Lots to play for in Football League finale

The 2018/19 Greek Football League season wraps up on Sunday with lots to play for in the fight for second and tenth place. AGONAsport takes a closer look.

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The Football League underwent a major shakeup on Friday as the Hellenic Football Federation’s (EPO) Primary Licensing Body handed out three-point deductions to eight clubs. Both Apollon Larissa and Iraklis were heavily affected by this development as they dropped in the league standings to third and eleventh, respectively, with just one match remaining.

The 2018/19 Football League season wraps up on Sunday and it will come down to the wire in the fight for second and tenth place. Platanias will now look to hold onto second place over closest contenders Apollon Larissa, while Iraklis will now need a mini-miracle to reclaim tenth place ahead of AE Karaiskakis.

With the restructuring of Greece’s domestic football leagues, the runner-up from this year’s Football League will compete with the Super League’s 13th placed team in a promotion/relegation playoff for a spot in next year’s first division. The Football League champion earned automatic promotion to the 2019/20 Super League.

The teams ranked 3rd-10th will compete in next year’s second division, the Super League 2, while teams ranked 11th and 12th will compete in next year’s Football League, the new third tier. This year’s bottom four clubs (13-16th) will drop two divisions to the Gamma Ethniki, the new fourth division.

Volos NFC secured the league crown a few weeks ago and are preparing for life in the top flight for the first time in club history, while Irodotos, Sparti, Aiginiakos, and Aittitos Spata (removed from the league) will finish in the bottom four and will be demoted two divisions.

FIGHT FOR SECOND

Platanias and Apollon Larissa will fight for second place in this year’s Football League. Platanias sit in second with 52 points with Apollon Larissa just behind with 51 points after being deducted three points on Friday.

On the final matchday, Platanias host Iraklis as Apollon Larissa travel to relegated Irodotos. If the two teams tie on points, Apollon Larissa hold the advantage over Platanias due to their better head-to-head record.

Platanias will claim second with: A win over Iraklis; A tie with Iraklis and an Apollon Larissa tie or loss to Irodotos; A loss to Iraklis and an Apollon Larissa loss to Irodotos.

Apollon Larissa will claim second with: A win over Irodotos and a Platanias tie or loss to Iraklis; A tie with Irodotos and a Platanias loss to Iraklis.

FIGHT FOR TENTH

AE Karaiskakis and Iraklis will fight for 10th place in this year’s Football League to avoid relegation to next year’s third division (the new Football League). AE Karaiskakis sit in 10th with 40 points with Iraklis just behind with 39 points after being deducted three points on Friday.

On the final matchday, AE Karaiskakis host indifferent Trikala as Iraklis travel to second-place seeking Platanias. If the two teams tie on points, AE Karaiskakis hold the advantage over Iraklis due to their better head-to-head record.

AE Karaiskakis will claim tenth with: A win over Trikala; A tie with Trikala and an Iraklis tie or loss to Platanias; A loss to Trikala and an Iraklis tie or loss to Irodotos.

Iraklis will claim tenth with: A win over Platanias and a Karaiskakis tie or loss to Trikala

By Sarantos Kaperonis

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