This weekend’s Greek Super League program features two key matches that could determine the title race.
With Olympiakos having a seven point advantage over Panathinaikos, a victory against Aris in Thessaloniki on Saturday could be prove to be the crucial moment of the season for Ernesto Valverde’s team in their bid to win the title. Panathinaikos host AEK at the Olympic Stadium in Athens aiming to capitalize on any Olympiakos slip-up and to keep their faint title hopes alive.
Ergotelis have a superb chance to enter the race for a playoff spot if they are able to defeat Kavala. Olympiakos Volos are also near the playoff places and meet Larisa this weekend in a Thessaly derby. Panionios and PAOK kick things off in Saturday’s early match with the former looking for any points they can get in order to avoid relegation.
Elsewhere, relegation battles are on tap as Iraklis and Asteras Tripolis meet up while Kerkyra and Panserraikos also clash. Xanthi host Atromitos with a view on picking up a victory that will ensure safety for another season.
Mired in the last relegation spot, Panionios will be hoping that the friendly confines of their Nea Smyrni Stadium are enough of a boost to secure a huge win over PAOK this weekend. The appointment of Takis Lemonis has brought a fresh wind of change through the club, but Panionios now need to take advantage of their home matches if they are to remain in the Super League.
PAOK went down to a 1-0 home defeat against Panathinaikos last weekend in a match where they were extremely unlucky not to have salvaged at least a draw. Though they have virtually locked up a playoff spot, Makis Chavos’ side will want to avoid falling into a slump before the playoff matches begin in April, especially considering they are still in the Europa League and Greek Cup.
One of the matches of the weekend is set to take place at the Pankritio Stadium as Ergotelis host Kavala. In five years at Ergotelis, Nikos Karageorgiou has seen it all, fighting off relegation, achieving promotion and putting together a solid side. Now the question is whether his club have what it takes to go a step further and claim a top six finish and a playoff berth. Saturday’s match against Kavala will key to Ergotelis’ ambitions as a victory would pull them level with their weekend opponents for the final playoff spot.
Kavala will know that besides Ergotelis, they are also being chased by Aris and Olympiakos Volos for sixth place. The club are in the midst of a three-match unbeaten run and a win in Crete this weekend would almost certainly make them the odds-on favorite to hold on to the final playoff place.
Should Olympiakos successfully come through their crucial encounter with Aris this weekend, then the Piraeus club will have taken their most decisive step toward the league to date. Olympiakos’s play has suffered in recent weeks as the team haven’t managed to replicate the high-flying performances of their early season matches. That said, the side are finding a way to win and another three points against Aris at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium could be a vital moment in the title race.
Aris have suffered a terrible domestic season by their standards, however there appears to be time to make things right. Only three points away from a playoff spot at the moment, the club have it within their grasp to salvage what has been a difficult season. Three points against Olympiakos at home will surely be a welcome boost, but the question is whether Aris, with the league’s worst offense, can breach Olympiakos staunch backline which has only allowed nine goals all season, the best record in the Super League.
While they flirted with a European spot for some time and then hovered dangerously near the drop zone, Iraklis can finally do this weekend what they intended to achieve at the start of the season, retain their Super League status. A win over Asteras Tripolis will all but ensure the financially-troubled club a place in next season’s top-flight and they will be favorites against Asteras especially as Iraklis have a good home record this season.
Out of the relegation zone only on goal difference, Asteras Tripolis need to pick up points down the stretch or else they too are prime candidates for the drop. The Tripoli club have not won in their last five fixtures and last tasted victory at the turn of the New Year. This is the stage where a club like Asteras need to pull the rabbit out of the hat and claim points in a match they are not expected to.
Like Iraklis, Kerkyra began the season brightly only to fade badly recently. A strong first half of the season however just may prove to be the side’s saving grace. There is still to work to do however for Bozidar Bandovic’s bunch and safety could be assured with a home win over Panserraikos on Sunday.
Kerkyra must be careful though not to overlook the league’s last place team. Almost certainties for relegation, Panserraikos have nothing to lose at this stage and could be a dangerous side for any team to face as surely they will be bringing everything to their remaining matches in hopes of getting the points they need to survive.
Larisa take on Olympiakos Volos on Sunday at the AEL FC Arena in what should be a fiery derby. Larisa are in desparate need of the points and though they have performed much better in recent weeks are still trying to shake-off the effects of an awful first half of their campaign. They claimed a big point in last week’s trip to Asteras Tripolis, but now at home they will want nothing but the three points against their local rivals.
Olympiakos Volos still have a shot at the playoffs and that coupled with their fine run in the Greek Cup (semifinal date with Atromitos) means that their first season back in the top division can be considered a great success. It will be interesting to see in the business end of the season if the promoted side can keep their cool and grab sixth place and possibly a spot in the Greek Cup final.
Xanthi and Atromitos meet up on Sunday in a match with little interest to the neutral. Both teams have seemingly achieved safety, though Xanthi would like to make sure of that with a win. Xanthi have had a rollercoaster campaign that saw them in the throes of a relegation battle for a while before a fantastic run saw them climb as high a fifth place. Another poor run of form has seen the club drop back toward the bottom end of the table.
Atromitos need a late charge to entertain thoughts of a playoff berth. Giorgos Donis’ team may be content with a midtable finish at this point especially when relegation looked a possibility a couple months back. The real focus of this team now seems to be on the Greek Cup where Atromitos have made it to the semifinals of the competition.
Seemingly rejuvenated Panathinaikos take on slumping AEK in the Athens derby in Sunday’s late match. Panathinaikos basically need to win out from this point if they are to have any chance at the title. If Jesualdo Ferreira’s team are able to defeat AEK and if Aris can cut points from Olympiakos then the title race could be wide open again especially as Panathinaikos and Olympiakos meet in a weeks’ time. Panathinaikos won at PAOK last weekend and another win against AEK would prove that the club is serious about defending their title.
Manolo Jimenez has endured a tumultuous few months as manager of AEK. After a bright start to his reign, it has all come crashing down at the moment as AEK have lost three of four in all competitions. Still, this a side that should be counted out at one’s own peril as the team have managed several derby wins this season showing that when they want to they have the makings of a decent side. Panathinaikos will be looking to exact some revenge on AEK after the latter knocked them out of the Greek Cup last week.
Ergotelis have a superb chance to enter the race for a playoff spot if they are able to defeat Kavala. Olympiakos Volos are also near the playoff places and meet Larisa this weekend in a Thessaly derby. Panionios and PAOK kick things off in Saturday’s early match with the former looking for any points they can get in order to avoid relegation.
Elsewhere, relegation battles are on tap as Iraklis and Asteras Tripolis meet up while Kerkyra and Panserraikos also clash. Xanthi host Atromitos with a view on picking up a victory that will ensure safety for another season.
Mired in the last relegation spot, Panionios will be hoping that the friendly confines of their Nea Smyrni Stadium are enough of a boost to secure a huge win over PAOK this weekend. The appointment of Takis Lemonis has brought a fresh wind of change through the club, but Panionios now need to take advantage of their home matches if they are to remain in the Super League.
PAOK went down to a 1-0 home defeat against Panathinaikos last weekend in a match where they were extremely unlucky not to have salvaged at least a draw. Though they have virtually locked up a playoff spot, Makis Chavos’ side will want to avoid falling into a slump before the playoff matches begin in April, especially considering they are still in the Europa League and Greek Cup.
One of the matches of the weekend is set to take place at the Pankritio Stadium as Ergotelis host Kavala. In five years at Ergotelis, Nikos Karageorgiou has seen it all, fighting off relegation, achieving promotion and putting together a solid side. Now the question is whether his club have what it takes to go a step further and claim a top six finish and a playoff berth. Saturday’s match against Kavala will key to Ergotelis’ ambitions as a victory would pull them level with their weekend opponents for the final playoff spot.
Kavala will know that besides Ergotelis, they are also being chased by Aris and Olympiakos Volos for sixth place. The club are in the midst of a three-match unbeaten run and a win in Crete this weekend would almost certainly make them the odds-on favorite to hold on to the final playoff place.
Should Olympiakos successfully come through their crucial encounter with Aris this weekend, then the Piraeus club will have taken their most decisive step toward the league to date. Olympiakos’s play has suffered in recent weeks as the team haven’t managed to replicate the high-flying performances of their early season matches. That said, the side are finding a way to win and another three points against Aris at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium could be a vital moment in the title race.
Aris have suffered a terrible domestic season by their standards, however there appears to be time to make things right. Only three points away from a playoff spot at the moment, the club have it within their grasp to salvage what has been a difficult season. Three points against Olympiakos at home will surely be a welcome boost, but the question is whether Aris, with the league’s worst offense, can breach Olympiakos staunch backline which has only allowed nine goals all season, the best record in the Super League.
While they flirted with a European spot for some time and then hovered dangerously near the drop zone, Iraklis can finally do this weekend what they intended to achieve at the start of the season, retain their Super League status. A win over Asteras Tripolis will all but ensure the financially-troubled club a place in next season’s top-flight and they will be favorites against Asteras especially as Iraklis have a good home record this season.
Out of the relegation zone only on goal difference, Asteras Tripolis need to pick up points down the stretch or else they too are prime candidates for the drop. The Tripoli club have not won in their last five fixtures and last tasted victory at the turn of the New Year. This is the stage where a club like Asteras need to pull the rabbit out of the hat and claim points in a match they are not expected to.
Like Iraklis, Kerkyra began the season brightly only to fade badly recently. A strong first half of the season however just may prove to be the side’s saving grace. There is still to work to do however for Bozidar Bandovic’s bunch and safety could be assured with a home win over Panserraikos on Sunday.
Kerkyra must be careful though not to overlook the league’s last place team. Almost certainties for relegation, Panserraikos have nothing to lose at this stage and could be a dangerous side for any team to face as surely they will be bringing everything to their remaining matches in hopes of getting the points they need to survive.
Larisa take on Olympiakos Volos on Sunday at the AEL FC Arena in what should be a fiery derby. Larisa are in desparate need of the points and though they have performed much better in recent weeks are still trying to shake-off the effects of an awful first half of their campaign. They claimed a big point in last week’s trip to Asteras Tripolis, but now at home they will want nothing but the three points against their local rivals.
Olympiakos Volos still have a shot at the playoffs and that coupled with their fine run in the Greek Cup (semifinal date with Atromitos) means that their first season back in the top division can be considered a great success. It will be interesting to see in the business end of the season if the promoted side can keep their cool and grab sixth place and possibly a spot in the Greek Cup final.
Xanthi and Atromitos meet up on Sunday in a match with little interest to the neutral. Both teams have seemingly achieved safety, though Xanthi would like to make sure of that with a win. Xanthi have had a rollercoaster campaign that saw them in the throes of a relegation battle for a while before a fantastic run saw them climb as high a fifth place. Another poor run of form has seen the club drop back toward the bottom end of the table.
Atromitos need a late charge to entertain thoughts of a playoff berth. Giorgos Donis’ team may be content with a midtable finish at this point especially when relegation looked a possibility a couple months back. The real focus of this team now seems to be on the Greek Cup where Atromitos have made it to the semifinals of the competition.
Seemingly rejuvenated Panathinaikos take on slumping AEK in the Athens derby in Sunday’s late match. Panathinaikos basically need to win out from this point if they are to have any chance at the title. If Jesualdo Ferreira’s team are able to defeat AEK and if Aris can cut points from Olympiakos then the title race could be wide open again especially as Panathinaikos and Olympiakos meet in a weeks’ time. Panathinaikos won at PAOK last weekend and another win against AEK would prove that the club is serious about defending their title.
Manolo Jimenez has endured a tumultuous few months as manager of AEK. After a bright start to his reign, it has all come crashing down at the moment as AEK have lost three of four in all competitions. Still, this a side that should be counted out at one’s own peril as the team have managed several derby wins this season showing that when they want to they have the makings of a decent side. Panathinaikos will be looking to exact some revenge on AEK after the latter knocked them out of the Greek Cup last week.
