kristian Dimitrov, Nikola Serafimov, Álex Centelles; A. Okoflex, El Mehdi Moubarik, Francisco Everton Mota de Castro; Gašper Trdin, Sérgio Miguel Lobo Araújo, Reinaldo.
AEK Athens FC
Alberto Brignoli; Lazaros Rota, Domagoj Vida, Harold Moukoudi, Niclas Eliasson; Orbelín Pineda, Petros Mantalos, Jens Jønsson; Erik Lamela, Anthony Martial, Zini
Match Details
Here are the match details:
- Match: Levski Sofia vs. AEK Athens FC
- Competition: UEFA Champions League 2026
- Date: 18/08/2026
- Kick-off: 20:00 (GMT)
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