The two doubled-headed eagles of Hellenic football are set for a mouthwatering top-of-the-table clash that could drastically boost or reduce each side’s premiership ambitions.
AEK hosts PAOK at “Agia Sophia” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the fourth round of the Greek Super League play-offs for what is the biggest game yet of this season’s championship race.
The teams are separated by a solitary point at the moment, with the Thessaloniki giants ahead, though the result of this contest could have a major impact on each side’s chances.
A win for PAOK here would guarantee them of a four-point lead in first, which at this stage of the season is as valuable as gold.
AEK, meanwhile, would reclaim top spot in the event of a win which would be both a massive confidence boost for them as well as a psychological blow for the “black-whites”.
The other very real possibility is that the game finishes as a stalemate, which is the result that most benefits the other team vying for the league trophy, Panathinaikos.
The Greens travel away to face Aris at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground in what is essentially another must-win clash.
The “Trifylli” is clinging on by a thread in the title hunt, currently four points away from PAOK, and so cannot afford to record anything less than a win in this game.
They will be hopeful for success on their part and failure on the part of both PAOK and AEK, though Aris has proven to be a tricky side and have already beaten Panathinaikos at their home ground this term.
The Thessaloniki club is also keenly aware of their upcoming Cup Final against the Greens in May, meaning this game also looms as a chance to get an early psychological edge over them.
Olympiacos visits Lamia at “Athanasios Diakos” ground in what they will hope proves to be a comfortable win or else lose any hope of potentially challenging for the championship.
It is do-or-die for Giannina as they prepare to battle Giannina away on Sunday morning in the third round of the play-outs.
The Epirutans are in perilous danger of dropping down to the second division (currently five points adrift from 12th), meaning that victory is a must here.
The other team currently occupying a relegation spot, Kifisia, goes away to face Asteras Tripolis in what is equally must-win for them as they too strive to avoid the drop.
Panetolikos, who is two points above Kifisia in 12th, clashes with Volos (11th) at home in a well-balanced match that could play a major role in guaranteeing either team’s safety, should they manage to triumph over the other.
Atromitos takes on Panserraikos at home and the Peristeriotes will be aiming for maximum points as they continue their bid to finish in front of all the other play-outs clubs.
Play-offs Rd 4 fixtures (AEDT)
Lamia-Olympiacos: 12am, Mon 08 Apr
Aris-Panathinaikos: 2.30am, Mon 08 Apr
AEK-PAOK: 3.30am, Mon 08 Apr
Play-outs Rd 3 fixtures (AEDT)
Atromitos-Panserraikos: 1am, Sun 07 Apr
Asteras Tripolis-Kifisia: 2.30am, Sun 07 Apr
Panetolikos-Volos: 2.30am, Sun 07 Apr
OFI-Giannina: 3am, Sun 07 Apr
