Aris vs AEK: No Room for Another Loss for the Union

A crucial ‘battle’ takes place at Aris’s home ground in the final round of this season’s Super League (19:00, Newsit.gr, NOVASPORTS PRIME HD). Aris vs AEK, a derby between two teams that have lost their immediate goals due to recent results in the Super League. Victory is an urgent necessity for AEK (52 points), as otherwise they risk falling further behind Olympiacos, who lead with 57 points, ahead of the mini-league battles to come. AEK aims to enter the playoffs with the smallest possible gap from the leaders and rebuild morale after two defeats by Olympiacos (the shocking 6-0 in the Cup and the 0-1 in the league). Meanwhile, Aris failed to secure a spot in the championship playoffs after drawing 1-1 with Volos last time out. The ‘yellow’ team now seeks a playoff spot for the last European ticket (if Olympiacos or AEK win the Cup). With points halved and their lead over others potentially erased, Aris under Ozunidé seeks a win to reach 44 points. Both teams faced each other earlier in the Greek Cup, with AEK prevailing. Much has changed since then, including Marin Ozunidé replacing Aki Mantziou. Now, Aris hopes to widen the gap on its fifth-place chasers, while AEK under Matías Almeyda looks to return to winning ways and maintain second place (Panathinaikos trails by -3). Possible lineups: Aris (Marinos Ozunidé): Questa, Modogia, Fabiano, Brambets, Menteel, Montsou, Sifuentez, Fetfatzidis, Dardaint, Spikit, Moron. AEK (Matías Almeyda): Brinioli, Rota, Vinta, Mukunti, Chatzisafi, Simanski, Lioubpisits, Eliason, Lamela, Gatsinovits, Piero. Referee: Daniel Zimbert. Assistants: Robert Foltin, Edgar Vesel. Fourth official: Christos Vergetis. VAR: Frantz Cortous, AVAR: Konstantinos Poulkidis.