SLGR Matchday 5 Preview: Dikefalo Derby take center stage
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 5 of the 2019/20 Greek SuperLeague.
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After two pulsating derbies last weekend, Matchday 5 of the 2019/20 Greek Super League promises more fireworks as PAOK and AEK clash at the Olympic Stadium in Athens.
Elsewhere, Olympiacos are at home to Lamia, as are Aris versus Larisa while in Xanthi the home side welcome Volos in a match of two of the season’s surprise stories.
Here is a daily breakdown of the weekend fixtures:
Saturday
Aris - Larisa
Olympiacos - Lamia
Atromitos - Panetolikos
In Thessaloniki, Matchday 5 kicks off with the match between Aris and Larisa. Aris were perhaps unlucky not to come away with a victory against PAOK in last week’s derby between the two sides. Apostolos Terzis’ side conceded a late equalizer to deny them victory over their arch-rivals. They will be fancied to come out on top against Larisa, but they may need to be wary of a side that beat up on previously undefeated Xanthi last week 3-0.
The middle fixtures of the Saturday matches sees Atromitos host Panetolikos. Both sides are in desperate need of points after terrible starts to the season. Atromitos supporters voiced their displeasure after the defeat to Asteras Tripolis last weekend. Manager Giannis Anastasiou already looks under pressure after just four matches. Panetolikos need a spark to get off the ground at the moment. The Agrinio club are the only team in the league to not have recorded a point yet (Panionios are currently at -3 points in the table, but they have won once).
The day’s late kick-off occurs in Piraeus as Olympiacos welcome Lamia to the Karaiskakis Stadium. There was disappointment all around for Pedro Martins and company after last week’s draw away to Panathinaikos. Now, Olympiacos must avoid complacency and not switch gears to their midweek Champions’ League encounter with Red Star. Like Olympiacos, Lamia themselves were also denied a victory due to an injury-time goal last weekend as Bachana Arabuli’s goal for Panionios saw that game finish in a 1-1 draw.
Sunday
OFI - Asteras Tripolis
Xanthi - Volos
Panionios - Panathinaikos
AEK - PAOK
Sunday’s quartet of matches begins in Crete as OFI take on Asteras Tripolis. OFI came up short away to Volos last week, losing 1-0. However, it has still been a positive start for the club, currently in sixth place on seven points. Asteras have not begun the season well for yet another season, but they may have gained some momentum with last weekend’s home victory over Atromitos.
In Xanthi, the home side lock horns with Volos in a match pitting the season’s two surprise sides. Both clubs are on nine points after promising starts. Xanthi are looking to rebound after Larisa knocked them back down to earth last weekend. Volos have shown they will be tough to defeat at home, but will need to grab points away if they want to remain in the upper positions of the table.
Panathinaikos restored some pride and calm after coming away with a draw against Olympiacos last weekend. They now make the short trip to Nea Smyrni to play Panionios. Despite, the confidence boost of the point gained last weekend, this remains the worst-ever start to a domestic campaign for the Prasini. The pressure remains on Giorgos Donis and that may only change with a win this weekend. Panionios have picked up a respectable four points thus far. They remain at the foot of the table due to a six-point deduction to start the season.
The AGONAsport Match of the Week is Sunday’s late kick-off between AEK and PAOK at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. The meeting of the Super League’s last two champions should be a lively one. PAOK have not been super convincing yet this season, but top the table, level on ten points, with Olympiacos. After holding on to manager Abel Ferreira following reports of serious interest from Sporting Lisbon, PAOK will seek to build on their decent start to the season. The defending champs dropped points for the first time after drawing at home with Aris. Still, even in that match, PAOK showed their winning mentality by coming back from a late goal to nab a draw in injury-time.
AEK appear to have recovered from their poor start to the season. Nikos Kostenoglou’s appointment has steadied the ship and the Kitrinomavri came away with a hard-fought win at Panetolikos last weekend. With Marko Livaja in imperious form and the improved atmosphere within the camp, AEK do look rejuvenated and will undoubtedly provide stern opposition for PAOK. With some ill-tempered matches between the two teams over the years, this ‘Derby tou Dikefalon’ is one derby that should not be lacking in passion.
