Man City vs. AEK Athens: Preview, Predictions and Lineups

Man City take on AEK Athens for the first time. | Kristian Skeie/UEFA/Getty Images (Man City), Stefanos Kyriazis/SNS Group/Getty Images (AEK Athens)Manchester City remain perfect in the Premier League after seven matches, but they’re in need of a response in Europe after falling to Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 2 of the league phase.

Manchester City remain perfect in the Premier League after seven matches, but they’re in need of a response in Europe after falling to Paris Saint-Germain on Matchday 2 of the league phase.

Fortunately, the Cityzens have been blessed with a ‘get-right‘ fixture against Greek outfit AEK Athens. Back fighting with Europe’s elite for the first time since 2018–19, AEK followed their slender victory over LASK with a 3–1 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk’s samba stars at Stamford Bridge.

Fortunately, the Cityzens have been blessed with a ‘get-right‘ fixture against Greek outfit AEK Athens. Back fighting with Europe’s elite for the first time since 2018–19, AEK followed their slender victory over LASK with a 3–1 defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk’s samba stars at Stamford Bridge.

The 14-time Greek champions are unbeaten domestically after six games, but are down in fourth having drawn twice. They had their clash at the weekend with Athens rivals Atromitos postponed due to their European commitments, and it will take an almighty effort for Marko Nikolić’s side to snatch a result in Manchester this week.

The 14-time Greek champions are unbeaten domestically after six games, but are down in fourth having drawn twice. They had their clash at the weekend with Athens rivals Atromitos postponed due to their European commitments, and it will take an almighty effort for Marko Nikolić’s side to snatch a result in Manchester this week.

Much of the soccer world is willing them on, however, given the guilty verdict that hangs over Man City’s head. The Cityzens have brought the sport into disrepute, and we remain in flux until sanctions are laid out and their appeal is heard.

Much of the soccer world is willing them on, however, given the guilty verdict that hangs over Man City’s head. The Cityzens have brought the sport into disrepute, and we remain in flux until sanctions are laid out and their appeal is heard.

Enzo Maresca will continue to operate with ignorance, focusing on the tasks at hand on the field. This is a good opportunity for the City boss to rotate after Saturday’s 3–2 win at Ipswich Town, with a trip to an improving Aston Villa looming.

Enzo Maresca will continue to operate with ignorance, focusing on the tasks at hand on the field. This is a good opportunity for the City boss to rotate after Saturday’s 3–2 win at Ipswich Town, with a trip to an improving Aston Villa looming.

Phil Foden celebrated his return to the Man City team with a goal. | Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty ImagesMan City were subject to a Parisian masterclass for 35 minutes on Matchday 2, but would have felt as if a result was theirs for the taking after improving drastically in the second half.

Man City were subject to a Parisian masterclass for 35 minutes on Matchday 2, but would have felt as if a result was theirs for the taking after improving drastically in the second half.

Still, the defeat was hardly disastrous for Maresca’s side, with the length of the league phase reducing the significance of these early encounters. City made the top eight last season despite dropping points in three games, and a trip to Barcelona represents the only major challenge left.

Still, the defeat was hardly disastrous for Maresca’s side, with the length of the league phase reducing the significance of these early encounters. City made the top eight last season despite dropping points in three games, and a trip to Barcelona represents the only major challenge left.

Maresca may switch things around and AEK are well-rested, but you wonder just how much of an impact the visitors being fresher will have against a vastly superior opponent playing their 150th Champions League match.

Maresca may switch things around and AEK are well-rested, but you wonder just how much of an impact the visitors being fresher will have against a vastly superior opponent playing their 150th Champions League match.

Maresca confirmed a big blow for the hosts ahead of Tuesday’s game, with Antoine Semenyo expected to miss the next two months as a result of the knee injury he picked up at the weekend.

Maresca confirmed a big blow for the hosts ahead of Tuesday’s game, with Antoine Semenyo expected to miss the next two months as a result of the knee injury he picked up at the weekend.

There are fewer concerns surrounding Erling Haaland’s foot injury, but Man City’s No. 9 will likely be rested midweek anyway. Maresca said ahead of the Ipswich victory that Haaland, Rúben Dias and Marc Guéhi were prime candidates for respite after a busy start to the season.

There are fewer concerns surrounding Erling Haaland’s foot injury, but Man City’s No. 9 will likely be rested midweek anyway. Maresca said ahead of the Ipswich victory that Haaland, Rúben Dias and Marc Guéhi were prime candidates for respite after a busy start to the season.

Nico O’Reilly’s back injury still lingers, and the marauding left back is unlikely to feature.

Nico O’Reilly’s back injury still lingers, and the marauding left back is unlikely to feature.

If Maresca rotates heavily, there could be a rare opportunity for third-choice left back Rayan Aït-Nouri to impress, as well as the quickly forgotten summer arrival Allan. In the potential absence of Haaland, Phil Foden may be utilized as a false nine.

If Maresca rotates heavily, there could be a rare opportunity for third-choice left back Rayan Aït-Nouri to impress, as well as the quickly forgotten summer arrival Allan. In the potential absence of Haaland, Phil Foden may be utilized as a false nine.

Man City predicted lineup vs. AEK Athens (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Aït-Nouri; Anderson, Bouaddi; Allan, Cherki, Doku; Foden.

Man City predicted lineup vs. AEK Athens (4-2-3-1): Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Guéhi, Aït-Nouri; Anderson, Bouaddi; Allan, Cherki, Doku; Foden.

AEK head into Tuesday’s match healthy, with goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha likely to be the only absentee due to a wrist injury. The former Lazio shot-stopper is expected to be back in action by the time they face Real Madrid on Nov. 4.

AEK head into Tuesday’s match healthy, with goalkeeper Thomas Strakosha likely to be the only absentee due to a wrist injury. The former Lazio shot-stopper is expected to be back in action by the time they face Real Madrid on Nov. 4.

The visitors do have an established strike pairing to lean on, with Luka Jović, once of Real Madrid, and Barnabas Varga working in tandem. The two forwards have each scored four league goals this season, and are awaiting to strike for the first time in this competition.

The visitors do have an established strike pairing to lean on, with Luka Jović, once of Real Madrid, and Barnabas Varga working in tandem. The two forwards have each scored four league goals this season, and are awaiting to strike for the first time in this competition.

Croatian playmaker Lovro Majer is another one to keep an eye on. Majer hasn’t quite lived up to his potential after claiming Dinamo Zagreb’s No. 10 jersey as a 20-year-old in 2018, but he’s nonetheless blessed with a lovely left foot and is capable of servicing AEK’s two main goalscorers.

Croatian playmaker Lovro Majer is another one to keep an eye on. Majer hasn’t quite lived up to his potential after claiming Dinamo Zagreb’s No. 10 jersey as a 20-year-old in 2018, but he’s nonetheless blessed with a lovely left foot and is capable of servicing AEK’s two main goalscorers.

AEK Athens predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-4-2): Brignoli; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilo; Majer, Kairinen, Marin, Vitális; Varga, Jović.

AEK Athens predicted lineup vs. Man City (4-4-2): Brignoli; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilo; Majer, Kairinen, Marin, Vitális; Varga, Jović.

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Published 2 minutes ago | Modified 2 minutes agoJAMES CORMACKJames Cormack is a writer for SI FC. Opting against a football coaching undergraduate degree at the last minute, he instead decided to take on a six-month internship with 90min in 2019 and hasn't looked back. Cormack's current SEO focus means he tends to venture to the land of match previews and predicted lineups, but he also has a wealth of experience in news and feature writing. A passion for soccer's history and the European game often takes his work beyond the familiarity of the Premier League, but it's with Tottenham Hotspur where his strongest allegiance lies.