Olympiakos
- Olympiakos are unbeaten in their last five matches in all competitions, including an away win at Ajax.
- The hosts sit 2nd in the Super League table with 42 points from 17 games and an incredible +26 goal differential.
- José Luis Mendilibar has installed a pressing, high-intensity game plan at the club, and squad rotation will be important with European commitments.
Panathinaikos
- Panathinaikos have been inconsistent of late, drawing at Ferencváros and beating Aris in the cup, but losing to AEK 4-0 in the league.
- Rafael Benítez has instilled a much more disciplined defensive structure since his appointment and that has seen them reach the Europa League knockout stages.
- Vicente Taborda and Filip Djuričić are the two creative midfielders who will have to work to unlock organized defences.
Head-to-Head
- This is the biggest derby game in Greece, the Derby of the Eternal Enemies, and the atmosphere at Karaiskakis is sure to be fever pitch with the title and a European spot on the line for both clubs.
- Olympiakos have been unbeaten in four of the last five competitive derbies at this venue.
Key Players
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Olympiakos:
- Ayoub El Kaabi is the club’s top scorer this season and has netted decisive goals in domestic and European matches.
- Konstantinos Tzolakis has more clean sheets than any other keeper in the Super League this season and has pulled off key saves in recent high-stakes matches.
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Panathinaikos:
- Anass Zaroury is Panathinaikos’ main threat from wide areas, having scored vital goals in Europa League action.
- Karol Świderski is their main goal poacher, a targetman who is the club’s chief finisher and poses an aerial and poaching threat in the box.
Betting Insights
- Olympiakos are clear favorites at 1.5 on the betting for this game, with Panathinaikos at 6.25 and the draw at 3.8.
- Backing Both Teams To Score at 1.7 looks short given Olympiakos’ defensive record and Panathinaikos’ recent struggles to score in tight matches.
- Best value in correct-score betting appears to be 1-0 or 2-1.
Prediction
- I think Olympiakos will get the result as they are in better form, have the home advantage and more firepower.
- Expect a narrow home win, with 1-0 or 2-1 as the likeliest scorelines.
