SLGR Matchday 5 Playoff Preview: Dikefaloi battle in Thessaloniki in crucial match for second

Matchday 5 of the 2019/20 Greek Super League 1 Playoffs is set for Wednesday. The round will be the first postseason matchday to feature during midweek and will exclusively involve only playoff sides.

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With the title having been clinched by Olympiacos over the weekend, the focus now shifts to the battle for second place between PAOK and AEK. 

Here is a brief breakdown of the trio of matches on Wednesday:

Wednesday

PAO-Aris

PAOK-AEK

Olympiacos-OFI

The day begins in Athens as Panathinaikos and Aris face off at the Olympic Stadium. Both teams have had indifferent playoff campaigns thus far and each side seems resigned to their current position (Panathinaikos, 4th place with 47 points and Aris, 5th place, with 38 points). Aris were disappointing in a 2-0 home defeat to bitter rivals PAOK on Sunday while Panathinaikos also failed to impress in a below par display in Crete and a 0-0 draw versus OFI.

Things heat up however in the day’s second game. The AGONAsport Match of the Week is undoubtedly the Dikefalo derby in Toumba Stadium between PAOK and AEK. The two sides have developed an intense rivalry in recent years and while they won’t find themselves pitted against one another in the Greek Cup final, the two matches between the clubs in the playoffs will be of crucial importance. 

PAOK currently lead AEK by three points, 59 to 56, in the race for second place and the Champions’ League qualifying berth that goes with it. With Olympiacos having already claimed the title, the real interest in the remaining postseason matches will now be reserved for the relegation battle and PAOK and AEK’s attempts to finish second.

Finally, champions-elect Olympiacos may not have supporters to celebrate with, but the Karaiskakis Stadium will have a celebratory atmosphere when the Piraeus side host OFI. Olympiacos clinched their first league title in three seasons with Sunday’s 2-1 win over AEK. The only real motivation for the club to finish the playoffs is to see whether they can now end the season undefeated. OFI meanwhile are in desperate need of points if they are to have a chance to overtake Aris (the Thessaloniki side are currently three points ahead) for the final European berth. 

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