AEK Athens vs LASK – Match Preview, Team News & Projected Outcome | 2026-27 UEFA Champions League (League Phase)

Greek champions AEK Athens make their long-awaited return to the UEFA Champions League league phase as they welcome LASK, a side that produced a remarkable comeback in the play-off round to secure their own historic qualification.

Match Schedule: 8 September 2026, kick-off at 19:45 local time.

Broadcast Information:

- United Kingdom – TNT Sports holds the broadcasting rights.

- United States – The match will not be televised.

- Online Streaming (UK) – HBO Max subscribers can access live coverage.

- Online Streaming (US) – Paramount+ will stream the match live for subscribers.

Tactical Preview & Form Assessment

AEK Athens are back in the Champions League league or group phase for the first time since the 2018-19 season, a testament to their resurgence under former CSKA Moscow manager Marko Nikolic. The Athenians secured their 14th Greek Super League title in his first full campaign and carried that momentum into the play-off round, where they delivered a commanding performance by dismantling Levski Sofia 4-0 in the second leg at the OPAP Arena. Luka Jovic and Razvan Marin each found the net, while Barnabas Varga contributed a brace, underscoring the attacking firepower at Nikolic's disposal.

LASK, meanwhile, enter the league phase of the Champions League for the first time in their history, having been crowned Austrian champions for only the second time ever and the first since 1965. Their journey to this stage was nothing short of dramatic, as they overturned a 4-0 aggregate deficit against Celtic with an hour remaining in the second leg, producing an astonishing comeback in Austria to book their place among Europe's elite. That resilience and capacity for explosive attacking play make them a dangerous opponent.

AEK Athens Team News: Full Squad Available

The Greek champions appear to have a fully fit and available squad for this fixture, allowing Nikolic to name an unchanged eleven built around a potent attacking setup in a 4-4-2 formation. The partnership of Varga and Jovic up front, supported by creative midfielders such as Marin and Koita, represents a significant threat.

Predicted Starting XI (4-4-2): Strakosha; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilios; Majer, Marin, Kairinen, Koita; Varga, Jovic

Unavailable: None reported.

Questionable: None reported.

LASK Team News: Harakate Sidelined

LASK have one confirmed injury absentee, with Ramiz Harakate unavailable for the opener. Moses Usor is expected to play a pivotal role in their attacking transitions, while Robert Ljubicic is available to face his parent club AEK, adding an intriguing subplot to the encounter.

Predicted Starting XI (3-5-2): Jungwirth; Mbuyamba, Alemao, Andrade; Jorgensen, Ljubicic, Bogarde, Horvath, Bello; Usor, Adeniran

Unavailable: Harakate (Injury)

Questionable: None reported.

Key Match Prediction & Betting Angle

AEK Athens possess considerable quality in the final third, with Varga and Jovic forming a formidable striking partnership, and they will look to capitalise on home advantage to start their campaign positively. LASK, however, have demonstrated their capability on the counter-attack, as evidenced by their stunning comeback against Celtic, and possess the speed and directness to trouble the Greek defence. Given the attacking strengths on both sides and the likelihood of an open contest as each team seeks to impose themselves in their opening league phase fixture, goals from both ends appear probable.

- Primary Forecast: Both teams to score.

This outcome reflects AEK's potent offensive setup and home dominance, coupled with LASK's proven ability to strike effectively on the break, making it plausible that neither defence will keep a clean sheet at the OPAP Arena.