Preview: Olympiacos - Panathinaikos

Sunday, 29 November, 21:30 CET
Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium, Piraeus

Not for a long time has a derby between Greece’s biggest clubs been this eagerly anticipated; 12 titles in 13 years for Olympiacos has hurt fans of their fierce rivals and this could be the best chance that they’ve had to end that pain.

Heavy investment during the off-season has been backed up by some fairly astute management from Dutchman Henk Ten Cate, who has found success both in Europe and on the domestic front thus far this season.

Panathinaikos lead the Greek Super League by two points after eleven games, showing a clinical side and consistency that has been absent since their last Greek title in 2004.

The presence of Greece internationals Dimitris Salpigidis, Giorgios Karagounis and Kostas Katsouranis – the latter one of a string of big summer signings – have bolstered a squad that truly rivals the quality and depth available to Olympiacos manager and Brazil legend Zico.

Greek football is new to the former Fenerbahce boss, though he has negotiated it without a great deal of drama thus far and like Ten Cate, is on the brink of progress in Europe (the former in the UEFA Champions League and the latter in the Europa League).

What makes this episode of one of European football’s biggest derbies so much more anticipated is that these are two squads that are extremely evenly matched.

There is star power, pace and experience within both rosters, which hasn’t always been the case in recent clashes, where Olympiacos have had a conspicuous advantage in player personnel.

It serves to heighten the pressure on Ten Cate to emerge from the Giorgios Karaiskaki with a result, where a red hot atmosphere should await a Panathinaikos side who have the best chance in years to end Olympiacos’ domestic dominance.

Avoiding defeat this weekend – and dare we suggest, victory – would go a long way toward securing the Greek title for this season and perhaps set the platform for more even contests in the future.

FORM GUIDE

Olympiacos

Oct 31. Atromitos 0-1 Olympiacos (Greek Super League)
Nov 4. Standard Liege 2-0 Olympiacos (UEFA Champions League)
Nov 7. Olympiacos 1-1 Iraklis (Greek Super League)
Nov 21. Giannina 2-2 Olympiacos (Greek Super League)
Nov 24. AZ Almkaar 0-0 Olympiacos (UEFA Champions League)

Panathinaikos

Oct 25. Panathinaikos 2-1 PAOK (Greek Super League)
Nov 1. Panathinaikos 2-1 Panionios (Greek Super League)
Nov 5. Sturm Graz 0-1 Panathinaikos (Europa League)
Nov 8. Levadiakos 0-2 Panathinaikos (Greek Super League)
Nov 22. Panathinaikos 1-1 Asteras Tripoli (Greek Super league)

TEAM NEWS

Olympiacos

Greece international Vasilis Torosidis is an outside chance to make a return from a fairly long injury lay-off. His national team-mate Avraam Papadopoulos and Argentine winger Luciano Galletti might also return to the starting XI.

Possible Starting XI (4-3-2-1): Nikopolidis, Bravo, Galitsios, Zewlakow, Mellberg, Maresca, Dudu, Oscar, Zairi, Leonardo, Mitroglou

Panathinaikos

Swine flu has reportedly struck Panathinaikos captain Giorgios Karagounis, who is a major doubt, while former Liverpool winger Sebastian Leto should be touch-and-go up until kick-off, after suffering a minor leg injury in a car crash.

Possible Starting XI (4-3-3): Tzorvas, Seitaridis, Vyntra, Sarriegi, Spyropoulos, Simao, Katsouranis, Gilberto Silva, Leto, Cisse, Salpigidis

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Dudu (Olympiacos)

Capable of shooting from range and producing the sort of moments that can decide these matches, when he’s on song in Olympiakos’ midfield they look a different team. He is also capable, though, of being very indifferent, but he has the potential to give them a real attacking drive out of midfield.

Dimitris Salpigidis (Panathinaikos)

Scored the goal that took his country to only their second World Cup recently, underlining his quality. Has an outstanding record in front of goal for the Athenian giants and has the pace and directness to unsettle opposing defences, particularly if his side decide to play on the counter. Could be key to grabbing an all-important goal at the Karaiskaki.

Prediction

This is a particularly tight one to call and like most derbies between these two in recent times, it will probably end up being a cagey affair.

Olympiacos 0-0 Panathinaikos