SLGR Matchday 1 Playoff/Playout Preview: Football returns with Super Sunday and double derby delight

AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 1 of the 2019/20 Greek SuperLeague Playoff/Playout campaign.

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This is the weekend that Greek football finally returns. After nearly three months of inactivity due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Super League playoffs and playouts, originally scheduled to start in May will commence. It may seem like an eternity ago, but the 2019/20 campaign is finally set to finish in Greece barring any unforeseen circumstances.  

The Super League has decided to forge on to complete the seasons even as other leagues around Europe including countries such as France, the Netherlands, and Scotland have put an end to their respective seasons. Germany has shown though that football can go on even without fans. It may not be the way we want to see the sport, in empty stadiums, but for the time being there will be an excitement that the beautiful game is back in Greece. 

Saturday’s matches begin ten rounds of playoff and playout matches that are set to determine the league champion, European qualifiers, and relegated sides from the current season.

Below is a day-by-day breakdown of the weekend fixtures:

Saturday

Panionios - Volos

Aris - OFI

It is in Nea Smyrni where football comes back in Greece as Panionios play host to Volos in the first game to be played since the coronavirus disruption. And the hosts will have a lot riding on this encounter. Panionios absolutely need to pick up some points right off the bat in the playouts as they are currently in last place, seven points from safety. Volos is one of a handful of sides essentially playing for league placing as they appear to be safe from relegation. 

Saturday’s late kick-off will see the first match of the playoffs take place. Aris and OFI square off in a battle of European hopefuls at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium in Thessaloniki. One of the top six sides will likely miss out on European play next season and with both sides locked on 34 points in fifth place this match already has a crucial feel to it. 

Sunday

Larisa - Asteras Tripolis

Xanthi - Atromitos

PAOK - Olympiacos 

AEK - Panathinaikos

Sunday represents the first real blockbuster action of the playoffs with two big derbies on tap. The AGONAsport Match of the Week is none other than the PAOK versus Olympiacos match-up in Thessaloniki. Olympiacos appear to have a massive advantage in the title race as they lead their rivals from the north by fourteen points. If PAOK are to have any chance of retaining their title they will undoubtedly have to take this game at home. 

An Athens derby is also on schedule on Sunday as AEK are the hosts versus Panathinaikos in the venue both clubs use, the Olympic Stadium. AEK have it all to play for with regard to second place and a potential spot in next season’s Champions’ League qualifiers. The Kitrinomavri trail PAOK in second place by just a single point. Panathinaikos meanwhile will still harbor hopes of second place, but they would have to somehow claw back an eight-point deficit meaning that fourth still looks like their most likely finish unless they go on a terrific run in the playoffs. 

Another side looking to begin the playouts with a victory is Xanthi who host Atromitos on Sunday evening. The match was originally scheduled for Saturday, but due to a spate of new coronovirus cases in the area, it has now been pushed back until Sunday (there remains a chance that the game will be postponed until Tuesday). The hosts are looking to avoid relegation or at least 13th place which would mean a playoff against the second placed side from the Super League 2. Atromitos will have a relatively pressure-free time in the playouts as far as expectations go. After just missing out on the playoffs, the only real goal they will have is to finish in seventh and top of the playout table. 

Sunday’s remaining fixture is the early kick-off in Larisa where the home side will be pitted against Asteras Tripolis. With both teams on 30 points and in a tie for eighth place without a serious fear of relegation, this has all the makings of an open encounter. 

Monday

Lamia - Panetolikos

The first round of post-season matches will be completed on Monday night as Panetolikos make the 100-mile trip northwest to take on Lamia. Ten points clear from the relegation places, Lamia seem to be safe barring a big collapse over the last ten games. Panetolikos meanwhile are in a real battle between themselves, Xanthi, and Panionios to avoid the drop. Victory in Lamia could be the first step toward staying in the top-flight next season. 

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