The Matchday 6 fixture of the 2025/26 Conference League group stage between AEK Athens (Greece) and Universitatea Craiova (Romania) will take place on December 18 at the AEK Arena. AEK Athens – Universitatea Craiova: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
AEK Athens
The Greeks have already secured a place in the play-offs after beating Samsunspor 2-1 away. That was their second consecutive win in the group stage — they had previously beaten Fiorentina 1-0 on the road. The club is unbeaten in four straight matches in this competition (three wins and one draw). Thanks to that run, AEK have climbed to fourth in the table and are well placed to qualify directly for the round of 16, provided they get the better of the Romanians. AEK also lead the group for goals scored in the group stage with 11.
- Only one defeat in their last 12 matches in this competition (six wins and five draws).
- AEK have conceded no more than one goal in seven of their last eight Conference League matches.
- The club remain unbeaten at home in this competition — six wins and two draws.
Projected lineup AEK Athens (4-4-1-1)
Thomas Strakosha – Arol Mukudi, Lazaros Rota, Stavros Pilios, Filipe Relvas – Abubakari Koi̇ta, Roberto Pereira, Orbelín Pineda, Razvan Marin – Petros Mantalos – Luka Jović.
Midfielders Mijat Gacinovic and Zini are sidelined with injuries.
Universitatea Craiova
The Romanian side have seen their hopes of reaching the play-offs diminish after a 1-2 home defeat to Sparta Prague in the last round, which left them down in 23rd place in the overall standings. The nearest rival outside the qualification zone is only one point behind. Prior to that reverse, Universitatea had gone three group-stage matches unbeaten (two wins and a draw). To progress, Craiova need a win in this fixture — a draw might be sufficient only depending on other results among the top 24.
- Unbeaten in five of their last seven Conference League matches (four wins and one draw).
- On the road in this competition, Universitatea have failed to win in eight of their last ten matches — two draws and six defeats.
- The club failed to score more than one goal in nine of their last ten away matches in this tournament.
Projected lineup Universitatea Craiova (3-4-1-2)
Pavel Isenko – Adrian Rus, Alexandr Romanchuk, Juraj Badelj – Teles, Vasile Mogos, Anzor Mekvabishvili, Alexandru Crețu – Alexandru Cicâldău – Mandei Ețim, Ștefan Băjaram.
Midfielder Tudor Baluta and forward Minea Radulescu are out injured.
Referee
Giorgi Kruashvili (Georgia)
Matches – 14 (International matches, 2024/25–2025/26);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 50;
Average yellow cards per match – 3.6;
Red cards shown – 2;
Average fouls per match – 21;
Penalties – 0%.
Match prediction: AEK Athens vs Universitatea Craiova
AEK have been excellent in the Conference League group stage. After five matches they have only one defeat, which came in the opening round in Slovenia against Celje, but the side have learnt from that slip-up and have been solid since. I expect the hosts to go for the win rather than settling for a draw, as finishing outside the top eight would be a real risk.
Picking up three points is entirely realistic. AEK are strong at the AEK Arena and have won six and drawn two of their last eight Conference League home matches, conceding just two goals in their last six home fixtures in the competition. The Romanians will find it difficult to break down such a defence, especially given their poor away form — in their last ten away European matches they have lost six and failed to score in half of those games.
My prediction – AEK Athens to win
* Each team's starting XI reflects their lineup from their previous match in this competition.
