The biggest match in Greek football takes place tonight as eternal rivals Panathinaikos and Olympiakos do battle at the Apostolos Nikolaidis stadium in central Athens.
League leaders and defending champions Olympiakos have already opened up an eight point lead at the head of the table, with second placed Panathinaikos desperate to reduce that deficit in tonight’s game.
The home side will be boosted by the return of Ghanaian midfielder Michael Essien who has made a full recovery from an injury that has kept him out of action for some time.
The former Chelsea and Real Madrid star transferred PAO in the summer but has missed almost the entire season so far with reoccurring injuries.
Last Saturday he played a full half for PAO in a friendly against Levadiakos after he was introduced in the second half by new coach Andrea Stramaccioni.
Stramaccioni will begin his official reign as Panathinaikos coach against rivals Olympiakos after being appointed as Giannis Anastasiou’s successor.
The former Udinese and Inter coach has signed an 18-month deal with PAO and will be hoping to guide the club to Champions League football next season.
Olympiakos, undefeated in ten games so far this season, will be keen to extend their lead at the top of the table prior to their all important game in Munich this week against Bayern for the UEFA Champions League group stages.
The Greek Super League has two other games today.
At 15:00, fourth placed Asteras Tripolis, fresh off their impressive away victory against AEK last week, take on the struggling Atromitos club, who remain in the relegation spots.
At 17:15, PAS Giannena, currently 12th, take on Kalloni, who are second last.
On Sunday, sixth placed PAOK will be desperate for a home win against mid-table Panetolikos, while ninth placed Xanthi host the high flying Panionios currently third.
Platanias take on Levadiakos before Panthrakikos, currently bottom of the table, take on fifth placed AEK, who are in fifth position. AEK’s new coach, Uruguyan Gustavo Poyet, is expected to make some changes to the side that lost at home to Asteras, including a possible swtich to a 4-3-3 formation.
The Super League fixtures for Round 11 conclude on Monday when Veria host Iraklis.