Champions League football returns to Athens, and this one’s got a genuine underdog story behind it. AEK Athens host Austrian champions LASK Linz on Tuesday in their opening league-phase fixture — and while AEK are back in Europe’s top competition for the first time since 2018-19, LASK are making their maiden appearance after one of the wildest comebacks of the season.
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AEK vs LASK: Match Timings and Venue
The clash kicks off on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at 18:45 CET (11:15 PM IST), hosted at AEK’s home ground in Athens. This is Matchday 1 of the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League league phase — the tournament’s 72nd edition, running through to the final at Madrid’s Estadio Metropolitano next June.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Competition | UEFA Champions League, Matchday 1 |
| Date | Tuesday, September 8, 2026 |
| Kick-off | 18:45 CET / 11:15 PM IST |
| Venue | Athens, Greece |
| AEK’s CL appearances | 12th (first since 2018-19) |
| LASK’s CL appearances | 1st ever |
| Head-to-head | First-ever meeting |
AEK vs LASK: Form Guide
AEK arrive in ominous touch — unbeaten in 13 straight matches and having just thrashed Aris 5-0 domestically. Their attack, led by Barnabas Varga (scorer in four consecutive games) and experienced striker Luka Jovic, has been ruthless, while the defense has conceded just once in six outings.
LASK, however, aren’t just making up the numbers. They stunned Celtic in the play-off round, overturning a 4-0 aggregate deficit in a comeback for the ages, and go into this fixture on a four-match winning streak of their own.
Probable Lineups
AEK Athens (4-2-3-1, expected): Strakosha; Rota, Moukoudi, Relvas, Pilios; Marin, Kairinen; Meyer, Vitalis, Zini; Jovic
LASK Linz (3-4-1-2, expected): Jungwirth; Mbuyamba, Alemao, Andrade; Jorgensen, Bogarde, Horvath, Dibango; Danek; Usor, Lang
AEK’s biggest headache is squad registration rather than injuries — Dereck Kutesa, Frantzdy Pierrot and a few others miss out after being left off the club’s Champions League list.
Prediction
AEK’s home advantage, sharper squad depth, and Jovic-Varga firepower make them clear favorites, with bookmakers pricing an AEK win at roughly 57% probability. That said, LASK’s attacking output in Europe this season — 17 goals in four games — suggests goals at both ends are likely. A cautious 2-1 AEK win looks the most sensible call, though Both Teams to Score is a smart secondary bet.
For more Matchday 1 previews across Europe, including line-ups and predictions for Bayern Munich vs Bodø/Glimt and Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal, head over to TechnoSports for full Champions League coverage.
How to Watch
Fans in India can catch the match live on the Sony Sports Network and Sony LIV app, the official broadcasters for the 2026-27 UEFA Champions League season.
FAQs
Q1. Has AEK ever played LASK before?
No — this is the first-ever competitive meeting between the two clubs, making Tuesday’s fixture a genuine head-to-head opener.
Q2. Where can I watch AEK vs LASK live in India?
The match streams live on Sony LIV and airs on the Sony Sports Network from 11:15 PM IST on September 8.
