Levski Sofia vs AEK Athens: Champions League Play-off First Leg Preview

Levski SofiaLEV

UEFA Champions League

0–0

Full Time

HT 0–0

Georgi Asparuhov Stadium

Sofia

AEK Athens FCAEK

AI ForecastsGraded

Match of the day · free full analysis

Levski Sofia enter the play-off round unbeaten in six competitive matches, with a perfect home record of three wins and no goals conceded. Their 4-3-3 shape has provided defensive solidity and they tend to start fast, scoring 30% of their goals in the opening 15 minutes. AEK Athens arrive without any competitive match data in the system, making them a significant unknown — though their pedigree in Greek football suggests they will present a stern test. The key question is whether Levski's match sharpness can overcome the likely quality gap against a fresh AEK side.

Match ResultHome Win35%

Levski have won all three home matches without conceding, while AEK Athens arrive without any competitive minutes in the system, making the hosts' sharpness and defensive record a compelling edge.

Two-Outcome ResultHome or Away68%

Not required

Total Goals2 or fewer goals67%

Levski's home matches have averaged 2.0 total goals, with none exceeding two, and neither side has data suggesting a high-scoring contest.

Match Stats

Top Stats

0.90xG0.93

52%Possession48%

15 (3)Shots (on target)12 (1)

0Big Chances Created2

Attacking Play

0.62xG on Target0.04

Possession & Passing

485 · 88%Passes (accuracy)453 · 87%

1Corners2

Duels & Pressing

50Duels Won42

13 (48%)Aerial Duels Won14 (52%)

Defending & Discipline

1Saves3

8Fouls17

Levski Sofia vs AEK Athens: Champions League Play-off First Leg Preview

#	Team	P	GD	Pts
20	AEK Athens FC	2	-1	3

Published Thu 13 Aug

Levski Sofia and AEK Athens meet in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League play-off tie on Tuesday 18 August 2026. The 19:00 (UTC) kick-off is due to be staged at Levski’s usual Stadion Georgi Asparuhov home in Sofia, where a place in the 36-team league phase is the prize over two legs.

Team News and Injury Latest

Levski head coach Velázquez has a fully-fit squad available after resting several regular starters in domestic action. The Bulgarian champions should be able to call on a settled line-up that has conceded only once in their last four outings, with Everton Bala, Akram Bouras, Maicon and goalkeeper Svetoslav Vutsov all forming part of the European core during the summer qualifiers.

AEK Athens enter the new season adjusting to life without long-serving midfielder Orbelín Pineda, who departed the club in July after four years. Razvan Marin’s set-piece delivery and distribution remain central to the visitors’ planning, while Lazaros Rota gives width from right-back and Harold Moukoudi anchors the defence. Nikolić can choose between Thomas Strakosha and Alberto Brignoli in goal.

Levski Sofia Form Guide

Levski reached this stage by eliminating Kairat Almaty 2-0 on aggregate in the third qualifying round, backing up a 1-0 home win with the same scoreline away from home. Their Champions League qualifying record this summer reads W-D-W-D-W, and they have lost only once across the entire run. Last season the club ended a 17-year wait for the Bulgarian title, beating CSKA 1948 1-0 in May to lift the trophy, form that has fed into their confident European displays.

AEK Athens and the Post-Pineda Midfield

AEK’s most recent competitive results come from May’s Greek Super League play-off round, where they drew 1-1 with Olympiakos and PAOK while defeating Panathinaikos 2-1. The departure of Pineda forces a tactical adjustment in midfield, yet most other key players from that championship-winning campaign remain available. Nikolić’s side will lean on Marin’s ability to dictate tempo and switch play as they try to take a result back to Athens for the return leg.

The Champions Path Play-off Picture

The winners of this tie enter the league-phase draw on Thursday 27 August, joining 29 automatic qualifiers among the 36 competing clubs. The defeated side drops into the Europa League league phase instead, making this play-off a safety net as well as a gateway. Levski’s compact midfield and patient out-of-possession shape will be tested by an AEK side that possesses plenty of continental experience, and the opening leg in Sofia should set the tone for what remains on the line.