SLGR MATCHDAY 2 PLAYOFF/PLAYOUT PREVIEW: PAOK visit Panathinaikos in hopes of revival
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 2 of the 2019/20 Greek SuperLeague Playoff/Playout campaign.
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The Greek Super League playoffs and playouts continue this weekend with a full slate of fixtures. Last week saw the postponement of the Xanthi-Atromitos match due to a new spate of COVID-19 cases in the Xanthi area. Otherwise last weekend’s fixtures went off without a hitch and were highlighted by Olympiacos’ 1-0 win over PAOK and Panionios’ victory by the same score over Volos.
This weekend’s Matchday 2 schedule is highlighted by PAOK’s trip to Athens to play Panathinaikos. Olympiacos and Aris will lock horns in Piraeus while AEK go to Crete to play OFI in the playoffs. The playouts feature important matches in Volos, Tripoli, and Agrinio.
Here is a daily breakdown of the round:
Saturday
Volos - Xanthi
Atromitos - Lamia
Panathinaikos - PAOK
Matchday 2 of the Playoffs/Playouts begins on Saturday in Volos where the home side match up against Xanthi. Volos were left disappointed after a 1-0 away loss to Panionios to start their playout campaign. Xanthi meanwhile never played their first game of the postseason as their match versus Atromitos was postponed due to Coronavirus concerns in the city.
Atromitos will also line up for the first time in the playouts when they host Lamia in Saturday’s second match. Lamia began the playouts in solid fashion by defeating Panetolikos 2-0 last weekend.
All eyes on Saturday will be on the Olympic Stadium in Athens where an Athens-Thessaloniki derby is set when Panathinaikos and PAOK square off in the AGONAsport Match of the Week. PAOK’s defeat at home last weekend to Olympiacos essentially saw the defending champions concede the title to their bitter rivals. Now with a 17-point deficit it’s clear that o Dikefalos tou Vorra must concentrate on finishing second place (they are currently tied with AEK on 52 points). Panathinaikos meanwhile will feel as though they threw away a golden opportunity last weekend. After Federico Macheda’s 65th minute goal against AEK gave them a big advantage they went on to give up an equalizer, forcing them to settle for a draw. A victory would have pulled them to within five points of second place.
Sunday
OFI - AEK
Olympiacos-Aris
Sunday features two encounters in Crete and Piraeus. The early kick-off sees OFI play host to AEK. OFI began their Matchday 1 game away to Aris in superb fashion as they held a 1-0 lead until Aris scored three unanswered goals. The result was of huge importance as Aris took the advantage in the battle for the last European place. Meanwhile, AEK were able to claim a point in the derby versus Panathinaikos, but there was a somewhat deflated feeling after they could not fully capitalize on PAOK’s defeat. Victory in Crete would be a big boost especially if PAOK fail to defeat Panathinaikos.
In the nightcap, Olympiacos host Aris at the Karaiskakis Stadium. Pedro Martins’ men are flying high after the derby win over PAOK. Youssef El-Arabi’s goal sealed a massive win for the Erythrolefki which makes them now champions-in waiting. Aris also scooped up a valuable three points. Bruno Gama’s brace led the charge in a comeback win over OFI which saw the Thessaloniki club take over sole possession of fifth place.
Monday
Asteras Tripolis - Panionios
Panetolikos - Larisa
Two playout matches on Monday finish off the Matchday 2 schedule. Asteras Tripolis and Panionios, both coming off of wins last weekend, face off in Tripoli. Asteras took advantage of Atromitos not playing to defeat Larisa away and climb to the top of the playout table with 33 points. Sotiris Tsiloulis’ goal gave Panionios a crucial victory at home against Volos. The win brought the Kafneruthroi to within four points of safety.
Two of last weekend’s losing sides aim to get their first points in the playouts in Agrinio when Panetolikos host Larisa. Panetolikos’ loss to Lamia coupled with Panionios’ win has suddenly heaped lots of pressure on the side. Monday’s match has a must-win feel to it as Panetolikos want to avoid Panionios leapfrogging them in the standings. The mood surrounding Larisa is not the best. After taking the lead last weekend against Asteras Tripolis at home, the team gave up two goals within thirteen minutes eventually going down to a 2-1 loss.
