Panathinaikos vs Olympiakos Prediction: First Athens Eternal derby this season

It's time for the first eternal Greek football derby of the season. The meeting between Panathinaikos and Olympiakos is scheduled for this Sunday from 20:30 at the Olympic Stadium, in the last match of the 7th round of the Greek Super League. The two teams welcome this derby in completely different moods. Olympiakos comes after two consecutive victories, in the championship over Atromitos (2:0) and in the Europa League over Braga (3:0), so confidence is at a high level. On the other hand, Panathinaikos lost to AEK Athens (0:2) and played only 1:1 with Borac Banja Luka and the pressure on the guys in the green jersey is now huge. 

Form: DLWDD

If he does not win today, there is a high probability that Diego Alonso will say goodbye to his job in Greece 21 months before the contract expires. The Uruguayan does not have the best results in Athens, he recorded only five victories in the first 13 matches, so the Greek media are already speculating about the name of his successor. The biggest minus is the results in the championship. Only two wins after six rounds, eight points, and a weak sixth position. In Europe, Panathinaikos were a little better, although they were eliminated from the qualification for the Europa League by Ajax, they reached the League Conference through the French Lens. However, then that away game in Banja Luka happened and a draw, which ruined the only positive thing in the “Greens” season, so now the pressure is very high.

Form: WWLLD

With a possible victory in the derby, Olympiakos would return to the top of the table, since AEK lost to Panetolikos (0:1) on Saturday. It's just more motivation for the red and whites if they even need it before the duel with their biggest rival. Coach Jose Luis Mendilibar has one reason for headache, the Portuguese midfielder Chiquinho has a minor injury, which will make him unable to participate in today's match. So far, he has been a starter in all eight games, so for the first time the Spanish expert will have to make a strategy without him. Olympiakos are in 3rd place with 13 points, 4 wins, a draw and a defeat.

Last season, we watched the biggest Athens derby six times, four in the league and two in the Greek Cup. Olympiakos did not manage to win a single game, in the championship, they had three losses and one draw, while in the cup after two draws Panathinaikos advanced after penalties. In this match, I expect many goals on both ends, as it was in their last two matches when we saw 4 goals in each. Olympiakos are a slight favorite for me in this match, even though it will be a very tight and tough match.