Olympiakos have the chance to clinch the league title this weekend when they travel to face PAOK in Thessaloniki.
With a giant 13-point lead, it appears only a matter of time before Ernesto Valverde’s side win the title. They can claim their 38th league title with a victory against PAOK in Thessaloniki in Sunday’s late fixture. Panathinaikos’ flickering title hopes can remain intact for a day at least if they are able to overcome Iraklis on Saturday.
This week allegations of match-fixing involving several officials from various clubs in Greece have been brought forth by Greek lawyer Alexis Kouyias, casting a shadow over the latter stages of the Super League season.
With five matches remaining, the races for Europe and the relegation battle are of most interest now. AEK and Kavala meet up on Sunday as 3rd place meets 4th in a match with serious playoff implications. Olympiakos Volos will look to take advantage of any slip-up by those sides when they travel to Asteras Tripolis, themselves looking for the points to lead them to safety.
In the match that could seal either team’s relegation fate, Panionios and Larisa battle it out at the Nea Smyrni Stadium, with a Larisa defeat probably condemning that side to the drop. Elsewhere, Ergotelis host troubled Atromitos while Panserraikos-Xanthi and Kerkyra-Aris feature matches with little to play for with regard to the standings.
In Serres, Panserraikos and Xanthi meet up in a match with little bearing on the league table. Panserraikos still have mathematical hopes of staying in the division, however they would most likely need to win their remaining matches and rely on other results and even then it could be a longshot.
Xanthi meanwhile could yet reach the playoffs with a superb finish to the season, though the club probably will have to be content with a midtable place.
The atmosphere should be hot in Tripoli as home side Asteras host Olympiakos Volos. Asteras are currently in the drop zone, three points from safety and this is a massive match in regards to their bid for survival in the top-flight. One of the reasons they find themselves in such a precarious position is their poor home form where they have won only one match all season.
Olympiakos Volos meanwhile are having a season to remember, not only do they have a chance to make it to the Greek Cup final, the club currently occupy 5th place in the league, the last playoff spot. The team’s away form has been fantastic all season, losing only twice on their travels and they will expect the three points this weekend.
Panathinaikos’s season has taken a turn for the worse in the last few weeks as they club could only force a draw with Atromitos and then tasted defeat at Larisa. The title no longer appears a viable goal and thus Jesualdo Ferreira’s side must content themselves with second place and a playoff berth.
Iraklis’ recent good form, including their derby win over Aris last weekend has given the side renewed hope of making a late run at the playoffs. A victory over Panathinaikos could give this team even more momentum as the once relegation battlers are now ending the season in fine fashion.
Panionios have a chance to all but lock up their status in the Super League with a win over Larisa in Sunday’s early afternoon match. Takis Lemonis has engineered a wonderful revival in the second half of the club’s season and now they are favorites to beat the drop. It won’t be easy this weekend though against a Larisa side in dire need of points.
Larisa at least ensured they come to Athens to play for something this weekend with last week’s 2-0 win over Panathinaikos, which was the team’s best result of the season. There is still much work to do however and even a win against Panionios won’t be enough, though it could give the club a giant boost heading into the rest of their difficult schedule.
Ergotelis were likely playoff contenders just a few weeks back, however Nikos Karageorgiou’s team have collapsed under the pressure, losing three consecutive matches, albeit to big clubs such as Olympiakos, AEK, and PAOK. Now, seven points out of the last playoff position, it looks too late for the club to mount a serious charge toward 5th place.
Atromitos didn’t seem to be in danger of relegation a few weeks, but like Ergotelis they have suffered a loss of form and now are in danger. Giorgos Donis’ team have gone six matches without a win and now find themselves in big trouble at the wrong end of the table. Some have blamed the distraction of the team’s run in the Greek Cup as the main problem. Either way, Atromitos need to grab points in these last five matches to ensure safety.
AEK have rebounded tremendously in their last two outings, racking up big wins against Ergotelis (3-2) and PAOK 4-0. The team have been streaky all season, but now the hope is that AEK can finish the campaign strongly. Manolo Jimenez is rumored to be leaving at the end of the season, but the notion is that if the club can do well in the playoffs and win the Greek Cup then the Spaniard may stay.
AEK will be wise not to underestimate their opponents this weekend as Kavala come to the Olympic Stadium. Kavala have their eyes firmly planted on a European spot and are showing the form of a team that deserves a playoff spot. This match represents a giant test of their European credentials and a win could propel this team to an unlikely 3rd place finish.
In Corfu, Kerkyra look to take advantage of struggling Aris. The home side are in a relatively comfortable position though they haven’t quite yet achieved safety. A victory or two will almost guarantee them a place in next season’s Super League.
Aris meanwhile have suffered through a poor domestic campaign after impressing with their Europa League displays. The good news for club supporters is that Sakis Tsiolis has agreed to take over the club. Tsiolis, who so impressively led Olympiakos Volos this season, is widely seen as the ideal replacement for the departed Hector Cuper.
Normally this is a match with a boiling hot atmosphere, however this PAOK-Olympiakos derby may be slightly more subdued in nature on Sunday. The reason for this is that the title race is all but over, Olympiakos needing three points to clinch the championship. PAOK, on the other, hand, will certainly want to win against their rivals and keep pace in the playoff hunt, however there might be thoughts of the massive Greek Cup semifinal second leg match against AEK coming up this week.
PAOK really do need the points however as recent results have distanced the club from the top five and now Makis Chavos’ side have a real job on their hands to claim a spot in Europe for next season. Olympiakos boss Ernesto Valverde has warned his side not to overlook this match and that the team’s mission is not yet finished.
This week allegations of match-fixing involving several officials from various clubs in Greece have been brought forth by Greek lawyer Alexis Kouyias, casting a shadow over the latter stages of the Super League season.
With five matches remaining, the races for Europe and the relegation battle are of most interest now. AEK and Kavala meet up on Sunday as 3rd place meets 4th in a match with serious playoff implications. Olympiakos Volos will look to take advantage of any slip-up by those sides when they travel to Asteras Tripolis, themselves looking for the points to lead them to safety.
In the match that could seal either team’s relegation fate, Panionios and Larisa battle it out at the Nea Smyrni Stadium, with a Larisa defeat probably condemning that side to the drop. Elsewhere, Ergotelis host troubled Atromitos while Panserraikos-Xanthi and Kerkyra-Aris feature matches with little to play for with regard to the standings.
In Serres, Panserraikos and Xanthi meet up in a match with little bearing on the league table. Panserraikos still have mathematical hopes of staying in the division, however they would most likely need to win their remaining matches and rely on other results and even then it could be a longshot.
Xanthi meanwhile could yet reach the playoffs with a superb finish to the season, though the club probably will have to be content with a midtable place.
The atmosphere should be hot in Tripoli as home side Asteras host Olympiakos Volos. Asteras are currently in the drop zone, three points from safety and this is a massive match in regards to their bid for survival in the top-flight. One of the reasons they find themselves in such a precarious position is their poor home form where they have won only one match all season.
Olympiakos Volos meanwhile are having a season to remember, not only do they have a chance to make it to the Greek Cup final, the club currently occupy 5th place in the league, the last playoff spot. The team’s away form has been fantastic all season, losing only twice on their travels and they will expect the three points this weekend.
Panathinaikos’s season has taken a turn for the worse in the last few weeks as they club could only force a draw with Atromitos and then tasted defeat at Larisa. The title no longer appears a viable goal and thus Jesualdo Ferreira’s side must content themselves with second place and a playoff berth.
Iraklis’ recent good form, including their derby win over Aris last weekend has given the side renewed hope of making a late run at the playoffs. A victory over Panathinaikos could give this team even more momentum as the once relegation battlers are now ending the season in fine fashion.
Panionios have a chance to all but lock up their status in the Super League with a win over Larisa in Sunday’s early afternoon match. Takis Lemonis has engineered a wonderful revival in the second half of the club’s season and now they are favorites to beat the drop. It won’t be easy this weekend though against a Larisa side in dire need of points.
Larisa at least ensured they come to Athens to play for something this weekend with last week’s 2-0 win over Panathinaikos, which was the team’s best result of the season. There is still much work to do however and even a win against Panionios won’t be enough, though it could give the club a giant boost heading into the rest of their difficult schedule.
Ergotelis were likely playoff contenders just a few weeks back, however Nikos Karageorgiou’s team have collapsed under the pressure, losing three consecutive matches, albeit to big clubs such as Olympiakos, AEK, and PAOK. Now, seven points out of the last playoff position, it looks too late for the club to mount a serious charge toward 5th place.
Atromitos didn’t seem to be in danger of relegation a few weeks, but like Ergotelis they have suffered a loss of form and now are in danger. Giorgos Donis’ team have gone six matches without a win and now find themselves in big trouble at the wrong end of the table. Some have blamed the distraction of the team’s run in the Greek Cup as the main problem. Either way, Atromitos need to grab points in these last five matches to ensure safety.
AEK have rebounded tremendously in their last two outings, racking up big wins against Ergotelis (3-2) and PAOK 4-0. The team have been streaky all season, but now the hope is that AEK can finish the campaign strongly. Manolo Jimenez is rumored to be leaving at the end of the season, but the notion is that if the club can do well in the playoffs and win the Greek Cup then the Spaniard may stay.
AEK will be wise not to underestimate their opponents this weekend as Kavala come to the Olympic Stadium. Kavala have their eyes firmly planted on a European spot and are showing the form of a team that deserves a playoff spot. This match represents a giant test of their European credentials and a win could propel this team to an unlikely 3rd place finish.
In Corfu, Kerkyra look to take advantage of struggling Aris. The home side are in a relatively comfortable position though they haven’t quite yet achieved safety. A victory or two will almost guarantee them a place in next season’s Super League.
Aris meanwhile have suffered through a poor domestic campaign after impressing with their Europa League displays. The good news for club supporters is that Sakis Tsiolis has agreed to take over the club. Tsiolis, who so impressively led Olympiakos Volos this season, is widely seen as the ideal replacement for the departed Hector Cuper.
Normally this is a match with a boiling hot atmosphere, however this PAOK-Olympiakos derby may be slightly more subdued in nature on Sunday. The reason for this is that the title race is all but over, Olympiakos needing three points to clinch the championship. PAOK, on the other, hand, will certainly want to win against their rivals and keep pace in the playoff hunt, however there might be thoughts of the massive Greek Cup semifinal second leg match against AEK coming up this week.
PAOK really do need the points however as recent results have distanced the club from the top five and now Makis Chavos’ side have a real job on their hands to claim a spot in Europe for next season. Olympiakos boss Ernesto Valverde has warned his side not to overlook this match and that the team’s mission is not yet finished.
