AEK Larnaca vs Legia: Europa League Prediction (07.08.2025)

On Thursday, August 7 at 18:30 CET, at the “AEK Arena” in Larnaca, the local football club will host Warsaw’s Legia in the first leg of the third qualifying round of the 2025–2026 UEFA Europa League. On their way to this stage, the Cypriots managed to get past Belgrade’s Partizan and Slovenia’s Celje. The Poles also played in the previous two rounds and proved stronger than Kazakhstan’s Aktobe and Czech side Ostrava.

In the two-legged tie between AEK Larnaca and Legia, bookmakers do not single out a clear favourite or underdog. A home win for the “Yellow-Greens” is priced at 2.43, while their progression to the final qualifying round is at 2.05. For the “Army Men”, the odds in the same markets are 2.93 and 1.77 respectively. Total over 2.5 is valued at 2.05, meaning analysts do not expect high scoring here. Both teams to score is offered at 1.80.

AEK Larnaca

Imanol Idiakez once already coached the Cypriot club. In early July, the Spanish specialist returned to Larnaca and has already pleased the local fans. Yes, in the previous stages they defeated not the strongest representatives of European football: Partizan and Celje cannot be called strong clubs today. But last season AEK looked unconvincing even in the Cypriot League and settled for only fourth place in the national championship. Reaching the main stage of any European competition would be a big success for the “Warriors”.

Legia

The Warsaw team also has a new coach – Romanian specialist Edward Iordănescu. So far, at the start of the new season, everything looks good. Eliminating Aktobe and Ostrava looked quite predictable. But in addition to these European successes, the “Legionnaires” managed to claim the first title of the season at the national level. In the Super Cup match, they defeated the country’s champions Lech Poznań 2–1.

Among the summer signings, attention can be paid to the purchase from Brøndby of Danish forward of Montenegrin origin Mileta Rajović. However, this once promising striker failed to make his mark either at Watford or Brøndby. Perhaps the new coach will find a way to utilise his goal-scoring potential.

Stats and Head-to-Head Record

Previously, the clubs have not met in European competition.

Prediction

Both teams have already tasted European competition and victories in the current season. AEK and Legia scored in all four previous qualification matches. Let’s bet on both teams to score at 1.80.