PAOK seems to be a very strong contender for the Super League title in Greece, having come out unscathed from the most important games of the first round against AEK, Olympiacos, Aris and Panathinaikos, while maintaining a formidable eight game-unbeaten run.

In fact, this is the first time since the introduction of the Greek First Division that the team has accomplished such a feat, filling their fans with hopes that this season will be the one in which they finally reach the much-coveted third championship trophy in the club’s history.

The next game sees them heading to Peristeri, where the biggest surprise of the season, Atromitos, will be expecting them in hopes of claiming first place for themselves.

The ‘black-and-whites’ will be without the support of their fans in this venture, as it is the policy of the home team to not allow any of their visitors to have supporters in the stands in fear of episodes.

PAOK will remain hopeful that their two major competitors for the title, AEK and Olympiacos, drop a few more points this weekend, as the champions will be hosted by a surprising well-performing Panathinaikos.

Marinos Ouzounidis’ men (who had the mid-week Cup game against Apollon Larissa) seem to be getting in form, after playing well against Bayern Munich and outclassing Aris 4-0, while Petros Mantalos is set to start in this game.

On the other side, Giorgos Donis has created a solid team by combining the youth players with the few experienced players in the squad, as not even their most confident fans would’ve expected this sort of start to the season.

However, their lack of experience was more than obvious in last week’s game at Toumba, where they fell rather easily to a more confident PAOK side.

Donis isn’t facing any injuries and all his players will be available for the next trial of his youthful team.

Their eternal rivals, Olympiacos, have been seriously in doubt from the start of the season and they will go to Thessaloniki to face Aris in search of answers. Early in the week, former chairman of the club and one of the most important figures in its history, Sokratis Kokkalis resigned from the board of directors, where he had been since 2010, when he handed the presidency over to Vangelis Marinakis.

Manager Pedro Martins has previously stated that his players are committed to winning titles, however the performances of the ‘red-and-whites’ on the pitch leave much to be desired, as they struggled against last-placed Apollon Smyrnis. Meanwhile, AEL chairman Alexis Kougias held a press conference during which he stated that he is willing to sell the stocks of the team to any investors willing to buy into the team within the next 15 days.

GREEK SUPER LEAGUE DAY 9 FIXTURES

Saturday 03 October
Atromitos – PAOK
Panionios – Panetolikos
Panathinaikos – AEK
Levadiakos – AEL

Sunday 04 October
PAS Giannena – Lamia
Aris – Olympiacos
OFI – Apollon Smyrnis

Monday 05 October
Asteras Tripolis – Xanthi