Kalamata
- Kalamata's recent pattern has been to keep it tight and control the flow, which is exactly how you would expect a promoted side to approach the start of a new season in a league they will want to get settled into as soon as possible.
- Kalamata's last five competitive results were: 1-0, 0-0, 1-0, 1-0 and 2-0.
- Kalamata boss Panagiotis Christofileas likes to set his team up in either a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, which is built on a possession ethos, structured pressing and quick transitions.
- All signs are that the Kalamata side will attempt to slow the game down in this opener.
Aris Thessaloniki
- Aris' recent wins include: 3-0, 2-1, 3-1 and 3-0.
- In the final third, Aris boss Marinos Ouzounidis has drilled his team into a compact 4-2-3-1 formation with vertical passing and aggressive pressing after they lose possession.
- Aris are the slight favorites here at 2.05, ahead of the draw at 3.1 and Kalamata at 4.15, so it's clear that the market sees a win for the visitors as the likeliest result.
Head-to-Head
There is little in the way of recent head-to-head history between these two sides, who met in the Greek top flight for the last time in April 2001 when Aris ran out 3-2 winners .
Key Players
- Jovanny Bolívar is Kalamata's man in the hole, where the summer signing will be expected to carry most of the team's scoring responsibilities.
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Aris have the more depth and can match Bolívar's strength with Dudu Rodrigues, who offers them pace and direct running on the wide areas, while Loren Morón looks the most likely to score a goal in this fixture as the forward has been Aris' most reliable source of goals.
- Jovanny Bolívar
- Dudu Rodrigues
- Loren Morón
Betting Insights
- Under 2.5 goals (1.59) is our main selection, while Both Teams to Score - No (1.74) seems just as likely.
- Aris 2.05, Draw 3.1, Kalamata 4.15.
Prediction
We're taking the hosts to keep it close as they are almost always do, but it is more likely that Aris grab a goal and run out with the win.
