PAOK-Aris: Thessaloniki derby with two opponents in different psychological states!

In addition to the “eternal” derby, the premiere of the Stoiximan Super League playoffs also includes the great battle of Thessaloniki. PAOK and Aris face off in Toumba (9:00 p.m., Novasports, bwinSPORT FM, www.sportfm.gr), with the match finding the two “gladiators” with different psychologies.

The “double header of the north” comes from the poor performance and defeat in Zagreb against Dynamo (2-0), thus chasing a big upset in Thursday’s rematch. At the same time that the “yellows” are going to the derby… furious, after a few days ago they eliminated Panaitolikos and ensured their qualification to the final of the Betsson Greek Cup.

THE PAOK is asked to put behind him what happened last Thursday in Croatia. Both the appearance and the result were disappointing, but there is no time for tears. The “black and white” are up against an opponent who gives them a hard time in Toumba, which was also proven in the first round of the championship where 0-0 was the final result of the match. The entirety of it Razvan Lucescu, however, enters the playoffs from first place and wants to stay there until the end. His victory in Lamia with 2-0 in the last match, combined with AEK’s 3-3 at “Kleanthis Vikelidis”, brings PAOK back into the driving position and it remains to be seen how long he can stay at the top and if he is able to maintain that position until the end. At home they have a record of 10-2-1 with 32-8 goals scored, however in the two most recent matches they are winless!

In terms of competition, the “black and white” are forced to go with a certain duo in the stoppers for a long time. Because the only ones available are Ketziora-Koulierakiswith Michaelidis-Ekong to be out with problems that will keep them on the pitch for weeks. The mission is not even the Sastre, Samata and Cricket. Of course, it remains to be seen if the former will catch his breath as well Nasberg used in his place, as well as whether there will be little rotation due to the fatigue of back-to-back games. Vieirania, Schwab, Murg and Despodov are still vying for a place in PAOK’s starting line-up.

The mission in detail: Kotarski, Z. Zivkovic, Talikhmanidis, Vieirinia, Otto, Kenziora, Koulierakis, Nashberg, Bamba, Rafa Soares, Schwab, Ozdoev, Meite, Markos Antonio, Murg, Constantelias, Tyson, A. Zivkovic, Despodov, Brandon, Jimas.

THE Mars on his part he is in a very good moon. Recently, qualification for the final of the Cup came, with the 0-0 against Panaitolikos sealing the ticket after the 1-0 of the first match in Agrinio. Earlier, the “yellows” had pulled out a soul and got an important result by holding AEK to 3-3 in the final matchday of the Stoiximan Super League regular season, while they have just one defeat in the last five league games. Away from home, he has a 4-3-6 record with 15-15 goals. The last game away from home was against Panathinaikos, where they were easily beaten 2-0 at Leoforos, but earlier they had gone on a five-game unbeaten run.

“When there is incredible pressure for the team to go to a final and claim a Cup, what could be better before the playoffs to qualify like that? It was the best thing for us before the start of the playoffs”said ahead of the match Akis Manzios. As far as the matches are concerned, the Greek coach – who is undefeated against PAOK in the last four matches he has faced – has no problems for today’s derby. Only Pardo was left out, who is undergoing treatment.

The mission of the “yellows” in detail: Cuesta, Houtesiotis, Odubazzo, Montoya, Ferrari, Fatore, Brambets, Fiabiano, Roz, Fran Veleth, Darida, Verstrate, Zul, Tzourasek, Manu Garcia, Suleimanov, Zamora, Saverio, Moron, Ansarifard, Fetfatzidis, Panagidis.

POSSIBLE ELEVENS:

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Kotarski – Vieirinia, Nasberg, Koulierakis, Baba – Schwab, Meite – Zivkovic, Murg, Tyson – Despontov.

Aris (Akis Manzios): Cuesta – Odubajo, Veleth, Fabiano, Montoya – Jules, Darinda, Manu Garcia – Saverio, Ansarifard, Panagidis.

Referee: Obrenovic

Assistants: Praprotnik, Cortez

Fourth: Polychronis

VAR: Borosak, Nikolakakis