As the Greek Super League Playoffs enter the final three Matchdays, AEK aim to keep their advantage and qualify for the Champions’ League.
Even though Panathinaikos had the advantage going into the playoffs as the club began the round-robin group with 3 points, Jesualdo Ferreira’s men have been in poor form. They have been overtaken at the top by AEK who have continued their recent upswing in form by winning two of their first three matches in the playoff phase.
After three matches, AEK lead the standings with 8 points, followed by PAOK in second place with 7 points. Panathinaikos are in 3rd spot with 4 points and Olympiakos Volos just a point behind in 4th with 3 points. All the clubs are still in contention for 1st place in the group which will give one team a spot in the next season Champions’ League qualifiers.
Here are mini previews for the final three matchdays of the Greek Super League playoffs.
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.
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.
AEK were dealt heavy defeats by Olympiakos Volos during the regular season and only eked out a victory over the season’s surprise package during the first match of the playoffs. Even if they go into this match at the top of the table, Jimenez and his players will be wary of the difficulty of facing Volos on their own turf.
Though Volos were not expected to do much during the playoffs, the club have battled well in every match thus far and produced a good display to defeat Panathinaikos this past weekend. If they can get points in their final home match against AEK, they may have a shot of finishing in 2nd or 3rd place.
This has the makings of a crucial match, with the result eliminating one team from contention a distinct possibility. PAOK were victorious over Panathinaikis during the first match of the playoffs 2-1, but Makis Chavos’ side have struggled on their trips to Athens as evidenced by the recent 3-0 defeat to AEK.
If Panathinaikos can find a way past Volos then another victory against PAOK could put them back on track in the playoffs. The final three matches are a giant opportunity for Panathinaikos because they will in essence be playing three home matches in a row, with the final match against AEK technically an away fixture, but to be played in the Olympic Stadium without supporters, the venue that the two teams share.
On the final matchday of the Greek Super League playoffs, PAOK have the easier task on paper as they host outsiders Olympiakos Volos. If the Thessaloniki side can be at the top or near the top once again going into the final match then they could have a legitimate shot of qualifying for the Champions’ League for the second consecutive season.
This is a match that could have the importance of cup final as potentially both side will go into this final fixture with a chance at claiming 1st place in the group. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw with each other on Matchday 2 and have already played one another on five occasions this season.
After three matches, AEK lead the standings with 8 points, followed by PAOK in second place with 7 points. Panathinaikos are in 3rd spot with 4 points and Olympiakos Volos just a point behind in 4th with 3 points. All the clubs are still in contention for 1st place in the group which will give one team a spot in the next season Champions’ League qualifiers.
Here are mini previews for the final three matchdays of the Greek Super League playoffs.
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.
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.
AEK were dealt heavy defeats by Olympiakos Volos during the regular season and only eked out a victory over the season’s surprise package during the first match of the playoffs. Even if they go into this match at the top of the table, Jimenez and his players will be wary of the difficulty of facing Volos on their own turf.
Though Volos were not expected to do much during the playoffs, the club have battled well in every match thus far and produced a good display to defeat Panathinaikos this past weekend. If they can get points in their final home match against AEK, they may have a shot of finishing in 2nd or 3rd place.
This has the makings of a crucial match, with the result eliminating one team from contention a distinct possibility. PAOK were victorious over Panathinaikis during the first match of the playoffs 2-1, but Makis Chavos’ side have struggled on their trips to Athens as evidenced by the recent 3-0 defeat to AEK.
If Panathinaikos can find a way past Volos then another victory against PAOK could put them back on track in the playoffs. The final three matches are a giant opportunity for Panathinaikos because they will in essence be playing three home matches in a row, with the final match against AEK technically an away fixture, but to be played in the Olympic Stadium without supporters, the venue that the two teams share.
On the final matchday of the Greek Super League playoffs, PAOK have the easier task on paper as they host outsiders Olympiakos Volos. If the Thessaloniki side can be at the top or near the top once again going into the final match then they could have a legitimate shot of qualifying for the Champions’ League for the second consecutive season.
This is a match that could have the importance of cup final as potentially both side will go into this final fixture with a chance at claiming 1st place in the group. The two teams played out a 1-1 draw with each other on Matchday 2 and have already played one another on five occasions this season.
