The 2015/16 season of the Greek Superleague begins today with three games including the return to top flight football for Athens club A.E.K and Thessaloniki club Iraklis.
The new campaign kicks-off with two simultaneous games at 19:15 Greek time.
In Mytilne, AEL Kallonis host Iraklis, with Australian striker Kerem Bulut in the squad for the opening game. Bulut signed a three-year deal with Greek side Iraklis after parting ways with 2014 AFC Champions League winners Western Sydney Wanderers.
The former Sydney FC youth team player joins Iraklis, who have just been promoted from Greece’s second division, on a free transfer with a view to re-launching his career in Europe after previous spells in Turkey and the Czech Republic.
Also scheduled for a 19:15 kick off is the Panthrakikos against Asteras Tripolis in Komotini.
The late match on Saturday kicks-off at 21:30 and will see AEK Athens host Cretan side Platanias.
The big news for AEK fans is that new signing Diego Buananote may be included in the starting eleven, despite only signing for the club a week ago. Coach Traianos Dellas is expected to field an attacking line up to please the AEK faithful who will be expecting nothing short of victory in AEK’s first game back in the country’s premier league.
There are four games taking place on Sunday as Atromitos look to bounce back from their midweek Europa League defeat to Fenerbache when they take on Levadiakos, while Veria host PAS Giannena, both games start at 19:15.
Also at 19:15 PAOK entertain Xanthi at Toumba Stadium. PAOK, fresh off their 5-0 thrashing of Brondby in their Europa League qualifier, will be hopeful of continuing that form against a Xanthi side that has traditionally done well against them.
PAOK’s new Australian signing Terry Antonis is not expected to feature in the game, having only joined the club last week on a three year deal.
In an interview with PAOK TV Antonis called PAOK an “excellent team, with great people, great players and amazing fans.”
“When I was presented with the opportunity, I wanted to come play in my homeland, from where my grandparents and my parents are. I feel privileged to be here and it is my honor to play for PAOK.”
In Sunday’s late game, defending champions Olympiakos will look to start their campaign with a home win against Panionios. Olympiakos, who have announced they will not sign any more players during this transfer period, have made some very strong acquisitions already and are considered favourites to win the title again.
Coach Marco Silva’s biggest challenge will be juggling the demands of Greek Super League with that of the European Champions League, but he has a bigger squad than all of his rivals and anything less than another title will be deemed a failure by the supporters of the Piraeus club.
The first round action concludes on Monday when Panetolikos host Panathinaikos in a game PAO coach Yiannis Anastasiou knows his side must win following their dismal 0-0 midweek draw against Qabala in the Europa League play-offs.
PAO won’t have star signing Michael Essien in the team or new signing Mehdi Abeid, who just joined the Athens club from English Premier League side Newcastle United.