PREVIEW: AEK Larnaca Visits Hacken in Europa League Group Stage Finale

STOCKHOLM (Interstat) — A spot in the Europa League knockout round playoffs is on the line Thursday when Sweden’s Hacken hosts Cyprus’s AEK Larnaca in the final match of the group stage.

The match, scheduled for Dec. 11 at the Bravida Arena in Gothenburg, pits two teams coming off contrasting Matchday 5 results. AEK Larnaca (3-1-1, 10 points) sits second in Group G and arrives with momentum after a 1-0 home victory over Croatia’s Rijeka on Nov. 27. Hacken (2-0-3, 6 points), currently third, is looking to rebound from a damaging 2-1 away defeat to Bosnia’s Zrinjski on the same date.

A draw would be enough for AEK Larnaca to secure advancement. Hacken must win to have any chance of overtaking AEK Larnaca for the group’s second-place position and a direct berth into the next round.

The visitors have proven formidable in continental play this season. Their campaign includes a stunning 4-0 victory over Dutch side AZ Alkmaar and a 1-0 win at English Premier League club Crystal Palace. Their form has been built on defensive solidity, conceding only three goals in their five Europa League matches.

Hacken’s European results have been inconsistent, mixing dominant performances like 7-2 and 6-3 wins over CFR Cluj and Anderlecht, respectively, with frustrating losses. Their domestic form, however, shows a potent attack, exemplified by a 10-0 Swedish Cup win over IK Rosso Uddevalla on Nov. 5.

According to Interstat’s game simulator, AEK Larnaca is projected to win 2-1. History offers no guide, as this is the first competitive meeting between the clubs.

The outcome will set each club’s continental path for the new year. The group winner advances directly to the Europa League round of 16, while the runner-up enters a playoff against a club dropping from the Champions League. The third-place team transfers to the UEFA Conference League knockout round playoffs.

Both teams conclude their group stage schedules on Dec. 18, with AEK Larnaca hosting Shkendija in the Conference League and Hacken traveling to face Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League.