SLGR Standings: Olympiacos take advantage of PAOK defeat
SLGR Standings: Olympiacos take advantage of PAOK defeat
Olympiacos moved into first place of the Super League after PAOK conceded a defeat to Aris in the Thessaloniki Derby, while AEK began 2020 with a win and Volos NFC registered a vital victory at OFI.
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The 51-match winning streak is over. Previously undefeated since March 2018, reigning champions PAOK came unstuck at Aris, conceding a 4-2 loss at a rocking Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium. In the first half, Karol Swiderski did initially give PAOK the lead, but four consecutive goals from Daniel Larsson, Fran Velez, Lindsay Rose and Lucas Sasha ensured that Aris picked up a famous win against their bitter rivals. Aris, who are finally beginning to show their vast potential, are now in fourth position and trail third-placed AEK by six points.
A day later, Olympiacos took full advantage of PAOK’s slip-up, defeating eternal enemies Panathinaikos 1-0 inside an empty Karaiskakis Stadium. In truth, Panathinaikos matched Olympiacos for long periods in Piraeus, but after failing to use their opportunities, the Athenians were punished in the 73rd minute as Youssef El Arabi struck gold. Olympiacos hold a slender one-point advantage over PAOK in first place of the table.
In Athens, AEK were made to sweat against lowly Panetolikos, as Marko Livaja’s early penalty was cancelled out by Jorge Diaz. Nevertheless, AEK’s superiority did show in the second half, as Livaja grabbed his second in the 56th minute before Daniele Verde converted a penalty to seal a hard-fought 3-1 triumph. AEK are nine points behind PAOK, with the two Dikefaloi sides set to meet in Thessaloniki next week.
Fresh from drawing against Olympiacos on matchday 16, Volos earned an important 2-1 triumph at high-flying OFI on Saturday, a result which means that the 2018/2019 Football League winners occupy 11th spot with 21 points on the board. OFI, however, slip to fifth after Aris managed to defeat PAOK.
Elsewhere, Atromitos tallied their maiden win under the leadership of Savvas Pantelidis as they defeated Asteras Tripolis 2-1 in Peristeri, Lamia beat struggling Panionios 1-0 in Nea Smyrni and Xanthi sent AE Larissa down to 10th with a 2-1 victory at home.
Player of the Week: Marko Livaja (AEK)
The Croat was back to his best this weekend. In the opening set of 45 minutes, Livaja gave AEK the lead with a cooly taken penalty, before he then handed the hosts a 2-1 advantage in the second half with a powerful header. Livaja later won the spot-kick which Verde subsequently slotted home.
Goal of the Week: Youssef El Arabi (Olympiacos)
Escaping his marker inside the box, the Moroccan forward brilliantly connected with Mathieu Valbuena’s cross, thumping a fantastic volley beyond Sokratis Dioudis to break Panathinaikos’ stubborn resistance. El Arabi, one of the best transfers of summer 2019, is the leading Super League scorer with 10 goals to his name.
2019/2020 Super League regular season standings after 17 rounds.
Olympiacos, 41 points
PAOK, 40 points
AEK, 31 points
Aris, 25 points
OFI, 23 points
Xanthi, 23 points
Panathinaikos, 22 points
Atromitos, 22 points
Lamia, 22 points
AEL, 22 points
Volos NFC, 21 points
Asteras Tripolis, 15 points
Panetolikos, 8 points
Panionios, 6 points*
*Panionios deducted six points before season began after not receiving Super League licence
Image Source: sportfm.gr
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