The pressure is on all the top Greek clubs this round with no derby fixture scheduled, and all set to play against weaker teams on paper in a matchday wherein they cannot afford anything less than a win.
The major Hellenic sides are all seeking maximum points in the Greek Super League’s 23rd round, with this week presenting them a chance to earn a positive result ahead of some huge derby clashes in the matchdays to come.
Olympiacos will be desperate to secure the win in their away clash with Panserraikos on Monday morning (AEDT) and preserve their spot in first.
The Piraeus giants will be extra keen to succeed after their shock 1-1 draw with Asteras Tripolis last week allowed AEK to edge closer towards them (now sitting just two points behind).
Enosi will have the chance to increase the pressure on the “red-whites” as they seek to defeat Atromitos on Sunday morning.
A win would propel AEK into first (at least for one day), which could prove a significant moment psychologically for their title charge.
Third-placed Panathinaikos is hoping their fellow championship rivals can drop points, though their primary concern will be beating Volos at the Olympic Stadium on Monday morning.
The Greens have had a disappointing few weeks after being eliminated from the Cup and falling to Aris last round, and they come into the clash off the back of playing in Europe.
The Magnesia side is hoping they can use all that to their advantage, with the “Trifylli” no doubt needing a statement win to give them a confidence boost as we head into the business end of the season.
PAOK takes on Lamia at “Toumba” Stadium in a must-win fixture, with the Thessaloniki giants having no room for error against the projected wooden spooners as they look to guarantee a spot in the top four.
Aris, one of the sides chasing PAOK, is striving for a fourth straight success in their away outing with Levadiakos as they aim to stay on the toes of their crosstown rivals.
Panetolikos is set for an important clash with Kallithea, needing maximum points to strengthen their position in the fifth-eighth play-offs spots.
The game holds more weight given they still have games to play against Aris and Panathinaikos, meaning it stands as a final chance to score points against weaker opposition on paper.
OFI hosts Asteras Tripolis in the round opener wherein the Cretans will be vying to climb into the fifth-eighth spots.
The Arcadians, meanwhile, are looking to extend their unbeaten run to ten games in all competitions.
Greek Super League Round 23 fixtures (AEDT)
OFI-Asteras Tripolis: 2am, Sun 16 Feb
AEK-Atromitos: 5am, Sun 16 Feb
Levadiakos-Aris: 12am, Mon 17 Feb
Panathinaikos-Volos: 2am, Mon 17 Feb
Panserraikos-Olympiacos: 2am, Mon 17 Feb
PAOK-Lamia: 5am, Mon 17 Feb
Panetolikos-Kallithea: 5.30am, Mon 17 Feb
