SLGR Playoffs Matchday 9 Preview: Decisive Dikefaloi derby to determine second place

Two turns remain until the completion of the 2019/20 Greek Super League 1 playoffs. The champion has been decided as have, in large part, the Europa League positions. However, one big prize is still up for grabs and that is second place and the Champions’ League qualifier berth. 

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Here is a match-by-match breakdown of the penultimate round of the playoffs:

OFI - Olympiacos

Aris - Panathiaikos

AEK - PAOK

Two matches kick-off the midweek round simultaneously in Heraklion and Thessaloniki respectively. In Crete, OFI will be playing for pride when they take on champions-elect Olympiacos. OFI effectively lost out on a chance to play in Europe next season after losing to Aris at the weekend. That defeat may not have ended the club’s continental dreams mathematically, but they need two finish the playoffs with two victories and hope that Aris lose both their remaining matches. Olympiacos are looking ahead to the Greek Cup final and their Europa League match-up against Wolves in a few weeks’ time. There was real disappointment after Sunday’s loss to PAOK which ended hopes of finishing the season unbeaten. 

In Thessaloniki, Aris and Panathinaikos meet up with little to play for. Aris can clinch fifth place with a point. Panathinaikos are already guaranteed fourth place regardless of what happens in the final two matches. 

The AGONAsport Match of the Week may just be the match of the season as AEK and PAOK square off in a crucial encounter. The late game on Wednesday night at the Olympic Stadium in Athens will have the feel of a final as the two teams fight it out for second place. What a difference a week has made for PAOK. In the midst of poor form and looking down and out in the race for second, a successful appeal against a seven-point deduction brought Abel Ferreira’s side back from the brink. That was followed by a massive victory away to Olympiacos on Sunday and suddenly the Thessaloniki side are favorites again to clinch second place and a spot in the Champions’ League qualifiers.  

Despite having a four-point lead wiped away due to PAOK’s points being reinstated, AEK will feel they have what it takes to get the job done on Wednesday night. The Kitrinomavri have been extremely solid in the playoffs and their form is cause for optimism going into this match. Massimo Carrera has seemingly found the right mix in the postseason and will fancy his players to repeat their victory over PAOK in Thessaloniki from two weeks ago. Doing so would give AEK the tiebreaker they would need to claim second place should the teams finish level on points. 

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