SLGR Matchday 24 Preview: In-form AEK face test in Thessaloniki versus Aris

AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 24 of the 2019/20 Greek SuperLeague.

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League leaders Olympiacos play bottom side Panionios this weekend while defending champions PAOK have a seemingly trickier match-up away to Larisa in Matchday 24 action of the 2019/20 Greek Super League 1. 

There are several other matches of interest this weekend with several sides still in the running for a spot in the playoffs. The standout fixture of the round is undoubtedly set to take place at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium in Thessaloniki on Sunday evening as Aris and AEK are set to square off.

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

Saturday

Larisa-PAOK

Olympiacos-Panionios

The weekend begins on Saturday with two matches involving the league leaders. First off, PAOK make the trip south to face off against Larisa. PAOK will have been buoyed by their recent results including a 4-0 thrashing of OFI last week and a 3-0 aggregate win over Panathinaikos this week to advance to the Greek Cup semi-finals. Abel Ferreira’s team will attempt to win out their last three matches and hope Olympiacos stumble so they can head into the playoffs in first place. Larisa meanwhile will be anything but indifferent despite being seven places and nearly thirty points behind PAOK in the table. The Vissini remain just two points off the final playoff place and a victory at home against the defending champions could prove vital. 

It’s first versus worst in the day’s late kick-off as league leaders Olympiacos host bottom side Panionios. The visitors look doomed as far as relegation goes. Despite having the upcoming playoffs remaining to try and work a miracle, Panionios desperately need to make up some ground in these final regular season matches. Olympiacos must be careful not to overlook this match especially in light of the fact that they face a couple of crucial games against Arsenal and PAOK in the next ten days.  

Sunday

Panathinaikos-Panetolikos

Xanthi-Lamia

Volos-Asteras Tripolis

Aris-AEK

Four matches are on tap for Sunday with the derby between Aris and AEK the clear highlight. The AGONAsport Match of the Week promises to be an intriguing match. Both teams are currently playoff bound with AEK having locked up third place and Aris the clear favorites for fifth.

However, both sides still have something to prove. AEK come into the match in inspired form having won nine of their last eleven matches. The arrival of Italian manager Massimo Carrera has provided the club with a boost and last week’s 1-0 derby win over Panathinaikos was further evidence of the team’s growing confidence. In contrast, Aris’ form has been patchy. Michael Oenning’s men began 2020 with a thrilling victory over PAOK, but have since blown hot and cold. In the last few weeks, the Thessaloniki side have dropped points to the likes of Larisa, Panetolikos, and most recently Asteras Tripolis. Heading into the playoffs the story remains the same, this is a club that needs to find consistency.

Elsewhere on Sunday, Panathinaikos are back at home to take on Panetolikos. The Prasini have cooled off considerably after going on a five-match winning run. Defeats to AEK in the league last week and PAOK in the Greek Cup on Wednesday have dampened the mood of supporters once again. A win against Panetolikos would get the team back on track. That will be the only expectation against a side with a paltry two wins all season. 

The remaining pair of matches could have serious playoff implications. Xanthi-Lamia and Volos-Asteras Tripolis are two games featuring teams ranked between seventh and twelfth in the standings. And all of those teams are at least within three points of sixth place, the final playoff position for the championship playoffs. Should OFI falter in their match on Monday, Xanthi could take the outright lead for sixth with a victory against Lamia. Meanwhile, both Volos and Asteras Tripolis need a win to stay in contention going into the last two rounds.

Monday

OFI-Atromitos

Monday’s lone fixture is another match with interest in the battle for sixth place. OFI welcome Atromitos in a meeting of two teams in the midst of terrible runs. OFI are hanging onto the final playoff spot for dear life as they have won just once in their last nine games. Their opponents on Monday, Atromitos, are not in much better form with four straight defeats and without a win for over a month. 

Image Source: .gr

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