AEK seeking victory in derby against PAOK
Source: NEOS KOSMOS
The two Double-headed eagles of Greek football are set for a massive top-of-the-table encounter with each side eager to score an important advantage over the other.
AEK challenges PAOK at “Agia Sophia” Stadium on Monday morning (AEDT) in the blockbuster fixture of the Greek Super League’s eighth round, with the derby providing an early taste into each team’s title credentials.
The two clubs are among the best-performing sides of the competition thus far and will be keen to score a psychological advantage over one another, particularly PAOK as they have a chance to go five points clear of Enosi.
The hosts, meanwhile, have a golden opportunity to negate the current two-point difference and leap above the Thessaloniki giants if they can score a win.
AEK will hope they can emulate their result from their only other league derby match this season wherein they beat Panathinaikos and make it two straight successes against the top teams.
Olympiacos and Aris (both level on points with AEK) will be keeping a close eye on the match’s outcome as they also seek to gain ground on the league leaders, though they will first need to secure victories of their own against Levadiakos and Kallithea respectively.
The Piraeus outfit is set to take on the “blue-greens” at “Georgios Karaiskakis” ground in what is essentially a must-win game, with the “red-whites” needing maximum points to keep the pressure on their fellow title rivals.
Aris hosts Kallithea in what is similarly a game in which they need to triumph, though the recently promoted side has proven to be a difficult opponent this term with five draws recorded from their seven outings.
The “yellow-blacks” will need to stay strong and not take their opponents for granted as they strive to maintain their good momentum that has put them inside the top four.
Panathinaikos is looking for a crucial away win over OFI to kickstart their league campaign.
The Greens desperately need to improve their league form after falling seven points away from top spot, with the Cretans representing their first obstacle in their ambition to get closer to their fellow top clubs.
Panetolikos is preparing for a visit to Atromitos on Sunday morning in a bid to earn their third consecutive triumph.
The Agrinio side will be brimming with confidence after defeating AEK last round, and they will hope to match that result and preserve their place in fifth.
Asteras Tripolis is striving for a statement win against Lamia to distract from the chaos surrounding the club’s management.
Despite the Arcadians’ steady performances (currently placing in seventh), they have had a messy campaign off the field that has seen them employ their third manager this season in Savvas Pantelidis following Claude Makelele’s exit.
The team will be eager to demonstrate the chaos has not affected them, and Lamia is their first test to showcase their quality.
Volos hosts Panserraikos in the opening game of the round as they seek all three points to create further distance between themselves and the current bottom-placed outfit.
Greek Super League Round 8 fixtures (AEDT)
Volos-Panserraikos: 1.00am, Sun 20 Oct
Atromitos-Panetolikos: 4am, Sun 20 Oct
Lamia-Asteras Tripolis: 4.30am, Sun 20 Oct
Olympiacos-Levadiakos: 12am, Mon 21 Oct
OFI-Panathinaikos: 2am, Mon 21 Oct
Aris-Kallithea: 4am, Mon 21 Oct
AEK-PAOK: 4.30am, Mon 21 Oct
The original article: NEOS KOSMOS .
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