SLGR Matchday 12 Preview: PAOK And Atromitos In Away Tests; Oly At Home; Aris-PAO
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 12 of the 2018/19 Greek SuperLeague.
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Matchday 12 of the 2018/19 Greek Super League is set for this weekend. The highlighted fixture has to be Aris playing host to Panathinaikos on Sunday evening. There are some other key matches on tap though with AEK and Atromitos looking to rebound after defeats last week and PAOK and Olympiacos playing on Monday hoping to change the gap in the title race.
Below is a day-by-day breakdown of this weekend’s matches.
Saturday
Larisa - Panionios
Apollon Smirnis - Atromitos
PAS Giannina - OFI
The weekend kicks off in Larisa as they welcome the visit of Panionios. Panionios won again last weekend as they continue their ascent up the standings. Larisa tasted defeat again and are currently 11th, but nowhere near safe with regard to being dragged into the relegation battle.
Apollon Smirnis are still in search of their first win and will hope to spring a shock at home against wounded Atromitos. An injury-time goal by Olympiacos last week condemned the Peristeri side to their first defeat of the season. They are now five points adrift of leaders PAOK and will be aiming to get back on track this weekend.
Saturday’s late kick-off features PAS Giannina playing OFI. PAS have had a poor start to the season, though there will be hope after last weekend’s 2-0 victory over Levadiakos. At home in the Zosimades Stadium for a second consecutive match, Giannis Petrakis’ side will go for two wins in a row against an OFI team who conceded twice in injury time to lose to Aris 2-1 in their last match.
Sunday
Levadiakos - Asteras Tripolis
Aris - Panathinaikos
AEK - Xanthi
Sunday’s trio of matches begins with a relegation zone tussle. Asteras Tripolis travel to take on Levadiakos. Asteras won last week to leapfrog Levadiakos into 13th. With three teams being directly relegated this season and a fourth team playing a relegation play-off, matches like these will be important, even at this relatively early stage of the season.
The AGONAsport Match of the Week takes place on Sunday night with Aris and Panathinaikos set to meet at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium in Thessaloniki. This is a meeting of the season’s surprise teams. While both can boast big names in Greek football, each entered the season with plenty of question marks. Aris were back in the top-flight after time in the Football League, while Panathinaikos’ economic issues made it uncertain as to how competitive they would be. Eleven matches in and its clear that both teams have impressed as they each have amassed 18 points (Panathinaikos have taken 24 points, but have a six-point deduction). Needless to say, it has all the makings of a cracking tie in Thessaloniki.
AEK’s recent form is a major concern for fans and they will try to return to winning ways on Sunday against Xanthi. The Kitrinomavri have struggled to start the season, both on the domestic and European fronts, and all does not appear well in the dressing room. Xanthi could be an awkward opponent for Marinos Ouzounidis’ team, though after four straight victories they have now lost twice in a row.
Monday
Lamia - PAOK
Olympiacos - Panetolikos
There will be a good deal of interest in Monday’s Super League doubleheader, especially with regard to the title race. Leaders PAOK look to keep rolling with a win away to Lamia. It has been an explosive start for PAOK to begin the season. They do not look like stopping though Lamia have acquitted themselves well to begin the campaign and may not be the pushovers some would suggest.
Olympiacos and Panetolikos will meet in Piraeus, both sides coming off impressive wins in week 11. Olympiacos ended Atromitos’ unbeaten run with a 2-1 comeback victory away from home. Panetolikos conquered AEK 2-1 and showed glimpses of a team who should be higher up the table than they are.
