SLGR Matchday 23 Preview: Athens derby focal point of crucial round
AGONAsport’s George Tsitsonis previews matchday 23 of the 2019/20 Greek SuperLeague.
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Matchday 23 of the 2019/20 Greek Super League 1 features the classic Athens derby between AEK and Panathinaikos. Other important fixtures are on the docket too however as leaders Olympiacos face a tough away test at Atromitos while PAOK will not likely have it easy at home versus playoff-chasing OFI. With a mere four points separating sixth through twelfth place in the standings, there will be interest in just about every match with regard to the final European playoff place.
Below is a day-by-day breakdown of this weekend’s matches.
Saturday
Panionios-Xanthi
Lamia-Larisa
Two matches kick off the weekend slate as Panionios is up against Xanthi and Lamia host Larisa. Of the four sides, only Panionios is out of the playoff race. The Nea Smyrni side will welcome Xanthi to town in hopes of picking up some points to give them a fighting chance in the relegation playoffs. Xanthi meanwhile are just a point behind OFI for sixth place in the standings for the final playoff spot.
The match-up between Lamia and Larisa appears to be something of a final for both teams with regard to their aspirations of a playoff berth. With just one point separating the two sides (Larisa - 9th, 25 points and Lamia - 12th, 24 points) it’s a massive opportunity for the two to lay claim to sixth place.
Sunday
Asteras Tripolis-Aris
Atromitos-Olympiacos
PAOK-OFI
AEK-Panathinaikos
The main course of the round comes Sundays with four matches on tap. Things get going with the early kick-off as Asteras Tripolis and Aris tangle in Tripoli. Following last weekend’s dramatic late win against Panetolikos, Asteras suddenly find themselves within striking distance of the playoffs. Victory over Aris could put them as high as sixth depending on other results. Aris look to have nailed down fourth in the table. However, the Thessaloniki club will surely want to enter the playoffs with some momentum and put behind them a January that began well but ended up having mixed results.
Super League 1 leaders Olympiacos make the short trip to Peristeri to meet up with Atromitos. Pedro Martins’ team went back to the top of the standings following their 3-1 win over Xanthi last week and PAOK’s loss to Panathinaikos. Olympiacos have won five of their last six and will fancy their chances against an Atromitos side in the midst of a three-match losing streak. While a playoff spot is not beyond Savvas Pantelidis’ men, they must get their act together quickly.
After a disappointing league defeat to Panathinaikos last Sunday, PAOK looked in better shape during midweek action as they defeated the Prasini in the Greek Cup quarter-finals 2-0. The defending champions will only be content with three points this weekend at home to OFI. The Crete side were flying high until Christmas. Since late 2019 they have won just once in eight league matches and are barely clinging on to sixth place at the moment.
The AGONAsport Match of the Week is the Athenian derby between AEK and Panathinaikos at the Olympic Stadium. Sunday night’s match is between two sides who have recently overcome some poor form.
AEK have received a new manager bounce from Italian boss Massimo Carrera and the Kitrinomavri have won seven of their last ten matches to consolidate third place in the table. Panathinaikos too are in the midst of a fine run. Giorgos Donis’ side are winners of five matches on the bounce, scoring eleven goals in those victories and recording five consecutive shutouts.
This is a derby that could well live up to its billing considering the two teams’ current form. The fact that there is little pressure as far as the league table goes with AEK looking sure favorites to finish third and Panathinaikos appearing to having a lock on fourth means this could be more of an open affair than is usually expected from traditional derbies.
Monday
Panetolikos-Volos
One lone Monday afternoon encounter is on the schedule this week and it features Panetolikos and Volos. This looked like purely a relegation scrap with two sides undoubtedly set to be involved in the relegation playoffs. However, Volos’ win at home to Lamia changed that and the newly-promoted men are in with a shout for a top six placing. Panetolikos were left stunned by Asteras Tripolis last week in injury-time fashion. There is no way to avoid the relegation playoffs for the Agrinio side, but they could still pick up important points ahead of the playoffs starting next month.
