Greece Super League Preview: Week 24 (Feb 26-27)
The Greek Super League resumes this week in the aftermath of last week’s controversial derby between Olympiakos and Panathinaikos.
The talk in Greece is still focused on last weekend’s controversial Olympiakos-Panathinaikos derby
In that match, Olympiakos came out victorious 2-1 and all but sealed up the title opening up a 10-point lead with seven matches remaining. However, the real story had to do with some poor refereeing decisions that went against Panathinaikos and chaotic scenes at the end when Olympiakos supporters stormed the pitch and allegedly attacked Panathinaikos players.
Add to this several instances of problems after the two sets of players headed into the locker rooms and it amounted to one of the most ill-tempered derbies in recent years. This weekend, Olympiakos face a difficult trip to Panionios, a side who seem to have the momentum in avoiding relegation. Panathinaikos are at home to Atromitos, the latter looking to assure themselves of remaining in the top-flight.
In two matches that have real bearing on the playoff race, Ergotelis welcome AEK to Crete while Kavala travel to Thessaloniki to face PAOK. Panserraikos look condemned to the drop and play their final card for survival against fellow embattled club Asteras Tripolis. Larisa also are prime relegation candidates and will hope to begin a sequence of victories beginning this weekend against Aris.
Elsewhere, Iraklis host Xanthi while Olympiakos Volos travel to Corfu to take on Kerkyra.
Add to this several instances of problems after the two sets of players headed into the locker rooms and it amounted to one of the most ill-tempered derbies in recent years. This weekend, Olympiakos face a difficult trip to Panionios, a side who seem to have the momentum in avoiding relegation. Panathinaikos are at home to Atromitos, the latter looking to assure themselves of remaining in the top-flight.
In two matches that have real bearing on the playoff race, Ergotelis welcome AEK to Crete while Kavala travel to Thessaloniki to face PAOK. Panserraikos look condemned to the drop and play their final card for survival against fellow embattled club Asteras Tripolis. Larisa also are prime relegation candidates and will hope to begin a sequence of victories beginning this weekend against Aris.
Elsewhere, Iraklis host Xanthi while Olympiakos Volos travel to Corfu to take on Kerkyra.
vs Xanthi |  |
Kaftanzoglio Stadio (Thessaloníki), Saturday February 26th, 10:15AM EST
Channels: Antenna Pacific, ANT1 Satellite
Iraklis and Xanthi will do battle in Thessaloniki in a true midtable clash. While both sides will want the three points, the truth is that each club have little to fight for at this stage of the season. Iraklis and Xanthi both went through periods of the season where Europe and relegation were distinct possibilities and now have settled into the safety of the middle of the pack. Of paramount importance now is that barring a disastrous end to the season they will remain in the Super League.
 | Kerkyra vs |
Stadio Kerkyras (Kerkyra (Corfu)), Saturday February 26th, 10:15AM EST
Two of this season’s promoted sides meet up in Corfu when Kerkyra play host to Olympiakos Volos. Kerkyra secured their status in the Super League for another season with a vital away win against Asteras Tripolis last weekend and could yet have an outside chance at the playoffs with a late run, though that appears unlikely at this point.
The main news coming out of the Olympiakos Volos camp is the departure of manager Sakis Tsiolis. Extremely liked by supporters and enjoying a superb season, Tsiolis surprisingly quit the team after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Iraklis. Rumors suggest the coach was upset with the handling of team affairs by Volos President Achilleas Beos. Makis Katsavakis takes over for Volos who are well-placed to fight for 5th place in the league and also are in the semifinals of the Greek Cup.
The main news coming out of the Olympiakos Volos camp is the departure of manager Sakis Tsiolis. Extremely liked by supporters and enjoying a superb season, Tsiolis surprisingly quit the team after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Iraklis. Rumors suggest the coach was upset with the handling of team affairs by Volos President Achilleas Beos. Makis Katsavakis takes over for Volos who are well-placed to fight for 5th place in the league and also are in the semifinals of the Greek Cup.
 | Panathinaikos vs Atromitos |  |
Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis (Athína (Athens)), Saturday February 26th, 12:30PM EST
Channels: Antenna Pacific, ANT1 Satellite
Panathinaikos supporters were infuriated by last weekend’s 2-1 loss to Olympiakos, more so by the key decisions that went against their side in a match full of controversy. In response to the happenings at the Karaiskakis Stadium, fans of the club have pledged to pack into the Olympic Stadium this weekend against Atromitos to show their support for the club and also demonstrate their protest to how their club were treated.
After being caught in the middle of a mob of fans at the final whistle of the derby, Djibril Cisse insisted he was attacked by opposing supporters and has vowed to quit Greek football at season’s end. That would be a huge loss for the club as Cisse has been nothing short of spectacular in his two seasons in Greece.
Atromitos will be seeking to grab a point at least as they look to lock up their quest for survival in the top-flight ahead of their Greek Cup semifinal 1st leg match against Olympiakos Volos.
After being caught in the middle of a mob of fans at the final whistle of the derby, Djibril Cisse insisted he was attacked by opposing supporters and has vowed to quit Greek football at season’s end. That would be a huge loss for the club as Cisse has been nothing short of spectacular in his two seasons in Greece.
Atromitos will be seeking to grab a point at least as they look to lock up their quest for survival in the top-flight ahead of their Greek Cup semifinal 1st leg match against Olympiakos Volos.
 | Panserraikos vs Asteras Tripolis |  |
Gipedo Serron (Serres), Sunday February 27th, 8:00AM EST
Channels: ERT World
Panserraikos could be condemned to relegation on Sunday should they fail to defeat Asteras Tripolis. While the team won’t be mathematically relegated, the truth is that even at this stage a minor miracle is needed for Panserraikos to avoid the drop.
Asteras Tripolis are virtually in the same position though, each match at this stage of the season taking on the look of a final. Both teams failed to win last weekend, Asteras going down 2-0 to Kerkyra in a stinging loss, Panserraikos managing a credible draw at Kavala. Panserraikos have by far the worst defensive in the league having conceded 36 goals, so something has got to give when they face off against the league’s worst offense in Asteras Tripolis, the club having managed only 14 goals in 23 matches.
Asteras Tripolis are virtually in the same position though, each match at this stage of the season taking on the look of a final. Both teams failed to win last weekend, Asteras going down 2-0 to Kerkyra in a stinging loss, Panserraikos managing a credible draw at Kavala. Panserraikos have by far the worst defensive in the league having conceded 36 goals, so something has got to give when they face off against the league’s worst offense in Asteras Tripolis, the club having managed only 14 goals in 23 matches.
 | Ergotelis vs AEK Athens |  |
Pankritio Stadio (Iraklio (Heraklion)), Sunday February 27th, 10:15AM EST
Channels: Antenna Pacific, ANT1 Satellite
The talk of crisis started long ago with AEK this season, however the club would be plunged further into the abyss should they shockingly miss the playoffs. That has become a distinct possibility after a disastrous run of form and this weekend Manolo Jimenez’s side travel to play high-flying Ergotelis.
Nikos Karageorgiou’s team are a settled side who have their eye on the final playoff place and while it remains to be seen whether the club have what it takes to claim a top five finish, recent evidence suggests that this is a team to watch down the stretch. Ergotelis were off last weekend as their match against PAOK was postponed due to PAOK’s Europa League participation.
AEK meanwhile were disappointing yet again giving up a late goal to draw 1-1 with Panionios. That result means AEK have won only once in their last five outings and now they are in real danger of missing out on Europe should they continue such poor form.
Nikos Karageorgiou’s team are a settled side who have their eye on the final playoff place and while it remains to be seen whether the club have what it takes to claim a top five finish, recent evidence suggests that this is a team to watch down the stretch. Ergotelis were off last weekend as their match against PAOK was postponed due to PAOK’s Europa League participation.
AEK meanwhile were disappointing yet again giving up a late goal to draw 1-1 with Panionios. That result means AEK have won only once in their last five outings and now they are in real danger of missing out on Europe should they continue such poor form.
 | PAOK vs |
Stadio Toumbas (Thessaloníki), Sunday February 27th, 10:15AM EST
Channels: ERT World
PAOK were inspirational in their 2nd leg Round of 32 Europa League encounter (1-1) with CSKA Moscow last Tuesday, however failure to capitalize on numerous opportunities meant the Thessaloniki club dropped out of the competition 2-1 on aggregate. Makis Chavos’ side must now focus back on domestic matters, beginning with a crunch clash against Kavala this weekend.
This is a match with wide-ranging playoff implications. PAOK may be sure bets for 3rd place, but Kavala are currently 5th and are looking to extend their narrow lead for the last playoff spot. They did themselves no favors with last weekend’s uninspired 0-0 draw with last-placed Panserraikos. In the first half of the season, PAOK picked up a 1-0 win in Kavala, so now Henry Kaspersczak’s side will look to return the favor.
This is a match with wide-ranging playoff implications. PAOK may be sure bets for 3rd place, but Kavala are currently 5th and are looking to extend their narrow lead for the last playoff spot. They did themselves no favors with last weekend’s uninspired 0-0 draw with last-placed Panserraikos. In the first half of the season, PAOK picked up a 1-0 win in Kavala, so now Henry Kaspersczak’s side will look to return the favor.
 | Panionios vs Olympiakos Piraeus |  |
Stadio Néas Smírnis (Athína (Athens)), Sunday February 27th, 12:30PM EST
Channels: Antenna Pacific, ANT1 Satellite
Panionios continue their drive to safety this weekend against Olympiakos. Takis Lemonis has engineered a remarkable turn-around at the club since being appointed around the New Year. Panionios are three points clear of the relegation zone at the moment and have gone undefeated against the likes of PAOK, Panathinaikos, and AEK in the last month.
Now they will try to pull the trick on champions-elect Olympiakos. The Piraeus club will have to self-destruct in order to lose the title now, however Ernesto Valverde has called on his side to continue winning matches and finish the season positively. Though they did win the massive tie against Panathinaikos, Olympiakos faded fast after a bright start and the club’s supporters will want to see the team finish the campaign strongly.
Now they will try to pull the trick on champions-elect Olympiakos. The Piraeus club will have to self-destruct in order to lose the title now, however Ernesto Valverde has called on his side to continue winning matches and finish the season positively. Though they did win the massive tie against Panathinaikos, Olympiakos faded fast after a bright start and the club’s supporters will want to see the team finish the campaign strongly.
 | Larissa vs Aris |  |
AEL Arena (Larissa), Sunday February 27th, 12:30PM EST
Channels: ERT World
Aris went down 3-0 to Manchester City on Thursday putting an end to their best-ever season in European competition. Now the goal is to qualify for Europe again, though the club find themselves on the outside looking in with regard to the playoff picture. The quest to get back to Europe continues this weekend with a tough away match at Larisa.
Nikos Kostenoglou’s men are six points from safety at the moment and need to really put a stretch of victories together should they save themselves from relegation. The team picked up a decent result in Xanthi last weekend with a 1-1 draw, but at this stage draws are simply not enough. Failure to claim the three points this weekend coupled with a positive Panionios result against Olympiakos could bring Larisa to the brink.
Nikos Kostenoglou’s men are six points from safety at the moment and need to really put a stretch of victories together should they save themselves from relegation. The team picked up a decent result in Xanthi last weekend with a 1-1 draw, but at this stage draws are simply not enough. Failure to claim the three points this weekend coupled with a positive Panionios result against Olympiakos could bring Larisa to the brink.
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