The Greek Super League is set to return to action this week, kicking off the first round of games that will be played with no fans in attendance, and Panathinaikos have their sights set on beating Atromitos to retain top spot.
Greece’s top clubs come into the 14th round of the competition under a different type of pressure as they all have easier opponents on paper, meaning that dropping points is not an option.
The team with the most to lose is the “Trifylli” as they go away to face the Peristeriotes on Sunday morning (AEDT), with the ultimate goal of guaranteeing victory and maintaining their place at the top of the table.
With three teams within three points of the Greens, they do not have the luxury of hoping that results go in their favour, making this essentially a must-win game for them.
AEK, who is only one point behind the league leaders, travels away to battle Panetolikos on Tuesday morning and they will no doubt be motivated to grab victory regardless of Panathinaikos’ result.
Olympiacos, who is three points behind first, is in line for an away clash with Panserraikos and they will be even more determined than usual to record a win after their disappointing draw to Volos last matchday.
The fact that some time has now passed since that game, due to the referee protest last week, should aid them in mentally refreshing themselves to get ready for this contest.
PAOK, the other side in the title race, also goes on the road to challenge Asteras Tripolis on Monday morning in what seems on paper to be the hardest of fixtures for the top teams this round, given the Arcadians have won three of their last five league games.
Volos is hoping to build off their impressive result against the Piraeus outfit last round by beating Lamia at “Athanasios Diakos” ground.
It will take quite the effort on Volos’ part to defeat the Fthiotida club at their own stadium, with Panathinaikos being the only team this season to do so.
Aris meets with OFI at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” Stadium on Tuesday morning in a bid to get back to winning ways following their narrow loss to AEK last round.
The Cretans will be hoping they can earn a huge upset to snap their poor form in the league, having now gone six games without a victory.
Kifisia and Giannina go head-to-head in a bottom-of-the-table clash as they fight to climb past the other on the ladder.
Kifisia, currently in last place, will hope they can draw off their home crowd to score a vital win and avenge their loss to the Epirutans earlier in the season.
Greek Super League Rd 14 fixtures (AEDT)
Kifisia-Giannina: 02.30, Sun 17 Dec
Aris-OFI: 00.00, Mon 18 Dec
Asteras Tripolis-PAOK: 02.30, Mon 18 Dec
Lamia-Volos: 04.30, Mon 18 Dec
Atromitos-Panathinaikos: 05.30, Mon 18 Dec
Panetolikos-AEK: 02.00, Tue 19 Dec
Panserraikos-Olympiacos: 03.00, Tue 19 Dec
