With Olympiakos already crowned champions, the playoff and relegation battles are all that are left to play for in Greece in the penultimate weekend of the season.
Olympiakos claimed the title two matches ago and this weekend they face an Atromitos side needing points to ensure safety. Panathinaikos will go into the playoffs as the league’s second-placed side, however will want to end the season strongly after going down to an embarrassing defeat last week to bottom side Panserraikos. This weekend they host Asteras Tripolis who need a win if they are to avoid the drop.
PAOK and Iraklis will contest a Thessaloniki derby on Sunday, while AEK seek the points at Larisa who can only survive with a miracle at this point. The biggest match on the weekend program may just be the clash between Aris and Olympiakos Volos, the result of which could bear greatly on the last playoff berth.
Elsewhere, Panionios host Panserraikos, Kerkyra welcome Ergotelis, while Kavala and Xanthi meet up in a midtable affair.
Iraklis host local rivals PAOK in this weekend’s Thessaloniki derby. PAOK will have bragging rights at the moment as they sit fourth in the table and will be involved in the Super League playoffs. It has been a trying season however for the club, a campaign which began in July with Champions’ League qualification. The season has taken its toll on the team with more and more injuries mounting in recent weeks.
Iraklis have also had a tumultuous campaign, though the good news is that the club haven’t been drawn into the battle against the drop. Iraklis have managed to stay midtable most of the season and the club’s supporters will surely appreciate the team’s effort especially after they were so close to being relegated to the Greek fourth division last July due to huge financial problems plaguing the team.
Left for dead at the start of the year, Panionios have staged a remarkable fightback in order to ensure themselves another season of top-flight football. A 2-1 win at Kekryra last week was the cherry on top for Takis Lemonis’ side, a victory which clinched their safety. Now it is perhaps time for celebration on Sunday at the Nea Smyrni Stadium against Panserraikos.
Panserraikos have been condemned to relegation to the Football League (Greek 2nd Division) for next season. While the club made a fist of it in January and February, the last couple months have shown the side lack the quality to consistently claim results. Credit to the club though and that they are fighting until the end, as evidenced by the 1-0 win over Panathinaikos last weekend.
Kerkyra supporters will hope their team’s topsy-turvy season finally leads to safety this weekend. After a fantastic start to the season, Kerkyra have limped to the finish line in the second half of the campaign. Still two points clear of the drop, the Corfu club can achieve Super League survival this weekend with a victory at home to Ergotelis.
Nikos Karageorgiou had his team challenging for a playoff spot a month back, however a couple defeats in a row spelled an end to that dream. Still, the side from Crete can be happy with a decent campaign that saw them have no relegation worries and which could ultimately see a finish in the top half of the standings.
Asteras Tripolis may have more to play for with their top-flight survival on the line, however Panathinaikos will also be looking for the three points this weekend. Jesualdo Ferreira’s team suffered serious derision last week after their 1-0 against already relegated Panserraikos. The team showed little interest in being involved in the match which could spell trouble just ahead of the playoffs.
Paolo Dermitzakis’ Asteras meanwhile are currently two points from safety and need to grab the points in their final two fixtures in order to avoid the drop. It is a surprising position to be in for a side that has one of the league’s better defensive records. The problems have been in attack, where the club have managed a paltry 18 goals all season, a poor offensive statistic that just may lead to relegation.
While not officially relegated, Larisa’s final fixtures seem more like a mere formality. The club’s survival in the top division now depends on other results as well as their own. They will hope to finish the season in front of home supporters on a good note this weekend against AEK. Larisa’s 1-0 defeat to PAOK last week seemed to end any realistic hopes of the Thessaly side remaining in the Super League as they are now five points from safety with two matches to play.
AEK meanwhile have rebounded from the disastrous derby defeat to Olympiakos by claiming a narrow victory against Atromitos last week 1-0. While internal problems and discontent with supporters have negatively impacted the team, the club still have the chance to make this campaign a positive one with the playoffs coming up and the possibility of winning a trophy in the Greek Cup.
Atromitos face a massive match against Olympiakos on Sunday as they bid to remain in the Super League. A wonderful run in the Greek Cup, where Giorgos Donis’ team has made it to the final on April 30th to face AEK, has been overshadowed in recent weeks by the club’s battle against relegation. A win would be massive against Olympiakos and allow Atromitos to rest a little as they prepare for their final league match and then the Greek Cup final.
Olympiakos have already turned their attention to next season it seems as the club aim to retain the services of Ernesto Valverde. The Spanish manager has claimed his second Greek League title in his second stint with the club, but the rumors suggest he could back in Spain for next season. Olympiakos will surely put forth a strong side against Atromitos, but the impetus now is to begin building for next season.
Perhaps the highlight of this weekend’s matches, Aris host Olympiakos Volos on Sunday. A month ago Aris were struggling mightily, however the appointment of former Volos boss Sakis Tsiolis has changed the team’s fortunes considerably. While still outsiders, Aris now have a chance at 5th place and the final playoff spot. Two victories in their last two matches and assuming Volos fail to win in their final fixture could see Aris claim the final playoff berth in dramatic fashion.
Olympiakos Volos are trying to hang on to 5th spot in what has been a superb season on all accounts. Capturing a playoff place would really be feat for a side that was just promoted this season. It should be a terrific battle at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium on Sunday and Volos will clinch a place in the playoffs if they avoid defeat.
It’s seventh place versus ninth when Kavala and Xanthi meet up on Sunday. The result will have little bearing on the league standings as neither side can make the playoffs at this point.
It has the makings however of an attractive match-up between two evenly-matched teams. These are both clubs that flattered to deceive and the general consensus is that with a bit more consistency they should have been higher up in the standings.
PAOK and Iraklis will contest a Thessaloniki derby on Sunday, while AEK seek the points at Larisa who can only survive with a miracle at this point. The biggest match on the weekend program may just be the clash between Aris and Olympiakos Volos, the result of which could bear greatly on the last playoff berth.
Elsewhere, Panionios host Panserraikos, Kerkyra welcome Ergotelis, while Kavala and Xanthi meet up in a midtable affair.
Iraklis host local rivals PAOK in this weekend’s Thessaloniki derby. PAOK will have bragging rights at the moment as they sit fourth in the table and will be involved in the Super League playoffs. It has been a trying season however for the club, a campaign which began in July with Champions’ League qualification. The season has taken its toll on the team with more and more injuries mounting in recent weeks.
Iraklis have also had a tumultuous campaign, though the good news is that the club haven’t been drawn into the battle against the drop. Iraklis have managed to stay midtable most of the season and the club’s supporters will surely appreciate the team’s effort especially after they were so close to being relegated to the Greek fourth division last July due to huge financial problems plaguing the team.
Left for dead at the start of the year, Panionios have staged a remarkable fightback in order to ensure themselves another season of top-flight football. A 2-1 win at Kekryra last week was the cherry on top for Takis Lemonis’ side, a victory which clinched their safety. Now it is perhaps time for celebration on Sunday at the Nea Smyrni Stadium against Panserraikos.
Panserraikos have been condemned to relegation to the Football League (Greek 2nd Division) for next season. While the club made a fist of it in January and February, the last couple months have shown the side lack the quality to consistently claim results. Credit to the club though and that they are fighting until the end, as evidenced by the 1-0 win over Panathinaikos last weekend.
Kerkyra supporters will hope their team’s topsy-turvy season finally leads to safety this weekend. After a fantastic start to the season, Kerkyra have limped to the finish line in the second half of the campaign. Still two points clear of the drop, the Corfu club can achieve Super League survival this weekend with a victory at home to Ergotelis.
Nikos Karageorgiou had his team challenging for a playoff spot a month back, however a couple defeats in a row spelled an end to that dream. Still, the side from Crete can be happy with a decent campaign that saw them have no relegation worries and which could ultimately see a finish in the top half of the standings.
Asteras Tripolis may have more to play for with their top-flight survival on the line, however Panathinaikos will also be looking for the three points this weekend. Jesualdo Ferreira’s team suffered serious derision last week after their 1-0 against already relegated Panserraikos. The team showed little interest in being involved in the match which could spell trouble just ahead of the playoffs.
Paolo Dermitzakis’ Asteras meanwhile are currently two points from safety and need to grab the points in their final two fixtures in order to avoid the drop. It is a surprising position to be in for a side that has one of the league’s better defensive records. The problems have been in attack, where the club have managed a paltry 18 goals all season, a poor offensive statistic that just may lead to relegation.
While not officially relegated, Larisa’s final fixtures seem more like a mere formality. The club’s survival in the top division now depends on other results as well as their own. They will hope to finish the season in front of home supporters on a good note this weekend against AEK. Larisa’s 1-0 defeat to PAOK last week seemed to end any realistic hopes of the Thessaly side remaining in the Super League as they are now five points from safety with two matches to play.
AEK meanwhile have rebounded from the disastrous derby defeat to Olympiakos by claiming a narrow victory against Atromitos last week 1-0. While internal problems and discontent with supporters have negatively impacted the team, the club still have the chance to make this campaign a positive one with the playoffs coming up and the possibility of winning a trophy in the Greek Cup.
Atromitos face a massive match against Olympiakos on Sunday as they bid to remain in the Super League. A wonderful run in the Greek Cup, where Giorgos Donis’ team has made it to the final on April 30th to face AEK, has been overshadowed in recent weeks by the club’s battle against relegation. A win would be massive against Olympiakos and allow Atromitos to rest a little as they prepare for their final league match and then the Greek Cup final.
Olympiakos have already turned their attention to next season it seems as the club aim to retain the services of Ernesto Valverde. The Spanish manager has claimed his second Greek League title in his second stint with the club, but the rumors suggest he could back in Spain for next season. Olympiakos will surely put forth a strong side against Atromitos, but the impetus now is to begin building for next season.
Perhaps the highlight of this weekend’s matches, Aris host Olympiakos Volos on Sunday. A month ago Aris were struggling mightily, however the appointment of former Volos boss Sakis Tsiolis has changed the team’s fortunes considerably. While still outsiders, Aris now have a chance at 5th place and the final playoff spot. Two victories in their last two matches and assuming Volos fail to win in their final fixture could see Aris claim the final playoff berth in dramatic fashion.
Olympiakos Volos are trying to hang on to 5th spot in what has been a superb season on all accounts. Capturing a playoff place would really be feat for a side that was just promoted this season. It should be a terrific battle at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium on Sunday and Volos will clinch a place in the playoffs if they avoid defeat.
It’s seventh place versus ninth when Kavala and Xanthi meet up on Sunday. The result will have little bearing on the league standings as neither side can make the playoffs at this point.
It has the makings however of an attractive match-up between two evenly-matched teams. These are both clubs that flattered to deceive and the general consensus is that with a bit more consistency they should have been higher up in the standings.
