SLGR Matchday 11 Preview: PAOK Host Xanthi; Atromitos And Olympiacos Square Off
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 11 of the 2018/19 Greek SuperLeague.
Watch LIVE GREEK TV including full GREEK SPORTS coverage from AGONASport.com!
The 2018/19 Greek Super League returns after the final international break of 2018. Matchday 11 begins of a streak of five consecutive weeks of matches before a two-week winter break. League leaders PAOK will be tested by the visit of Xanthi, while Atromitos and Olympiacos could be the highlight of the weekend program. Elsewhere, AEK are away to Panetolikos and Panathinaikos return home to take on Apollon Smirnis.
Below is a day-by-day breakdown of this weekend’s matches.
Saturday
Panathinaikos - Apollon Smirnis
Asteras Tripolis - Larisa
Panetolikos - AEK
PAOK - Xanthi
Saturday sees four matches on tap with Panathinaikos opening the day at home to Apollon Smirnis. Though Apollon are dead last in the standings and still winless on the season, recent displays have been much improved. Panathinaikos have dropped a few points in recent matches, but still remain positive as to how their season has unfolded.
AEK are in action on Saturday night with a difficult trip to Agrinio to face off against Panetolikos. The jury is still out on Panetolikos, a club who often appear ready to rise up the table, but who seem to drop points much too often. AEK know they must go on a streak and do so quickly as they are now nine points off the pace.
PAOK welcome fellow northern Greek side Xanthi to the Toumba Stadium in Saturday’s late kick-off. Winners of nine of their first ten matches this season, Razvan Lucescu’s team are the clear favorites at this stage to win their first league title since 1985. Xanthi could be an awkward opponent though and were winners of four straight before a setback to Panionios in their last match.
Also, on Saturday, struggling Asteras Tripolis host Larisa. In order to turn around their early season struggles, Asteras have turned to the experienced veteran manager Georgios Paraschos. Whether Paraschos can get the team firing and out of the relegation zone remains to be seen. Larisa are in better shape, however they too haven’t lit the world on fire thus far.
Sunday
PAS Giannina - Levadiakos
Atromitos - Olympiacos
OFI - Aris
The AGONAsport Match of the Week takes place on Sunday as undefeated Atromitos host Olympiacos in Peristeri. Atromitos, currently second in the table, have been in fine form and are just two points behind PAOK at the top.Olympiacos meanwhile have put forth some quality showings, but have failed to get results in some key matches. The Piraeus side cannot afford to lose any more ground on PAOK, they currently sit six points behind the leaders.
The two remaining fixtures take place either side of that key match. The day opens up with PAS Giannina and Levadiakos in what is essentially a battle between teams fighting in the relegation places.
The late kick-off takes place in Crete as the two promoted sides, OFI and Aris, meet up. Aris have been the more successful of the two teams thus far as they sit in seventh place as compared to OFI who are 13th. The match will be the debut of new Aris manager Savvas Pantelidis.
Monday
Panionios - Lamia
Monday’s sole game will be held in Nea Smyrni as home team Panionios are set to play Lamia. Panionios have started to quietly climb up the standings after a slow start. Lamia have also been picking up points meaning they are a surprising tenth place at this stage.
