In the hater’s guide of rivalries, Panathinaikos and Olympiakos are eternal foes. Despite the financial difference that now separates the two clubs, winning this game will always be a matter of prestige for both of them.

Panathinaikos have tried to turn a new leaf this season under coach Giorgos Donis and a squad comprised mainly of hopeful young players with the inclusion of some important key members, such as Maqueda and Insua.

The greens managed to claim a goalless draw against champions AEK last week despite being on the back foot for the longest period of the game.

Meanwhile, Olympiacos themselves have also been trying to make a fresh start with Pedro Martins at the helm.

Despite the fact that they have no targets left to chase at this point, having been eliminated from Europe and the Greek Cup and all but secured a Champions League qualifiers position, they still need to find motivations to perform to the best of their abilities.

Their comfortable 4-1 win against a dangerous Aris side proved that they will have no trouble in doing so however. A similar performance in the “eternal” derby (also known as the mother of all battles) could be the moral boost fans have been looking for after what admittedly has been a disappointing season for the red-and-whites.

At the same time, the battle for third place is truly heating up, with only a single point separating AEK and Atromitos as the two teams prepare to take on each other at Peristeri.

Damir Canadi’s men were extremely unlucky to lose 3-0 against PAOK last week as they had a series of chances that went off target and will want to prove their worth against the champions.

On the other hand, AEK had possession of the ball but never truly threatened Panathinaikos goalkeeper Dioudis in their recent encounter.

PAOK will look to maintain their winning streak in Etoloakarnania, but things might not be so simple for them as displayed by the recent 5-0 thrashing of Panionios by the local side.

Panetolikos are traditionally formidable at home and Razvan Lucescu’s men will need to maintain their high performance level if they are to walk away with all three points in their attempt to complete the season undefeated.

DAY 24 RESULTS
Xanthi – Asteras Tripolis 0-0 (90’+6′ sent off Djurickovic – 81′ sent off Bellocq, 90’+6′ sent off Papadopoulos)
AEK – Panathinaikos 0-0
AEL – Levadiakos 2-0 (71′ pen. Deletic, 83′ Shikavka – 77′ sent off Panteliadis)
Apollon Smyrnis – OFI 0-0
PAOK – Atromitos 3-0 (39′ Oliveira, 45’+3′ pen. Biseswar, 82′ Swiderski – 90′ sent off Bruno Felipe)
Lamia – Giannena 1-1 (56′ Karamanos – 86′ Fabry)
Olympiacos – Aris 4-1 (27′ Masouras, 35′, 75′ Podence, 90′ Guerrero – 74′ Martinez)
Panetolikos – Panionios 5-0 (6′ Arghus, 20′ Bajrovic, 41′, 49′ Mazurek, 72′ Willyan Barbosa – 59′ sent off Kocic)

DAY 25 FIXTURES
Saturday 16 March
Asteras Tripolis – Lamia
Panetolikos – PAOK
Giannena – AEL
Sunday 17 March
OFI – Levadiakos
Atromitos – AEK
Panathinaikos – Olympiacos
Panionios – Xanthi
Monday 18 March
Aris – Apollon Smyrnis