Levski Sofia are within sight of being the first Bulgarian side to reach the UEFA Champions League main draw since the 2016-17 season as they prepare for the visit of AEK Athens on Tuesday.
Former Villarreal boss Julio Velazquez is in charge of Levski and led them to their first domestic title since 2009 last season. Now the Spaniard has a chance to end the 20-year wait for a return to Europe's premier club competition.
While Levski have already played six qualifiers and five domestic league games, the Greek champions returned to competitive action just a week ago in their Super Cup and match sharpness could be a concern for them at the Vasil Levski National Stadium.
Levski Sofia v AEK Athens Tips Summary
Best Bet - Levski Sofia to win @ 7/4
Alternative Bet - Serginho to score anytime @ 6/1
Bet Builder - Levski Sofia or Draw - Double Chance, Reinaldo 2+ shots on target & Luka Jovic 1+ shots on target @ 10/1
Levski Sofia v AEK Athens Prediction
Best Bet: Levski Sofia to win @ 7/4
Hosts Levski can draw confidence from having won three-from-three in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers so far. Velazquez's side have done so while scoring six times and conceding none.
They now welcome an AEK side with just one competitive game under their belts, the Greek Super Cup, where they lost on penalties against OFI Crete after a 2-2 draw.
That lack of match sharpness could be telling against a home side well and truly in the groove and with a perfect six home wins from six since they resumed in July, scoring 13 times and conceding only once.
Alternative Bet: Serginho to score anytime @ 6/1
Levski completed a deal this summer to bring Santa Clara midfielder Serginho to the club and the 26-year-old has made an impressive start for his new employers.
He's got three goals and three assists in 10 outings for the Bulgarian champions, including finding the net in the qualifiers against Kairat Almaty.
He impressed as the main creative force in that contest and eventually broke the deadlock in stoppage time at the end of the game after his side had enjoyed 71 per-cent possession and fired 13 shots at goal.
He could be key to unlocking the AEK defence.
Levski Sofia v AEK Athens Bet Builder Tip
Levski Sofia or Draw - Double Chance
Reinaldo 2+ shots on target
Luka Jovic 1+ shots on target
Pays 10/1
Levski have impressed so far this season and are unbeaten in ten games both domestically and in their UEFA Champions League qualifying attempts.
With AEK having played just one competitive game, there is sure to be some lingering rust for Marko Nikolic's side and the hosts are taken to at least avoid defeat for this bet builder.
Brazilian forward Reinaldo has scored in successive games against Lokomotiv Plovdiv and Kairat, taking his goal tally to five already this season since he joined from Chaves. He can land a couple of shots on target.
The visiting side will be hoping Luka Jovic is a threat for them. The Serbian forward scored 21 goals in all competitions last season and broke the deadlock in the Greek Super Cup last week. He, too, can register a shot on target.
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Key Match Stats
Levski Sofia were defeated in the final round of UEFA Conference League qualifying in 2023 and 2025
The Bulgarian champions have defeated Boraj Banja Luka, Universitatea Craiova and Kairat Almaty to reach this stage
Levski have won their three home qualifiers by scoring six goals and conceding none
AEK Athens' first game of the new season saw them lose the Greek Super Cup against OFI Crete on penalties after a 2-2 draw
Serginho has three goals and three assists in 10 games this season for Levski
Luka Jovic scored 21 goals for AEK last season and was on target in the Super Cup last week
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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.
