SLGR Matchday 9 Preview: Super Saturday Sees Top Two Collide And Athens Derby

AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 9 of the 2018/19 Greek SuperLeague.

Watch LIVE from AGONAsport: Panathinaikos - AEK, Greek SuperLeague matchday 9 derby on Saturday, November 3rd. Details here.

Matchday 9 of the 2018/19 Greek Super League brings with a series of high-profile match-ups. In Greek football’s version of a Super Saturday, leaders PAOK and second-placed Atromitos open the day and later on an Athens derby is also on the cards as Panathinaikos host AEK. On Sunday, Aris and Olympiacos face off in Thessaloniki in a weekend with other key matches at the bottom part of the table.

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

Saturday

Atromitos - PAOK

Panionios - Panetolikos

Panathinaikos - AEK

Levadiakos - Larisa

It could be certainly be branded as Super Saturday in Greece as four matches are on the slate with two of those easily classified as must-see. The day begins in Peristeri with a top of the table clash pitting PAOK at Atromitos. PAOK’s 2-0 win over Panathinaikos coupled with Atromitos’ draw away to Panionios last weekend saw the Thessaloniki club take sole control of first place in the standings. A victory could see Atromitos leapfrog PAOK atop the table, though a PAOK win could certainly be vital as far as some breathing space in the title race.

The AGONAsport Match of the Week is the Athens derby between Panathinaikos and AEK. Though AEK are the visiting side, it won’t feel as such an away game for Marinos Ouzounidis and his players as it will take place at the Olympic Stadium in Athens, the ground that both clubs are sharing this season. Panathinaikos’ youth movement has won many plaudits this season and despite losing last week for the first time this season, there is a positivity surrounding the club. AEK meanwhile, are six points off the pace at the moment due to a points deduction, but have shown in recent weeks that they are in very good form.

Saturday’s two other matches see Panionios and Panetolikos meet up in Nea Smyrni in a midtable clash while Levadiakos and Larisa also play in a match that will have implications in and around the relegation zone.

Sunday

PAS Giannina - Lamia

Aris - Olympiacos

OFI - Apollon Smirnis

A trio of matches are set for Sunday. And while the main event this weekend seems to be on Saturday, the Sunday games will have their own interest. The biggest match of the day takes place at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium where Aris welcome Olympiacos. Aris slumped to a 4-0 defeat away to AEK last weekend in another indication that they struggle mightily on the road. At home though they are a different proposition and Olympiacos should be weary of the threat that the promoted side poses in their home surroundings. Olympiacos labored to a 1-0 win last weekend over Apollon Smirnis needing a late goal to spare their blushes against the league’s worst side.

Apollon will be hoping that this is finally the weekend where they pick up their first point(s) of the season. They will have to do so in Crete against OFI, never an easy trip for any side. OFI are undefeated in their last two fixtures, a home win against Olympiacos and an away draw last week against Larisa. A victory over Apollon would represent their first real string of positive results since their promotion.

The day begins in Giannina as home side PAS host Lamia. Giannina have suffered a poor start to the season and are desperate for victory to bring them back toward midtable. Lamia on the other hand have started well considering their status as relegation favorites. They currently occupy 9th place, but are still only three points from the relegation places.

Monday

Asteras Tripolis - Xanthi

Monday’s lone match sees two sides experiencing contrasting seasons playing one another. Struggling Asteras Tripolis hope that home comforts can help kickstart their campaign as they host Xanthi. A comeback win last weekend saw Xanthi defeat PAS Giannina 2-1 and climb up to fifth place in the standings. Asteras, currently 14th in the league, looked to be heading toward another defeat, but an injury-time goal saw them take a point away to Panetolikos. Supporters of the Tripoli club will be banking on that late strike as being the moment their season changes for the better.

by George Tsitsonis

Image Source: .gr

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