AEK Athens couldn't break down a resolute Levski Sofia defence in their UEFA Champions League play-off first leg and so the teams are inseparable going into this decisive clash in Greece.
The first leg was an attritional battle, with the sides producing just four shots on target between them, and Levski will hope to keep things tight again in Athens.
Another cagey affair looks likely and both teams come into this vital game off the back of comprehensive domestic successes at the weekend.
AEK Athens v Levski Sofia Tips Summary
Best Bet - Levski Sofia to qualify @ 4/1
Alternative Bet - Under 2.5 goals @ 3/4
Bet Builder - Under 3 goals, Under 9 corners & Armstrong Oko-Flex 1+ shots on target @ 11/1
AEK Athens v Levski Sofia Prediction
Best Bet: Levski Sofia to qualify @ 4/1
Home advantage makes AEK strong favourites at 2/5 to win this second leg, but Marko Nikolic's side could be in for another frustrating evening.
Luka Jovic's half-volley that clipped the crossbar was as close as they came to breaking the deadlock in Sofia.
Levski have now gone six games without conceding a goal, including both legs of their previous qualifier against Kairat Almaty as they won 1-0 home and away.
Another low-scoring contest is likely in Greece, with the financial bonus of reaching the league phase now within touching distance for both clubs.
AEK are deserved favourites on their own patch, but that brings with it a degree of pressure and Levski Sofia could make it a difficult night for their hosts.
They look overpriced to pinch this tie as they have proved hard to beat and very stubborn across a 15-game unbeaten streak.
Alternative Bet: Under 2.5 goals @ 3/4
With just those four shots on target in Sofia, the threat of goals was not omnipresent in the first leg and with qualification for the lucrative league phase dangling in the balance, this contest is likely to follow similar patterns.
Four of Levski Sofia's last five games have gone under 2.5 goals, with the Bulgarians closing in on 600 minutes with a concession. Their three most recent UEFA Champions League qualifiers have yielded just two goals.
AEK shaded the best of the chances in the first leg and are likely to dictate the terms again now, but that will allow Levski to sit back and be compact, hoping to grab something on the break.
AEK Athens v Levski Sofia Bet Builder Tip
Under 3 goals
Under 9 corners
Armstrong Oko-Flex 1+ shots on target
Pays @ 11/1
A single goal might be enough to sway this game one way or the other, ensuring the bet builder leans on a lack of goals.
There were just three corners in the first leg. Levski Sofia managed four corners in the away leg of their previous tie with Kairat Almaty.
AEK were 4-0 winners against Iraklis 1908 in the Greek Super League at the weekend in a game that featured seven corners, while Levski's 6-0 win over Spartak Varna featured eight flag-kicks. Less than nine here looks the way to go.
After firing two goals in that win over Spartak Varna, winger Armstrong Oko-Flex was taken off midway through the second period, presumably with this game in mind.
The Dublin-born winger didn't make the grade at Arsenal but is forging his way now with the champions after impressing at Botev Plovdiv in the Bulgarian league.
He has scored five times this season, including two in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers, and can register a shot on target here.
Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.
Key Match Stats
AEK Athens have won four and drawn five of their last nine competitive matches.
Levski Sofia are unbeaten in 15 competitive games and have kept clean sheets in their last six.
Four of Levski Sofia's last five games have gone under 2.5 goals.
The Bulgarian champions have drawn three of their seven UEFA Champions League qualifiers this season.
Armstrong Oko-Flex scored twice for Levski in league action over the weekend, while Luka Jovic did likewise for AEK Athens.
AEK Athens were last in the UEFA Champions League proper in the 2018-19 season, while Levski Sofia haven't qualified since the 2006-07 campaign.
Read more football betting tips and predictions on site.
This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.
