AEK Athens, unleashed before the match with Craiova University » Victory ZDROBITOARE in the championship

Ashley Davis15/12/2025

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Article by Maria Olteanu – Published Monday, December 15, 2025, 11:18 / Updated Monday, December 15, 2025 11:21

AEK Athens, the last opponent of the University of Craiova, from the unique group of the Conference League, achieved a categorical victory before the match with the Oltean formation, in the first Greek league, away, score 5-0, on the field of Panetolikos, 9th place.

With Răzvan Marin starting, AEK didn't give any chance to the opponent and broke free, continuing the series of excellent results and showing a form of great days before the duel with Coelho's team, a duel that could prove to be decisive for Olteni in the hope of qualification in the “European spring”.

AEK Athens – Universitatea Craiova, in the 6th stage of the Conference League single group, will be played on Thursday evening, December 18, from 22:00. The match will be liveTEXT on GSP.ro and on TV on Prima Sport 1 and Digi Sport 1

AEK Athens, “alien” form before the match with Craiova

Pineda opened the scoring for AEK in the 26th minute, and Joao Mario increased the gap in the 34th minute, 2-0 being the halftime score.

In the second half, AEK scored three more times: Ljubicic signed the “double” in the 62nd and 66th minutes, and Chrysopoulos closed the table at 5-0 in the 77th minute.

Following this clear victory, AEK overtook Răzvan Lucescu's PAOK in the standings with 34 points, being now second in Greece, just one point away from leader Olympiakos.

10AEK Athens have wins and a draw in their last 11 matches in all competitions

Craiova, hellish trip to Athens

In the unique Conference League group, AEK are in fourth place with 10 points and are clearly aiming to stay in the top 8 in order to qualify directly for the last 16 and avoid the play-off in February.

On the other hand, Craiova's mission is a hellish one. Only a win makes them qualify for the “European Spring”, while a draw or a defeat makes them dependent on the other results and at the hands of their opponents.

How do the calculations look before Thursday's game?

Simulations carried out by statisticians confirm this. According to Football Meets Data, the probability that Olten will catch the TOP 24 and compete in the play-off for the eighth is 96%.

For the moment, the white-blues occupy the 23rd place. Immediately below them, Lincoln, also with 7 points, but a lower goal difference.

Among the teams ranked lower than 24th place, only 3 have a mathematical chance to access the places that ensure the continuation in the competition: KuPS and Zrinjski with 6 points each, Breidablik with 5.

In the last stage, KuPS will play in London, with Crystal Palace, Zrinjski will receive the visit of the last ranked, Rapid Vienna, and Breidablik will play in Strasbourg, with the leader of the Conference League.

Along with Craiova, the favorite to advance in the competition is Zrinjski, with a probability of 64%. For that, he needs to get at least one point with the bottom ranked team, Rapid Vienna, and Lincoln to lose in Warsaw, with Legia.

Craiova must be overtaken by two of Lincoln, KuPS, Zrinjski and Breidablik to lose the TOP 24, an unlikely scenario.