The fixtures haven’t been kind to PAOK. The Thessaloniki team played second on the ladder Panathinaikos last week, and now faces the team directly behind it, Asteras Tripolis.

Fans are right to be worried.

Panathinaikos has Marcus Berg to thank, after the Swede collected a hat-trick for the team, helped by a Nikos Karelis goal. PAOK equalised (1-1) through Stefanos Athanasiadis just before half-time and led 2-1 early in the second half via Yiannis Skondras. But after conceding three goals in 24 minutes, the injury-time header by Christian Noboa was no more than a consolation goal.

Asteras is on a two match winning streak, adding to the amazing 6-1 win against OFI with a 1-0 win against Atromitos last week.

PAOK will need to grab possession of the ball early to really have a chance at taking the win.

A series of events have led to Olympiakos not kicking a ball all this month at home: The Super League’s 26th round of games, including its home game against Asteras Tripolis on March 1, did not take place due to the government’s decision to suspend the league for one week, and its March 7 game at Panthrakikos was postponed to a date that has not yet been set.

It did at least come away with a win this week after dominating the AEK Cup match.

The Reds are on equal points with Panathinaikos at the moment but at the same time are a match behind. Their return to the Super League this week comes at the hands of Xanthi, which hasn’t lost a match in 14 matches. Ironically, its last failed match was thanks Olympiakos.

Fifth-placed Panaitolikos are hoping to get themselves out of a slight slump when they come up against PAS Giannina and Kalloni take on equal placed Veria.