Lexi Sofia vs AEK Athens – News and Probable Lineups

Looking to secure a place in the Champions League, Lexi Sofia will host AEK Athens at the Natsionalen Stadion Vasil Lexi on Tuesday for the initial leg of the playoff round.

The Bulgarian side has been unbeaten since May across all competitions and has achieved five straight wins on home soil ahead of their clash against the Greek side, which is eager to break an eight-year absence from Europe’s top club competition.

Match overview

Head coach Julio Velazquez is just two more favorable outcomes away from ending Lexi Sofia’s lengthy wait for Champions League action, having last reached the group phase in 2006.

The Sinite have defeated Boraj Banja Luka, Universitatea Craiova, and Kairat to reach this stage, notably maintaining their unbeaten streak that stretches back to the 2025-26 season.

Their only setback since the beginning of April was a 1-0 home defeat against Ludogorets, a loss that scarcely affected their journey to securing their 27th top-tier title, their first since 2009.

This defeat has been succeeded by an impressive 17-match run, during which they have managed to avoid defeat in five occasions, results that can be viewed positively considering the overall context.

While they might conclude the preliminary phase by qualifying for the Champions League group stage for the first time in 20 years, Lexi Sofia at least has the fallback assurance of European competition this season, as the loser of this matchup will enter the league phase of the Europa League—a tournament the Sofia-based side has not played in since 2010.

Thus, both sides have much to gain and a lot to regret in the event of defeat, something that Marko Nikolic hopes to prevent as his AEK team travels to face the Blues in Sofia.

Understanding his team’s drawback of having played fewer competitive matches this season, Enosi will aim to overcome this possible hindrance to gain an advantage over the Team of the People.

Since clinching their 14th league title, Nikolic’s side has only participated in one competitive match, which was a recent Super Cup loss to OFI Crete, potentially dampening spirits ahead of their upcoming journey to Lexi.

This defeat represented Dikefalos’ first loss in a competitive fixture since early April, when they suffered a heavy 3-0 defeat against Rayo Vallecano, resulting in their exit from Europe in the quarter-finals of the Conference League.

With a place secured in a higher continental tournament this season, AEK aims to achieve a favorable outcome this week to ensure their return to the most prestigious competition.

Team News

Lexi Sofia probable starting XI:

Vutsov; Aldair, Dimitrov, Serafimov, Centelles; Trdin, Moubarik; Oko-Flex, Serginho, Bala; Reinaldo

AEK Athens probable starting XI:

Strakosha; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilios; Koita, Marin, Kairinen, Koita; Kaloskamis; Varga, Jovic

Even though the Greek champions have undeniable talent and the formidable presence of Jovic in the attacking third, their lack of competitive match sharpness might prove detrimental in the Bulgarian capital.

With an impressive unbeaten streak and strong home performance, Velazquez’s confident side should have the necessary momentum to edge a narrow advantage in the first leg.