Greece Super League Preview: Week 4 (May 8-15)
The Greek Super League Playoffs begin on Sunday as four teams vie for a lucrative Champions’ League berth.
Will PAOK be celebrating after their match-up with Panathinaikos in Matchday 1 of the Super League Playoffs?
Panathinaikos, AEK, PAOK, and Olympiakos Volos comprise this season’s playoff participants. The teams will play each other in home and away fixtures and the winner of the mini-group playoffs will go into the Champions’ League qualifying stage while the remaining sides will enter the Europa League at various stages.
Thanks to finishing second place during the actual Super League season, Panathinaikos begins the playoffs with three points, AEK and PAOK start with a point apiece while Olympiakos Volos have zero.
Below are previews of the first three Matchdays.
Thanks to finishing second place during the actual Super League season, Panathinaikos begins the playoffs with three points, AEK and PAOK start with a point apiece while Olympiakos Volos have zero.
Below are previews of the first three Matchdays.
 | PAOK vs Panathinaikos |  |
Stadio Toumbas (Thessaloníki), Sunday May 8th, 12:30PM EST
The action begins with this weekend with a crucial clash between PAOK and Panathinaikos. Jesualdo Ferreira’s Panathinaikos side will want to keep their points advantage after Matchday 1, however they face a tough trip to the daunting Toumba Stadium.
Both sides enter the match with nearly fully fit squads and though Panathinaikos are the favorites to claim the Champions’ League spot on offer in these playoffs, it was PAOK last year who ripped up the form book to qualify for the Champions’ League through the playoffs. If that is to happen again, it will take a quick start from Makis Chavos’ team in the first round of matches Sunday.
Both sides enter the match with nearly fully fit squads and though Panathinaikos are the favorites to claim the Champions’ League spot on offer in these playoffs, it was PAOK last year who ripped up the form book to qualify for the Champions’ League through the playoffs. If that is to happen again, it will take a quick start from Makis Chavos’ team in the first round of matches Sunday.
 | AEK Athens vs |
Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis (Athína (Athens)), Sunday May 8th, 2:45PM EST
AEK and Olympiakos Volos meet up at the Olympic Stadium in Matchday 1’s other match-up. AEK are fresh off claiming their first trophy in 9 years after last weekend’s Greek Cup triumph. That match was marred however by pitch invasions and violence from a portion of the club’s supporters and the repercussions from that mean that AEK is now set to play all of their home matches in the playoffs without fans.
For Manolo Jimenez’s side, finishing first in the playoffs represents a huge opportunity to garner a Champions’ League spot and receive major financial help with the money that comes from it.
Olympiakos Volos are this season’s Super League surprise package. After achieving promotion to the top-flight, former manager Sakis Tsiolis led his team on a tear in the Super League. Though he quit two-thirds or the way through the season, Volos were still in good position as far as the playoffs were concerned and beat off a late challenge from Aris to stay in 5th place and win a spot in Europe for the upcoming season.
While the rank outsiders in this lot, the team have the quality to challenge their opponents and had a superb record in league play against the bigger teams.
For Manolo Jimenez’s side, finishing first in the playoffs represents a huge opportunity to garner a Champions’ League spot and receive major financial help with the money that comes from it.
Olympiakos Volos are this season’s Super League surprise package. After achieving promotion to the top-flight, former manager Sakis Tsiolis led his team on a tear in the Super League. Though he quit two-thirds or the way through the season, Volos were still in good position as far as the playoffs were concerned and beat off a late challenge from Aris to stay in 5th place and win a spot in Europe for the upcoming season.
While the rank outsiders in this lot, the team have the quality to challenge their opponents and had a superb record in league play against the bigger teams.
vs PAOK | |
Stadio Volou (Volos), Thursday May 12th, 12:30PM EST
Olympiakos Volos play PAOK in the second round of matches next Thursday. The two sides met twice during Super League play this season. PAOK defeated Volos 3-0 away in January, while early on in the campaign PAOK were held to a 1-1 draw in Toumba.
| Panathinaikos vs AEK Athens | |
Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis (Athína (Athens)), Thursday May 12th, 2:45PM EST
On Matchday 2, one of the most anticipated match-ups of the playoffs take place as local rivals Panathinaikos and AEK clash. The teams have played four times this season already in league and cup action with the sides splitting the matches, each winning twice.
While Panathinaikos had the upper hand in the league with their second place finish, it was AEK who knocked out Panathinaikos in dramatic fashion during the Greek Cup quarterfinals in February.
While Panathinaikos had the upper hand in the league with their second place finish, it was AEK who knocked out Panathinaikos in dramatic fashion during the Greek Cup quarterfinals in February.
| AEK Athens vs PAOK | |
Stadio Toumbas (Thessaloníki), Sunday May 15th, 11:15AM EST
AEK were comprehensive 3-0 winners over PAOK last Sunday in Athens and thanks to that result took over 1st place in the playoffs. Manolo Jimenez’s side have gone from strength to strength after winning the Greek Cup at the end of April and have been in fantastic form during the playoffs.
This Wednesday’s match against PAOK is a crucial test for both sides. PAOK will be seeking a victory to climb back to the top of the table yet again. AEK may have had little trouble against their rivals a few days ago, however PAOK are extremely tough to defeat at home. This has the makings of a fierce contest at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki.
This Wednesday’s match against PAOK is a crucial test for both sides. PAOK will be seeking a victory to climb back to the top of the table yet again. AEK may have had little trouble against their rivals a few days ago, however PAOK are extremely tough to defeat at home. This has the makings of a fierce contest at the Toumba Stadium in Thessaloniki.
vs Panathinaikos | |
Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis (Athína (Athens)), Sunday May 15th, 1:30PM EST
Panathinaikos have been the team that have been the most disappointing during the playoffs. After two defeats from three matches, the club find themselves in serious trouble with regard to reaching the Champions’ League.
Last Sunday’s shock defeat to Olympiakos Volos away by a 2-1 scoreline showcased serious problems within the ranks and at this stage surely the Greek giants are outsiders to claim 1st place in the group with AEK and PAOK the favorites now. Still, Panathinaikos will want to register a victory against Volos on Wednesday so as to stay in the hunt going into the final two matchdays.
Last Sunday’s shock defeat to Olympiakos Volos away by a 2-1 scoreline showcased serious problems within the ranks and at this stage surely the Greek giants are outsiders to claim 1st place in the group with AEK and PAOK the favorites now. Still, Panathinaikos will want to register a victory against Volos on Wednesday so as to stay in the hunt going into the final two matchdays.
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