Panathinaikos
- Panathinaikos have shown mixed but resilient form in their last five matches and beat Olympiacos 1-0 away last time out.
- Panathinaikos, fifth on 36 points from 21 games, are the only side to have played one fewer match than Aris, who have accumulated 28 points from 22.
- Rafa Benítez is not a fans’ manager, but he is a pragmatist who is a structure-first coach.
- He organises his side into a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 that prioritises possession, presses as a unit and attacks down the flanks and from set-pieces.
Aris Thessaloniki
- Aris Thessaloniki have drawn four of their last five matches 1-1 or 0-0 and are on a run of low-scoring, tight games.
- Michalis Grigoriou was recently appointed as Aris manager and will have a difficult task in trying to steady the ship and push for a top-five finish.
- The players will no doubt be motivated to make a statement for their new boss.
Head-to-Head
- Panathinaikos have a dominant head-to-head record against Aris in 50+ matches in all competitions.
- Three of the last four have finished as draws or one-goal affairs.
- It is hard to see either side edging this, although Panathinaikos’ home-field advantage and squad superiority are enough to tip the balance towards the hosts.
Key Players
-
Panathinaikos:
- Panathinaikos have a proven goal-scorer in Karol Świderski, who is the club’s top scorer in the league this season, and can count on Anastasios Bakasetas to produce from midfield and be a goal threat on set pieces.
- They also have extra weapons in wide players Tetê and Zaroury, which should be enough to come through against an Aris side that have had to make do with what they have got for much of the season.
-
Aris Thessaloniki:
- Lorenzo Morón leads their line with four league goals, but they have enough pace in their side to threaten on the break.
- Eduardo Fernandes and defender Fabiano, who have been key to Aris’ recent run of tight games, provide balance in both attack and defense that Panathinaikos are struggling to replicate.
Betting Insights
- Panathinaikos are clear favorites at 1.88 to extend their lead over 6th-placed Aris Thessaloniki to 11 points when they clash at the Apostolos Nikolaidis on Sunday.
- The visitors are outsiders at 4.3 to claim the three points that would put them within five of the Greeks in the final European qualification place, while the draw is marked up at 3.1.
- However, the draw is the most likely outcome of this game in our estimation with a very cagey and tight affair expected to be decided by set pieces or individual skill.
- We are backing under 2.5 goals at 1.5.
Prediction
A narrow home win for the hosts looks the best play in the match betting, but as the matchup is so tight we are taking the 1-1 tie as the correct score prediction.
