Olympiakos supporters are expected to pack out Kairaskaki stadium tomorrow to see their side take on fierce rivals Panathinaikos in Round 26 of the Greek Super League.
Olympiakos, which has already secured this year’s championship, will be playing for pride, while its opponent PAO, currently third, is looking to stay in touch with second-placed AEK Athens.
The two teams never played their first fixture against each other earlier in the season, with Olympiakos being awarded a win by forfeit after PAO fans threw flares and invaded the pitch.
Last week PAO defeated Atromitos 2-nil with debut goals by new additions Lucas Evangelista and Lucas Villafanez.
Olympiakos didn’t play last week because its 25th round tie against Iraklis was postponed. The move came four days after Olympiakos’ Greek Cup semifinal at PAOK – a Thessaloniki team, like Iraklis – was abandoned toward the end when PAOK fans stormed the pitch.
This week’s fixtures kick off today (Saturday) with Panionios v Xanthi, Kalloni v Giannena and Panetolikos v PAOK.
PAOK, currently fourth, sacked its coach Igor Tudor and replaced him with youth-team coach Vladimir Ivic during the week following the team’s shock 2-1 loss to Panthraikos last Sunday.
The Macedonian side are desperate to improve in the lead up to the all important play-offs.
On Sunday, it’s Atromitos v Asteras Tripolis, Iraklis v Veria and Levadiakos v Platanias.
Round 26 concludes on Monday night when secondplaced AEK is at home to Panthrakikos.
AEK will be without many of its first choice players, with a number of them suspended, having picked up too many yellow cards.
