Panathinaikos’ premiership chances are well and truly on the line as they prepare for Aris, with poor recent results in the league meaning they must earn maximum points to stay in the title race.
The “Trifylli” hosts the Thessaloniki side at “Leoforos” Stadium on Thursday morning (AEDT) in the Greek Super League’s 25th and penultimate round of the regular season, and the pressure is all on the Greens to perform.
Panathinaikos will no doubt be motivated by several factors to secure the victory, one of the bigger ones being a desire to deliver their home crowd a win for the first time since fans were allowed to return to games.
In the first three matches with fans back, the Greens have drawn twice against Lamia and Kifisia while also technically losing their fixture against PAOK in the Cup (advancing through penalties because they had won in the first leg).
Alongside this, Panathinaikos will be seeking revenge after losing to Aris earlier in the season with the knowledge that any dropped points would put them further behind first place and almost destroy their title dreams before the play-offs even start.
AEK is aiming to down Giannina at “Agia Sophia” Stadium to preserve their place as the league leaders, with Enosi fully understanding that two wins in their final two regular season matches would guarantee they hold the advantage heading into the play-offs.
Meanwhile, PAOK travels to face Panserraikos as they attempt to maintain their position right at the top of the ladder and potentially even leapfrog AEK on the ladder if they somehow drop points.
Olympiacos is looking to keep their five-match winning streak going when they go away to play Panetolikos.
The Piraeus giants’ recent form has reignited their premiership hopes and, though they sit five points away from top spot, they will take confidence in managing to stay in the title mix up until now.
Lamia is preparing for a season-defining away meeting with Atromitos wherein a victory would seal their place in sixth and thus confirm their spot in the play-offs, which would be a club-first.
Their only competition is Asteras Tripolis who is set for a home clash with Kifisia.
The Arcadians understand that three points are a must if they wish to contend for sixth, though Kifisia’s continuing struggle to avoid relegation could mean they prove tricky opponents.
Volos is hoping to end a nine-match winless league run when they take on OFI at home, with the Magnesia side looking for a confidence lift as they prepare for a tough time battling relegation in the play-outs.
Volos currently sits on 17 points, equal with the other two bottom-placed sides in Kifisia and Giannina, and with a match against Olympiacos booked for the final round of the regular season, this looms as their final opportunity to taste success before the league’s next phase.
Greek Super League Rd 25 fixtures (AEDT)
Asteras Tripolis-Kifisia: 00.00, Thu 29 Feb
Volos-OFI: 00.00, Thu 29 Feb
Atromitos-Lamia: 02.00, Thu 29 Feb
Panetolikos-Olympiacos: 02.00, Thu 29 Feb
AEK-Giannina: 04.00, Thu 29 Feb
Panserraikos-PAOK: 05.00, Thu 29 Feb
Panathinaikos-Aris: 06.00, Thu 29 Feb
