SLGR Matchday 1 Preview: Big Guns Begin At Home
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 1 of the 2018/19 Greek SuperLeague.
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The 2018/19 Greek Super League season kicks off this weekend with Matchday 1 action. Topping the storylines heading into the new campaign is the promise of an intriguing title race. Defending champions AEK will aim to win consecutive titles since winning three in a row in the early 1990’s. PAOK are the club many observers are picking as the favorites for the championship this season after coming up short last year. Olympiacos, who finished a disappointing third in 2017/18, are also in the mix as they attempt to climb back up the Greek football mountain.
Elsewhere, all eyes will be on Panathinaikos and their ability to overcome severe financial problems and remain a top team in the Super League. Atromitos, so impressive last season, will try once again to go toe-to-toe with the big clubs with a European place their goal. Panionios have made some promising signings and they too appear prepared to push on for Europe.
Will a team like settled Panetolikos be this season’s surprise package? Or will teams with a history of playing in Europe such as Asteras Tripolis, Xanthi, and PAS Giannina be the ones that are more likely to claim a top five finish?
Levadiakos, Lamia, Larisa, and Apollon Smyrnis have all made massive changes to their rosters this summer. It remains to be seen whether they will be fighting against the drop or challenging in the top half.
Finally, this season marks the return to the top-flight of two of the country’s most historic clubs. Aris and OFI are back and their presence surely adds a little more interest to the league in Thessaloniki and Crete respectively.
Here is a day-by-day breakdown of Matchday 1 play:
SATURDAY
Panetolikos - Atromitos
PAOK - Asteras Tripolis
Apollon Smyrni - Larisa
AEK - PAS Giannina
Two matches with simultaneous kick-offs start the 2018/19 Super League campaign. In Agrinio, a close contest is expected as home side Panetolikos open up against last season’s Cinderella side Atromitos.
Some 250 miles to the northeast at the same time, PAOK begin their quest for an elusive title when they play host to Asteras Tripolis in the AGONAsport Match of the Week. The Thessaloniki giants have not won a league championship since 1985, but many have tipped Razvan Lucescu’s team to end their title drought this season. Asteras will be no pushovers having finished fifth last season earning the team a spot in the Europa League qualifiers.
Two matches with later evening starts close out Saturday’s slate of fixtures. Defending champions AEK begin their title defense at the Olympic Stadium in Athens against PAS Giannina in the. With a potential spot in the Champions’ League Group Stage very close (the Kitrinomavri take a 2-1 lead against VidI back home next week for the second leg of their Champions’ League Playoff encounter), Marinos Ouzounidis’ men will have their work cut out for themselves as they battle on multiple fronts.
Two teams tipped to be battling toward the bottom of the table also meet on Saturday. Apollon Smyrnis and Larisa found safety relatively comfortably last season and will hope to go one better in the new campaign.
SUNDAY
Panionios - OFI
Xanthi - Panathinaikos
Olympiacos - Levadiakos
A trio of matches are set for Sunday. The day begins with an attractive encounter in Nea Smyrni as a bolstered Panionios side takes on OFI in the Crete side’s return to the top division. Panathinaikos then travel to Xanthi in a tricky start to their season. The Giorgos Donis era begins for the Prasini who would do well to pick up an opening day win at Xanthi’s traditionally difficult ground.
Olympiacos will expect nothing less than the three points on Matchday 1 when they welcome Levadiakos to the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium. Manager Pedro Martins will take his seat for the first time in a domestic game after beginning his Olympiacos career with Europa League qualifiers.
MONDAY
Lamia - Aris
Finally, the weekend schedule concludes with Monday’s sole match pitting Lamia against Aris. Lamia did well to avoid the drop in their first-ever top-flight season. Aris meanwhile have returned to the Super League and will be eager to get off to a good start.
