SLGR Matchday 7 Playoffs Preview: AEK attempt to hold on to second-place advantage
The Greek Super League 1 playoffs resume with a second midweek round of games. With Olympiacos having clinched the title, the focus is now on second place as well as the final European berth.
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Here is a brief breakdown of Wednesday’s trio of matches:
Aris - Olympiacos
PAOK -Panathinaikos
AEK - OFI
The day kicks off in Thessaloniki as hosts Aris prepare to take on Olympiacos. Aris have struggled for results in recent weeks and are trying to fight off OFI for the final European place. Michael Oenning’s men are coming off a heavy 4-1 home defeat to AEK at the weekend.
It won’t be any easier on Wednesday with the newly-crowned champions coming to town. However, Olympiacos manager Pedro Martins appears set to ring in the changes to his squad by leaving out a whole host of regulars. With Olympiacos’ only real motivation domestically being to finish the season undefeated, the Erythrolefki appear to be pivoting towards resting some of their big names as they prepare for their Europa League return match versus Wolves in the Round of 16 of that competition.
PAOK’s challenge for second place needs to get back on track with only four matches remaining in the playoffs. The Thessaloniki giants will host Panathinaikos on Wednesday knowing full well that the three points are a must at this stage. Abel Ferreira’s side are coming off a poor week where they suffered a home defeat to AEK while also dropping points in Crete versus OFI. Those results have left the club two points behind AEK in the battle for second place and a spot in the Champions’ League qualifiers.
Panathinaikos still have an outside shot of finishing third in the table, but are likely to remain fourth barring a wild swing. Giorgos Donis’ players are looking for only their second win of the playoffs.
The last match to kick off will be the encounter between AEK and OFI at the Olympic Stadium in Athens. AEK have picked up some real momentum over the last few weeks, specifically in their last two matches with key victories in Thessaloniki over PAOK and Aris. Those six points have put them back into the driver’s seat for second place.
OFI may be winless in the playoffs, however they have managed to stay close to Aris and have a shot at fifth place. Georgios Simos’ team will consider it a good night if they can manage to claim a point in Athens.
