There is something that will always be unique about an Olympiakos and Panathinaikos clash. Regardless of where these two teams sit in the standings, a Red vs. Green derby is unlike any other in Greece. Unfortunately, there will be no supporters for the fourth consecutive time as the Legend hosts the Tryfilli at Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium on Sunday.
Coach Pedro Martins is fully aware that a victory tomorrow (along with a letdown from Aris in their game against AEK) will mathematically give the Erythrolefki the Greek Superleague title. The Portuguese mastermind has continued tweaking his lineup with various formations and strategies with his focus being on next season.
Panathinaikos also come to Piraeus on a high after a 3-0 thrashing of PAOK. The Greens look to finish in the top 3 of the Superleague Playoffs (or top 4 if PAS Giannina doesn’t win the Greek Cup) in order to advance to the UEFA Europa Conference League qualifiers.
As of late Saturday, the Olympiacos starting formation is far from clear. During training, Martins worked on the 3-4-3 which we have seen regularly since the return leg against Arsenal and with the more traditional 4-3-3 which we saw again in the second half at Zosimades Stadium this past Wednesday.
The more likely formation will be the former with the probable Starting XI of Jose Sa, Oyssenou Ba, Ruben Semedo, Sokratis Papastathopoulos, Jose Holebas, Thanasis Androutsos, Yan M' Vila, Mady Camara, Giorgos Masouras, Bruma, and Youssef El Arabi.
The good news for the Olympiacos bench boss is that he will have all his weapons at his disposal (except for Lazar Randjelovic who has picked up a knock).
Like we witnessed on February 14th, anything can happen during an Olympiakos-Panathinaikos derby and today should be no different.