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Reigning champions AEK Athens will entertain arch-rivals Panathinaikos at the Agia Sophia Stadium in a top-of-the-table Super League Greece playoffs clash on Wednesday.
The hosts are unbeaten in their last three league games, recording two wins on the trot. Second-half goals from Djibril Sidibé and Nordin Amrabat helped them register a comeback 2-1 away win over Aris in their previous outing on Sunday.
The visitors also head into the match in great form, registering four consecutive wins. They recorded a 5-0 away win over Lamia, with Fotis Ioannidis and Anastasios Bakasetas bagging braces. Benjamin Verbič, who was subbed in the 22nd minute to replace the injured Bernard in the 22nd minute, scored from his very first touch of the match a minute later.
With just four games left to play in the league, the title race is very close, with Athens and Panathinaikos separated by just one point, and fourth-placed Olympiacos trail Athens by six points but have a game in hand.
AEK Athens vs Panathinaikos Head-to-Head and Key Numbers
- The two local rivals contest the Athenian derby and have met 248 times in all competitions thus far. The visitors have the upper hand in these meetings, leading 103-71 in wins while 74 games have ended in draws.
- The visitors have just one win in their last six meetings against the hosts, with that triumph coming in the playoffs earlier this month.
- The visitors are unbeaten in their last seven away games in all competitions, with six wins and five clean sheets.
- AEK Athens have suffered just one loss in their last 15 games in all competitions, with that loss coming against the visitors in the reverse fixture last month.
- The visitors have the best attacking record in the league this term, scoring 79 goals in 32 games, seven more than the hosts.
AEK Athens vs Panathinaikos Prediction
Dikéfalos Aetós have bounced back well from a 2-1 loss in the reverse fixture earlier this month, recording two wins in three games, while scoring two goals apiece. They have just two wins in their last eight home meetings against the visitors, with five games ending in draws. They have kept four clean sheets in that period.
Nonetheless, they are unbeaten in their last 11 home games in all competitions, recording eight wins, and will look to build on that form. Orbelín Pineda started from the bench on Sunday and might get the nod to start here.
The Greens are on a four-game winning run in the league, scoring 12 goals while conceding just twice. They have failed to score in four of their last five away meetings against the hosts and will look to improve upon that record.
Bernard was subbed off with a hamstring issue on Sunday and is unlikely to travel to Nea Filadelfeia. Filip Đuričić was left out of the squad in that match and should be included this time around in place of the injured Bernard.
Both teams have been in good touch recently, and considering their current goalscoring form, a high-scoring draw is likely to ensue.
Prediction: AEK Athens 2-2 Panathinaikos
AEK Athens vs Panathinaikos Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result - Draw
Tip 2: Goals - Over/Under 2.5 Goals - Over 2.5 goals
Tip 3: At least one goal to be scored in the second half - Yes
Tip 4: Fotis Ioannidis to score or assist any time - Yes
