Greece Super League Preview: Week 20 (Mar 5-6)
With only six rounds of play remaining in the Greek Super League, AEK host PAOK in the biggest match this weekend.
Can AEK and Ignacio Scocco claim the vital three points at home against PAOK?
It will be the second time the two teams meet in the span of a few days as the the clubs played out a controversial 0-0 first leg Greek Cup semifinal on Wednesday also at the Olympic Stadium. Now, before the return leg of the semifinal in Thessaloniki this week, the two teams must turn their focus to the league in a match with playoff implications.
Olympiakos look to take another big step toward the league title when they host Ergotelis. Panathinaikos have only faint title hopes remaining at this stage but will be looking for the win when they travel to embattled Larisa.
Olympiakos Volos will expect nothing less than the three points when they take on Panserraikos. Kavala and Asteras Tripolis highlight one of the weekend’s more interesting match-ups with Kavala looking to keep up their playoff push with Asteras needing points to avoid the drop.
Aris and Iraklis battle it out in a Thessaloniki derby, while Panionios try to continue their positive form against Atromitos. Finally, Xanthi and Kerkyra meet up in a match without much bearing on the league table.
Olympiakos look to take another big step toward the league title when they host Ergotelis. Panathinaikos have only faint title hopes remaining at this stage but will be looking for the win when they travel to embattled Larisa.
Olympiakos Volos will expect nothing less than the three points when they take on Panserraikos. Kavala and Asteras Tripolis highlight one of the weekend’s more interesting match-ups with Kavala looking to keep up their playoff push with Asteras needing points to avoid the drop.
Aris and Iraklis battle it out in a Thessaloniki derby, while Panionios try to continue their positive form against Atromitos. Finally, Xanthi and Kerkyra meet up in a match without much bearing on the league table.
 | Xanthi vs Kerkyra |  |
SKODA Xanthi Arena (Pigadia), Saturday March 5th, 10:15AM EST
Channels: ERT World
Xanthi play host to Kerkyra in one of Saturday’s early matches. If this was played a few weeks ago then the fixture might arouse more interest as both sides were not yet assured their safety in the top-flight. However, each club have picked up the vital wins needed to ensure their status in the Super League for next season and thus there won’t be pressure on the teams for the victory as any extra points at this stage will be an added bonus.
vs Panserraikos |  |
Panthessaliko Stadio (Volos), Saturday March 5th, 10:15AM EST
Panserraikos’ 1-0 home defeat to Asteras Tripolis last weekend was a loss that seemingly condemned the team to relegation. It appears too late now for the Serres club to turn the tide as they are a full nine points from safety with only six matches to play.
Olympiakos Volos on the other hand occupy the league’s final playoff place at the moment and all indications suggest they have what it takes to be there at season’s end. The club are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Atromitos in Greek Cup semifinal action on Wednesday and would be wise to not overlook a Panserraikos side who will be playing their last hand at avoiding the drop. A win on Sunday and overturning their Greek Cup deficit this week against Atromitos could define the club’s season.
Olympiakos Volos on the other hand occupy the league’s final playoff place at the moment and all indications suggest they have what it takes to be there at season’s end. The club are coming off a 2-1 defeat to Atromitos in Greek Cup semifinal action on Wednesday and would be wise to not overlook a Panserraikos side who will be playing their last hand at avoiding the drop. A win on Sunday and overturning their Greek Cup deficit this week against Atromitos could define the club’s season.
 | Aris vs |
Stadio Harilaou Kleánthis Vikelídis (Thessaloníki), Saturday March 5th, 12:30PM EST
Aris and Iraklis will contest a Thessaloniki derby in Saturday’s marquee match. Iraklis have had a tumultuous season which began last summer when they were threatened with expulsion from the Super League due to their perilous financial situation. The club’s supporters saved the club from relegation to the fourth division and the players did their part by doing enough this season to ensure their survival.
Aris meanwhile enjoyed their best-ever run in Europe, making it to the Round of 32 in the Europa League, defeating Atletico Madrid twice and achieving good results against the likes of Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen. On the domestic front things have been quite the opposite with the club struggling with consistency and unable to score goals.
Both sides appear to not have what it takes to play a role in the playoff chase, though a late run by either team could yet mean they have a shot once again at European action next season.
Aris meanwhile enjoyed their best-ever run in Europe, making it to the Round of 32 in the Europa League, defeating Atletico Madrid twice and achieving good results against the likes of Manchester City and Bayer Leverkusen. On the domestic front things have been quite the opposite with the club struggling with consistency and unable to score goals.
Both sides appear to not have what it takes to play a role in the playoff chase, though a late run by either team could yet mean they have a shot once again at European action next season.
 | Olympiakos Piraeus vs Ergotelis |  |
Stadio Georgios Karaiskáki (Pireás (Piraeus)), Sunday March 6th, 8:00AM EST
Channels: ERT World
Olympiakos were denied victory at Panionios last weekend due to a freak goal, however their 10-point lead at the top remained intact as Panathinaikos also drew their match. With the title within their grasp, Ernesto Valverde’s team is ready to take another step toward reclaiming the championship when they host Ergotelis this weekend.
The Crete-based side will attempt to end Olympiakos’ perfect home record at the Karaiskakis Stadium where the league leaders have won all 11 of their matches. Ergotelis come to town however with confidence that they can play with the big boys as they have showed time and time again this season. Nikos Karageorgiou has his side well-placed to challenge for a playoff spot. After last week’s 3-2 defeat to AEK that seems further away however a shock win in Piraeus on Sunday could yet change matters again.
The Crete-based side will attempt to end Olympiakos’ perfect home record at the Karaiskakis Stadium where the league leaders have won all 11 of their matches. Ergotelis come to town however with confidence that they can play with the big boys as they have showed time and time again this season. Nikos Karageorgiou has his side well-placed to challenge for a playoff spot. After last week’s 3-2 defeat to AEK that seems further away however a shock win in Piraeus on Sunday could yet change matters again.
vs Asteras Tripolis |  |
Stadio Kavalas Anthi Karagianni (Kavala), Sunday March 6th, 8:00AM EST
Kavala’s 2-0 win over PAOK last Sunday was the result of the season for the club. It’s importance was as much psychological as it was in terms of the league table where the team climbed to fourth place. Now knowing they can beat some of the top teams in the division, Kavala are in a good position for a top four finish which would be a major surprise in Greece where the top four has long been dominated by the quartet of Olympiakos, Panathinaikos, PAOK, and AEK.
Asteras Tripolis meanwhile are battling it out with Panionios and to a lesser extent Larisa in trying to remain in the Super League. The club did well last weekend to defeat Panserraikos away 1-0 and keep their hopes alive for top-flight football next season.
Asteras Tripolis meanwhile are battling it out with Panionios and to a lesser extent Larisa in trying to remain in the Super League. The club did well last weekend to defeat Panserraikos away 1-0 and keep their hopes alive for top-flight football next season.
 | Atromitos vs Panionios |  |
Stadio Peristeriou (Athína (Athens)), Sunday March 6th, 10:15AM EST
Channels: Nova Sports 1, ERT World
Atromitos having secured their top-flight status may be excused for over-looking Panionios this weekend. This is because Giorgos Donis’ side will almost certainly have their minds of the massive Greek Cup semifinal second leg against Olympiakos Volos next week. Atromitos picked up a 2-1 home win in the first leg and are within one game of making it the Greek Cup final for the first time.
Panionios on the other hand will be thinking of nothing else but the match in question against Atromitos. Takis Lemonis’ revival of the club continued in fine fashion last weekend with a draw against Olympiakos and at the moment his team are outside the drop zone by a single point over Asteras Tripolis. With a favorable schedule down the stretch the feeling is that Panionios are now the favorites to avoid the drop.
Panionios on the other hand will be thinking of nothing else but the match in question against Atromitos. Takis Lemonis’ revival of the club continued in fine fashion last weekend with a draw against Olympiakos and at the moment his team are outside the drop zone by a single point over Asteras Tripolis. With a favorable schedule down the stretch the feeling is that Panionios are now the favorites to avoid the drop.
 | Larissa vs Panathinaikos |  |
AEL Arena (Larissa), Sunday March 6th, 10:15AM EST
Channels: Nova Sports 1, ERT World
If Larisa fail to defeat Panathinaikos on Sunday at the AEL FC Arena then club supporters will begin looking at their potential rivals in the Greek Second Division, the Football League. While Nikos Kostenoglou’s side won’t be relegated mathematically, realistically with such a difficult schedule to finish off the season, Larisa will know that winning their last few home games are absolutely vital as the club have failed to win an away match all season.
Panathinaikos could have cut the lead on Olympiakos last weekend however they ended up tying Atromitos 1-1 in a disappointing display. Jesualdo Ferreira’s team appear to be gearing up for the playoffs at this stage as a 10-point deficit with six matches remaining may be too much in regards to challenging for the title. They will want to keep up the pressure on Olympiakos with a win in Larisa, but the truth is that securing a Champions’ League spot is now the team’s main objective.
Panathinaikos could have cut the lead on Olympiakos last weekend however they ended up tying Atromitos 1-1 in a disappointing display. Jesualdo Ferreira’s team appear to be gearing up for the playoffs at this stage as a 10-point deficit with six matches remaining may be too much in regards to challenging for the title. They will want to keep up the pressure on Olympiakos with a win in Larisa, but the truth is that securing a Champions’ League spot is now the team’s main objective.
 | AEK Athens vs PAOK |  |
Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis (Athína (Athens)), Sunday March 6th, 12:30PM EST
AEK and PAOK will be in the unique situation of having to play each other three teams in the matter of a week. This match will be the second of the trio of fixtures sandwiched between the clubs’ two Greek Cup semifinal matches.
After a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Cup semifinal, matters will be settled by the two teams in Thessaloniki this week. This Sunday however it will all be about the league. AEK brushed away their poor form in recent matches to secure a crucial 3-2 win against Ergotelis last weekend. At the same time, PAOK put their participation in the playoffs at risk with a 2-0 home reverse to Kavala.
It should be intriguing to see how this match unfolds considering how many times the teams will see one another in such a short period of time.
After a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the Cup semifinal, matters will be settled by the two teams in Thessaloniki this week. This Sunday however it will all be about the league. AEK brushed away their poor form in recent matches to secure a crucial 3-2 win against Ergotelis last weekend. At the same time, PAOK put their participation in the playoffs at risk with a 2-0 home reverse to Kavala.
It should be intriguing to see how this match unfolds considering how many times the teams will see one another in such a short period of time.
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