SLGR Matchday 17 Preview: Bottom Of The Table Clash Tops

AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 17 of the 2018/19 Greek SuperLeague.

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The big match is absent once again as Matchday 17 of the 2018/19 Greek Super League begins on Saturday. Despite, the lack of derbies recently, there are still some big matches on tap for the weekend. Perhaps the most important takes place between the league’s bottom two sides in a relegation six-pointer, while leader PAOK are home to Panionios and second place Olympiacos travel north to meet up with PAS Giannina.

Below is a day-by-day breakdown of this weekend’s matches.

Saturday

PAS Giannina - Olympiacos

Apollon Smirnis - Levadiakos

PAOK - Panionios

The day starts with the matchup between hosts PAS Giannina and Olympiacos. Giannina, big 4-0 losers at home to AEK last week, look a shell of their former selves, fighting it out this season nearer the relegation end rather than their usual place in and around the European positions. Olympiacos know that they cannot afford any slip-ups if they are to stay within touching distance of PAOK. Pedro Martins side look much improved over the last two months, but with PAOK continuing to win they have been unable to close the gap at the top.

The AGONAsport Match of the Week is set for Rizopouli as home side Apollon Smirnis welcome Levadiakos. Apollon are dead last in the division on five points, while Levadiakos are slightly better off, a place and three points above them. Both teams will see this as a must win, but this is especially true for Apollon, who are slowly losing touch with safety. It should be a tight affair with the winner seeing their hopes of avoiding the drop receive a big boost.

League leaders PAOK feature in the day’s late kick-off. Razvan Lucescu’s men face off against Panionios. Still undefeated in the league and with an eight-point lead over rivals Olympiacos, PAOK certainly look serious about winning the title. Last weekend, the team managed a big victory away to Asteras Tripolis. Panionios have had a below par season by their standards, but they are a team that can be dangerous on their day.

Sunday

OFI - Panetolikos

Larisa - Aris

Xanthi - Atromitos

AEK - Asteras Tripolis

Sunday features four matches, beginning in Crete with OFI and Panetolikos meeting up. OFI’s main goal this season is survival and a victory this weekend would take them out of the relegation zone. Panetolikos, impressive again in last weekend’s 2-2 draw at Atromitos, have enjoyed a fine stretch as of late. While they won’t be favored to challenge for Europe, Traianos Dellas’ side are certainly a team with an outside chance of a top five finish should they continue on their current path.

Larisa seem to pick up victories every time they look likely to be dragged into the relegation battle. Last season was another example as they reeled off a 3-0 over Apollon Smirnis to climb six points above the relegation spots. Aris will surely represent a stiffer test this weekend for the Vissini. The newly promoted club have proven their worth already and a European challenge does not appear beyond them.

Atromitos will look to bounce back from recent mediocre results when they make the long trip up to Xanthi. Atromitos are no longer in the title race it would appear, though a European berth seems almost a certainty. Xanthi meanwhile are in the midst of a rotten run of six games without a victory.

The final game on Sunday will be played at the Olympic Stadium as AEK host Asteras Tripolis. Defending champions AEK looked rejuvenated last week in a 4-0 thrashing of PAS Giannina. They will attempt to do the same to Asteras, a side who played a wonderful first half last week against PAOK only to concede three times in the second half en route to a 3-0 defeat.

Monday

Panathinaikos - Lamia

Monday’s lone match sees Panathinaikos and Lamia square off. Lamia are relegation candidates and would probably be happy picking up a point in this match. Injuries have slowed down Panathinaikos in recent matches as their form has taken a dip. Giorgos Donis will want his team to bounce back after conceding an equalizer at the death last week at home to Xanthi.

by George Tsitsonis

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