The answer here is simple when you see what kind a man Ulysses, that is Odysseus is and what Minerva, that is Athena is the goddess of. Ulysses is a one of the best, if not best, strategists of his time and his guile and wits are legendary and respected. Minerva is a goddess of wisdom and warfare, especially warfare strategy. Ulysses is a human embodiment of the traits that she is the patron of an that is why he is favored by this particular goddess.
In chapter XIII she says : "We will say no more, however, about this, for we can both of us deceive upon occasion- you are the most accomplished counsellor and orator among all mankind, while I for diplomacy and subtlety have no equal among the gods." This is in the translation by Samuel Butler.