The enthralling premiership race comes to an end this weekend in the final round of the season, and it all rests in the hands of PAOK as they face crosstown rivals Aris at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” ground in a must-win game to secure the league title.

The Double-headed eagle of the North is in store for one of the most important Thessaloniki derbies in recent history, aiming to defeat Aris at their home ground on Monday morning (AEST) in the tenth and final round of the Greek Super League’s play-offs.

PAOK seized first place in sensational fashion midweek after their smashing of Panathinaikos and Olympiacos’s win over AEK saw them climb above Enosi with a two-point lead.

The “black-whites” still have a lot of work to do, however, to ensure their first championship since the 2018/19 campaign as anything less than a win puts them in danger of losing the title at the last hurdle.

AEK has a superior head-to-head record with PAOK this campaign, thanks to a better goal difference, meaning that even a draw would open the door for the Athenians to steal the premiership right at the death.

This fact will be of great interest to Aris, who would no doubt relish the opportunity to be the ultimate saboteurs of PAOK’s title dream.

AEK will still need to guarantee the three points in their own clash with Lamia at “Agia Sophia” Stadium to stand any chance of earning a second straight league title.

The “yellow-blacks” are certainly the better team on paper, though they will have to keep their focus completely on the game or else risk suffering an upset at the hands of a Fthiotida side that has nothing to lose.

Outside of the title hunt is also a well-poised battle for third place which will be contested by Panathinaikos and Olympiacos at “Leoforos” Stadium.

The match is of utmost importance for each club as victory would ensure either team of a spot in the qualifying rounds of a UEFA competition next season.

The Piraeus giants and the “Trifylli” both have finals coming up that could also earn them passage into Europe, though there is no denying that guaranteeing it via the league would be a massive target for both sides now that the premiership is out of the picture.

For the “red-whites”, this clash represents the final chance this season to earn a win against their eternal enemies, having lost to them three times in the league and been eliminated by them in the Greek Cup on penalties after two draws.

The most optimistic of Olympiacos fans would assume their luck will finally turn around in their last meeting this term, but the Greens will certainly do everything in their power to pile on the misery and build on their recent dominance over the Piraeus outfit.

Play-offs Rd 10 fixtures (AEST)

AEK-Lamia: 3am, Mon 20 May

Aris-PAOK: 3am, Mon 20 May

Panathinaikos-Olympiacos: 3am, Mon 20 May