Greece Super League Preview: Week 23 (Feb 19-26)
Olympiakos and Panathinaikos clash this weekend in Greece’s biggest match of the season which could end up deciding the title.
Djirbil Cisse will aim to get the goals for Panathinaikos in the Greek Clasico against Olympiakos
Olympiakos currently hold a seven-point advantage at the top so for Panathinaikos it is potentially their last chance to close the gap with only seven matches remaining in the championship. PAOK, currently third place, have had their weekend match against Ergotelis postponed to a later date due to their Europa League encounter with CSKA Moscow on Thursday.
AEK are in the midst of a terrible run of form and will expect the three points against rejuvenated Panionios in order to maintain their playoff hopes. Olympiakos Volos hosts Iraklis and Kavala take on Panserraikos in two other matches with playoff implications.
Elsewhere, Aris seek to return to winning ways when they make the trip to Athens to face Atromitos. Asteras Tripolis will aim to climb out of the relegation zone with a home win against Kerkyra while Larisa need only a win in order to maintain their hopes of survival as they travel to Xanthi.
AEK are in the midst of a terrible run of form and will expect the three points against rejuvenated Panionios in order to maintain their playoff hopes. Olympiakos Volos hosts Iraklis and Kavala take on Panserraikos in two other matches with playoff implications.
Elsewhere, Aris seek to return to winning ways when they make the trip to Athens to face Atromitos. Asteras Tripolis will aim to climb out of the relegation zone with a home win against Kerkyra while Larisa need only a win in order to maintain their hopes of survival as they travel to Xanthi.
 | Asteras Tripolis vs Kerkyra |  |
Gipedo Astera Tripolis (Tripoli), Saturday February 19th, 10:15AM EST
Channels: Nova Sports 1, ERT World
Asteras Tripolis picked up a potentially vital point last weekend in a 0-0 draw away to Iraklis. More than a point however will be desired this weekend when they host Kerkyra. Asteras are currently third from the bottom meaning that if the situation holds then they will relegated.
Against Kerkyra, Asteras must find just their second home victory in 11 matches, should they do so then they will approach their battle against the drop with renewed confidence.
Kerkyra meanwhile strolled to a 3-0 victory over bottom side Panserraikos last weekend as they distanced themselves from the relegation zone. They are five points above the drop zone, though another victory against Asteras on Saturday would go a long way in clinching their top-flight status.
Against Kerkyra, Asteras must find just their second home victory in 11 matches, should they do so then they will approach their battle against the drop with renewed confidence.
Kerkyra meanwhile strolled to a 3-0 victory over bottom side Panserraikos last weekend as they distanced themselves from the relegation zone. They are five points above the drop zone, though another victory against Asteras on Saturday would go a long way in clinching their top-flight status.
 | Olympiakos Piraeus vs Panathinaikos |  |
Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki (Pireás (Piraeus)), Saturday February 19th, 12:30PM EST
Channels: ERT World
The mother of all Greek derbies takes place on Saturday when historic rivals Olympiakos and Panathinaikos clash at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Olympiakos are essentially playing for two results as they have established a seven-point lead over Panathinaikos in the title race, so even a draw won’t be frowned upon by the Piraeus club.
Still, it appears that both teams will be going for the win as besides the massive importance this match holds for the title race, pride and bragging rights are also at stake. Panathinaikos have hit on some good form in recent matches, but will understand that in order to continue entertaining thoughts of defending their title they will have to win this fierce derby.
Olympiakos on the other hand have the peace of mind of being several points clear and have been perfect at their home ground this season winning all 10 of the matches they have played there.
Jesualdo Ferreira will be without the services of Panathinaikos duo Jean-Alain Boumsoung and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, while his counterpart Ernesto Valverde has a full side from to which to select from.
Still, it appears that both teams will be going for the win as besides the massive importance this match holds for the title race, pride and bragging rights are also at stake. Panathinaikos have hit on some good form in recent matches, but will understand that in order to continue entertaining thoughts of defending their title they will have to win this fierce derby.
Olympiakos on the other hand have the peace of mind of being several points clear and have been perfect at their home ground this season winning all 10 of the matches they have played there.
Jesualdo Ferreira will be without the services of Panathinaikos duo Jean-Alain Boumsoung and Lazaros Christodoulopoulos, while his counterpart Ernesto Valverde has a full side from to which to select from.
vs Panserraikos |  |
Stadio Kavalas Anthi Karagianni (Kavala), Saturday February 19th, 12:30PM EST
Kavala went down 2-1 to Ergotelis last weekend and suffered a blow in becoming the out-and-out favorite for fifth place and the final playoff spot. Still, they can take command of fifth place once again this weekend. Henry Kasperczak’s side will be the heavy favorites against a Panserraikos team that is heading towards relegation.
Panserraikos are slumping from defeat to defeat and failure to snatch up the three points this weekend may see the club faller deeper into the relegation abyss.
Panserraikos are slumping from defeat to defeat and failure to snatch up the three points this weekend may see the club faller deeper into the relegation abyss.
 | Atromitos vs Aris |  |
Stadio Peristeriou (Athína (Athens)), Sunday February 20th, 10:15AM EST
Channels: Nova Sports 1, ERT World
Atromitos take on Aris this Sunday in a match that could eliminate one side from challenging for a playoff spot. Five points back in the race for the final playoff place, Atromitos need a victory to stay in the contention. A couple weeks ago Giorgos Donis’ side appeared to be in good shape however two defeats and a draw in their last three matches have put the club back into the bottom half of the table.
Aris meanwhile were impressive in their 0-0 home draw with Manchester City in Round of 32 Europa League action earlier this week. The problem for the club has been the difficulty in transferring their superb European displays to the domestic stage this season. The club’s league campaign has seen inconsistent results and erratic performances. Only a late charge in the final matches will see Aris rise up and gain a European berth again.
Aris meanwhile were impressive in their 0-0 home draw with Manchester City in Round of 32 Europa League action earlier this week. The problem for the club has been the difficulty in transferring their superb European displays to the domestic stage this season. The club’s league campaign has seen inconsistent results and erratic performances. Only a late charge in the final matches will see Aris rise up and gain a European berth again.
 | AEK Athens vs Panionios |  |
Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis (Athína (Athens)), Sunday February 20th, 12:30PM EST
AEK’s season has gone from bad to worse and the team showed glaring defensive problems in last weekend’s 3-1 derby loss to Panathinaikos. Having given up 26 goals thus far, AEK are tied for the third worst defensive record in the Super League. The focus of the club may have shifted to winning the Greek Cup as AEK are in the final four of that competition, however Manolo Jimenez’s team need to continue winning points if they want to assure themselves European football next season.
This weekend Panionios come to the Olympic Stadium and their recent form has seen the club go from relegation certainties to favorites to stay up. Takis Lemonis has engineered a tremendous turn around which has gained real steam in light of last weekend’s massive win against PAOK. A similar feat against AEK on Sunday could be the result that keeps Panionios in the Super League.
This weekend Panionios come to the Olympic Stadium and their recent form has seen the club go from relegation certainties to favorites to stay up. Takis Lemonis has engineered a tremendous turn around which has gained real steam in light of last weekend’s massive win against PAOK. A similar feat against AEK on Sunday could be the result that keeps Panionios in the Super League.
 | Xanthi vs Larissa |  |
SKODA Xanthi Arena (Pigadia), Sunday February 20th, 12:30PM EST
Channels: ERT World
Larisa’s 2-1 local derby defeat to Olympiakos Volos last weekend seemingly condemned the club to relegation. Now Nikos Kostenoglou must rally his troops into picking up their first away win of the season at Xanthi.
It has been a dramatic fall from grace for the 2007 Greek Cup winners who were involved in European competition just two years ago. Now, even with a brand new state of the art stadium, the AEL FC Arena, Larisa look favorites for the drop barring a miraculous late run.
Xanthi have had a season where they once occupied a place in the relegation zone only to climb to fifth position at one point. The club’s current position of 11th in the Greek Super League table seems to be the right one as there doesn’t appear to be enough belief in fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
It has been a dramatic fall from grace for the 2007 Greek Cup winners who were involved in European competition just two years ago. Now, even with a brand new state of the art stadium, the AEL FC Arena, Larisa look favorites for the drop barring a miraculous late run.
Xanthi have had a season where they once occupied a place in the relegation zone only to climb to fifth position at one point. The club’s current position of 11th in the Greek Super League table seems to be the right one as there doesn’t appear to be enough belief in fighting for a spot in the playoffs.
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