Albion’s push for the later stages of the Europa League will take them to an English-style stadium and a side going well in their league.

But they can expect a very Greek atmosphere for the fifth group game as they visit AEK Athens.

Which basically means red hot and partisan.

Stands at the 32,000-seat OPAP Arena are tight to the pitch and the Greeks always generate a hostile environment.

Athens – and its Nea Filadelfia quarter - is the next stop on the Europa adventure for the Seagulls.

They go into matchday five in second place in Group B, on seven points.

Marseille lead the way on eight and AEK only have four after losing twice to the French outfit.

But the Greeks would retain head-to-head advantage over the Seagulls if they were to avoid defeat in the return fixture given their 3-2 success at the Amex.

Albion will be all too aware that both Marseille and AEK have still to play Ajax, who are bottom of the group on two points.

That means avoiding defeat in Greece looks key for Roberto De Zerbi’s men.

A win over AEK would secure a place in the knockout stage – as indeed would a draw followed by a home success over Marseille.

Top spot earns a bye in the first knockout round.

Of all four sides in the group, AEK appear to be most stable in their domestic league.

Marseille have had various problems in recent weeks while Ajax, though unbeaten in three in the Eredivisie, suffered late disappointment in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw at Almere City.

Albion are winless in six, albeit picking up single points along the way with an injury-hit team.

AEK were comfortable 3-0 winners at home to Lamia last time out.

Dimitris Vergos, of Gazzetta newspaper and website in Athens, said: “AEK have just a four-point difference from the leaders (Panathinaikos), which is nothing.

“Last year, they had an eight-point difference and they managed to win the title.

“They are playing very well but have had some results which they should have avoided.

“Like a draw with at Kifisia, who are newcomers in the first division, but these results can come up.

“In the last game, they killed it off from the first half.

“They have some players injured but hopefully most or all of them will be back fit for the Brighton match.”

Nordin Amrabat and Jens Jonsson have been out for AEK and defender Harold Moukoudi, who missed the win at the Amex, has sat out the current Cameroon fixtures with a different problem.

AEK have had 12 players away on international duty, including star forward Levi Garcia with Trinidad and Tobago.

They will be heading back for a league trip to lowly Giannini before all eyes return to Europe.

AEK looked to be in a strong position after two rounds of Group B, at which point they were the only team to have won a game.

A goalkeeping calamity led to them then losing 3-1 at Marseille before going down 2-0 in the return.

The team who have had great success scoring at set-pieces, including at the Amex, this time conceded from a corner.

A late counter-attacking goal completed the double for OM.

Vergos said: “In the second half, AEK created chances and could have equalised.

“They couldn’t take chances and, when you don’t score a goal, you will lose.

“It was not one of their best games but they could have equalised.

“It is getting difficult now for them to go through to the next round.

“All AEK players say the same - that they will play even the few chances they have for the Europa League.

“They need a home win, which they have not yet got.

“They will give their 100% against Brighton.

“Brighton are a good team. AEK produced a tremendous performance to win there and no one expected it.

“AEK will depend on their home fans. Their supporters create a hostile atmosphere, a very Greek atmosphere with 32,000 capacity.

“It is a difficult ground to play at.

“But it would be no small matter for AEK to play in the Conference League because this has been the group of death – and AEK have coped well with it so far.”

Albion will hope Ajax have not given up on Europe and can take points off AEK and/or OM in the final two rounds.

They followed their 2-0 defeat by the Seagulls with an underwhelming 2-2 draw at neighbours Almere City.

Chuba Akpom and Benjamin Tahirovic, both assisted by Brian Brobbey, scored as Ajax came from behind to lead.

But a needless foul by Tahirovic allowed Almere to draw level from a penalty with almost the last kick of the game.

Marseille went into the international break with a 1-0 defeat at Lens, who scored their winner with a straightforward header from a corner in the 90th minute.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang missed a glorious chance to equalise in added time.

OM followed their draw with Albion by beating Le Havre 3-0 but have since taken just one point from three league games, as well as seeing their home fixture versus Lyon called off after violent scenes away from the stadium.

They have seen powerful midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia return from injury but it appears Valentin Rongier will be out for the remainder of the group stage.