The “Trifylli” has immediately bounced back from last weekend’s draw with a tough victory over Panetolikos, extending their unbeaten run which has nearly reached the halfway point of the regular season.
Panathinaikos beat the Agrinio club 0-1 away on Thursday morning (AEDT) in the Greek Super League’s 12th round, getting immediately back on track after their draw with Olympiacos saw them drop points for the first time this term.
The game was evenly matched and it took 78 minutes for the Greens to crack through Panetolikos’ defences, as striker Fotis Ioannidis fortunately was able to bag the winner with a tap-in after his initial header was saved.
PAOK defeated Ionikos 0-3 in Nikaia for a huge much-needed win on Friday morning, keeping them firmly in range of the other top sides inside the top four.
The Thessaloniki giants took the lead after a tap-in from attacking midfielder Filipe Soares (27′) before striker Nelson Oliveira released a phenomenal long shot into the bottom right corner (34′).
Midfielder Douglas Augusto polished off a strong performance with a final goal in the 57th, finishing a rapid counter attack following an Ionikos corner.
Volos was able to record its seventh victory of the campaign with a 2-1 home success against Giannina which protects their place in fourth.
The Magnesia side was propelled to a two-goal lead, thanks to a brace from Ognjen Ozegovic, with the striker first heading in a cross (47′) and then deflecting a shot from teammate Antonia Luna into the bottom right (55′).
The Epirus club halved the deficit via a strike from substitute Claudiu Cristian Blan (82′) in what eventually proved to be just a consolation.
Meanwhile, AEK secured a well-earned 3-0 win at “Agia Sophia” Stadium on Thursday morning to make up for their draw last matchday.
Enosi started with a bang with star forward Levi Garcia converting an early penalty (6′) before midfielder Mijat Gacinovic finished off a good low cross (11′).
Playmaker Petros Mantalos secured the three points with a header from close range on the hour mark.
Olympiacos responded to their disappointing draw with Panathinaikos last round with a 0-1 away triumph over Levadiakos, thanks to a strike from right back Thanasis Androutsos (40′).
Two early goals from centre half Dimitris Chatziisaias (9′) and striker Vidar Orn Kjartansson (12′) helped Atromitos secure a 2-0 home win against Asteras Tripolis, giving the Peristeri outfit a huge confidence boost going into their weekend clash with Panathinaikos.
The pressure is on both AEK and Olympiacos for what looms as a huge moment in their respective seasons, with both sides needing a win to keep within range of a rampant Panathinaikos side.
The Piraeus club takes on Enosi at “Apostolos Nikolaidis” ground on Monday morning (AEDT) in a blockbuster 13th round clash which could have huge ramifications on each of their title chances.
This matchday concludes the first half of the regular season and is the last set of games until the league goes on break for the World Cup, making it all the more critical for both sides to win and maintain the current points gap they have with the league leaders.
Panathinaikos battles Atromitos at “Leoforos” Stadium and they will be desperate to record another victory and officially go into the break without a single loss.
PAOK (5th) plays Volos (4th) at “Toumba” Stadium in another huge fixture wherein a win would put the Thessaloniki giants ahead of their opponents but a loss would see them fall five points behind.
Aris travels to face Giannina and they will be keen to earn a victory and solidify their place in the top six.
Lamia hosts Panetolikos in a crucial game for both teams who are in wretched form, having each failed to win their last six league outings.
Asteras Tripolis, another side without a win in their past six league games, goes up against Ionikos at home on Tuesday morning in a massive opportunity for both to go into the mid-season break with some renewed confidence.
OFI meets with Levadiakos in Crete for the round’s final contest and it is another must-win game for the two outfits which currently occupy last place and second last on the ladder.
Greek Super League Ladder
1-Panathinaikos: 34
2-AEK: 28
3-Olympiacos: 24
4-Volos: 24
5-PAOK: 22
6-Aris: 18
7-Atromitos: 15
8-Panetolikos: 13
9-Asteras Tripolis: 10
10-Giannina: 9
11-Lamia: 9
12-Ionikos: 7
13-Levadiakos: 7
14-OFI: 7
Greek Super League Round 13 fixtures (AEDT)
Giannina-Aris: 01.00, Mon 14 Nov
Lamia-Panetolikos: 03.00, Mon 14 Nov
Olympiacos-AEK: 04.30, Mon 14 Nov
Panathinaikos-Atromitos: 06.30, Mon 14 Nov
PAOK-Volos: 06.30, Mon 14 Nov
Asteras Tripolis-Ionikos: 03.00, Tue 15 Nov
OFI-Levadiakos: 04.30, Tue 15 Nov