Both PAOK and Olympiacos will have to muster all their strength following their European assignments to score an important victory against one another, with the Thessaloniki side battling to keep firmly on the toes of their immediate title rivals.

The Double-headed eagle of the North is set to face the Piraeus giants at “Georgios Karaiskakis” Stadium on Monday morning (AEST) in the sixth round of the Greek Super League play-offs, with the pressure all on them to earn maximum points.

PAOK, by virtue of having last round’s match postponed due to their European commitments, now find themselves in third place and so are now in a dangerous position wherein dropped points could have a massive effect on their confidence.

Olympiacos, similarly, is in dire need of a win as they try desperately to cling onto their championship aspirations as well as also strengthen their push for a minimum top three finish (which would guarantee them of a qualifying round spot in Europe next season).

AEK will be striving to ensure they remain atop the ladder when they challenge Aris at “Kleanthis Vikelidis” Stadium.

The contest is a rematch of last week’s encounter wherein Enosi beat the Thessaloniki club 2-0, a result which the hosts will hope does not repeat itself.

For AEK, victory is a must as they will not want to afford PAOK or Panathinaikos the chance to jump them on the ladder so soon after they reclaimed first place.

Panathinaikos is also preparing for a rematch of last round, this time facing Lamia at “Athanasios Diakos” ground and the stakes are just as high for them as anyone else this matchday.

The Fthiotida outfit is still statistically the easiest side on paper which means that the Greens cannot accept anything less than three points if they wish to continue their own fight for the premiership.

Lamia will no doubt be extremely eager to earn a result after five straight losses and, with the home ground advantage, could very well land a decisive blow to Panathinaikos’ title dream.

Kifisia goes away to battle Atromitos in the fifth round of the play-outs on Sunday morning, with the aim of scoring a crucial win to get them out of the relegation zone.

The travellers currently sit in 13th position (second last) which would see them fall down to the second division, meaning that maximum points in their three remaining games are of the utmost importance.

The main threats to their survival, 12th placed Panetolikos, is set to play Asteras Tripolis away.

The game will definitely be a challenge for the Agrinio club, given the Arcadians are currently above all the other relegation group teams, though it would prove massive for their campaign if they can somehow grab the win.

OFI hosts Volos in what looms as an evenly-poised encounter with each side coming into the match in relatively good form.

The Cretans have gone unbeaten in their past five outings while the Magnesia side has earned ten points from their past four clashes, making this an interesting game to see which club will come out on top.

Last-placed Giannina goes on the road to contest Panserraikos in a must-win fixture on Sunday evening, with the Epirutans needing three wins from their last three and for other results to go their way to have any chance of avoiding the drop to the second division.

Play-offs Rd 6 fixtures (AEST)

Lamia-Panathinaikos: 12am, Mon 22 Apr

Aris-AEK: 2.30am, Mon 22 Apr

Olympiacos-PAOK: 3.30am, Mon 22 Apr

Play-outs Rd 5 fixtures (AEST)

OFI-Volos: 1.30am, Sun 21 Apr

Asteras Tripolis-Panetolikos: 2.30am, Sun 21 Apr

Atromitos-Kifisia: 2.30am, Sun 21 Apr

Panserraikos-Giannina: 10pm, Sun 21 Apr