AEK-PAOK: “double-header” derby at the packed OPAP Arena with an eye on the first place

Big fight in the OPAP Arena, with the AEK to welcome him PAOK in New Philadelphia as part of its 7th game Stoiximan Super Leaguein a derby, which comes early but can prove to be decisive for the psychology and momentum that the two teams want to build in their quest to win the title.

“Union” is at the top of the scoreboard with 16 points – having roommate Olympiakos with a game more – and wants the “three points” to continue to be alone first, while on the other hand the “black and white” with 14 points want the second consecutive victory in a derby (after 2-1 over Olympiakos) to find themselves at the top.

Centers at 21:00, with TV coverage from Cosmote Sport 1, radio from News Bulletin 247 and live update from sport-fm.gr.

In the home team, AEK went to the break of the championship as the only first and for this to happen, they had to pass through… hell in the match with Kifisia in Peristeri. Coming off the defeat to Celje, they trailed 2-0 before the first half-hour looking in bad shape, saw Mukudi sent off and Relvas red-carded, but showed character and didn’t… bend. Starring Nikolic’s changes, Jovic (equalizing goal and penalty won) and Marin (scored with a penalty 3-2) got its biggest victory so far in the league and hit the top.

The Serbian coach wants to see an improved performance from his players in the first league derby, having to manage the problem in the center of the defense: Relvas is suspended, with Mukudi extremely doubtful for the starting line-up. So, the most likely solution is to get a jersey of basic o Konstantinos Chrysopoulos – for his first participation in the championship this year – as Vida’s partner. Jovic is favorite for the position of forward and for that of the staff midfielder Joao Mariowhile in the center double with Marin, Pineda is not certain that he will start after the transatlantic trip due to his obligations with the Mexican national team, with the Grujic and Latch to claim the position.

“As I said after the last game, I’m very happy that we went into this October break alone at the top of the table. Because that says something about us, as a group, for the moment. But it is not important to be first in October, but at the end. So, it won’t be an easy race. We see it with what is happening around us, that it will not be simple and easy“, he said, among other things, in press conference Markos Nikolic ahead of the derby with Thessaloniki.

It is also noteworthy that the Serb will not face Razvan Lucescu’s PAOK for the first time: in the 2018/19 season as Vidi’s coach, he faced the “black and white” twice in the Europa League, counting equal number of wins in Budapest and Thessaloniki.

On the opposite bank, PAOK put an end to the consecutive negative results, defeating Olympiakos 2-1 with an upset in their last match before the break. Scorers were Tyson and Zivkovic, with the top scorer being Yannis Constantelia who had the winning penalty, being a permanent source of danger for the “red and whites”.

However, that night in Toumba did not only have positives for the people of Thessalonica, who saw him Pavlenka to leave injured with a forced substitution. This year’s decisive Czech was knocked out for tonight’s derby and Tsiftsis will take his place under the posts. On the plus side for Lucescu, the return of Chalov, Zivkovic (returned to normal practice on Friday (17/10)) and Pelka, who have overcome their problems and are ready for the battle in New Philadelphia.

The Romanian chose to keep his cards closed, without announcing the team for the match, with Ozdoev to be the favorite to partner Meite in the center, just like Tyson for the left “wing” of the midfield.

End, AEK is dominant against PAOK in New Philadelphia since returning home in 2022, tallying four wins, two draws and one loss on aggregate 14-6.

Possible lineups:

AEK (Marko Nikolic): Strakosia – Rota, Vida, Chrysopoulos (Mukudi), Pelios – Grujic (Pineda), Marin – Eliasson, Joao Mario, Koutesa – Jovic.

PAOK (Razvan Lucescu): Tsiftsis – Kenny, Kenziora, Lovren, Baba – Ozdoev, Meite – Zivkovic, Constantelias, Tyson – Giakoumakis.

Referee: Stegemann (Germany)

Assistants: Gunz (Germany), Atzmüller (Germany)

4th: Polychronis (Pieria)

VAR: Kortus (Germany)

AVAR: Evangelos (Athens)