Two-way race for Greek crown

The Ethniki Categoria reaches its climax tonight with Olympiakos Piraeus FC and AEK Athens vying for the Greek crown.

Athens duel
Olympiakos, tied at the top on 55 points with their rivals from the capital, travel to mid-table FC Aris Thessalonika knowing that a victory would see them retain their title, courtesy of a better head-to-head record this season. If AEK, who host fourth-placed FC PAOK Thessalonika, manage a better result than Olympiakos, then it is them who will be crowned champions, which would be a Double triumph after winning the Greek Cup last month. Confused? Then hold on to your hats. 

Panathinaikos complication 
To add another dimension to the excitement, if Panathinaikos FC, in third place on 52 points, win their game away to Ethnikos Asteras, and either AEK or Olympiakos lose, then there will be a play-off to see who gets the runners-up spot and goes into the third qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League. If there is a three-way tie on 55 points, Olympiakos will lift the crown. The side that ends up in third spot will have to make do with a place in next season’s UEFA Cup. Complicated? It gets worse.

UEFA Cup
PAOK and fifth-placed Xanthi FC are already certain of playing in next season’s UEFA Cup, but the final place is still very much up for grabs. The winner of the match between Iraklis FC and Panionios GC will take sixth spot, but if they draw and OFI Crete win in Xanthi, then it is the islanders who will be strutting their stuff in Euope next season. Iraklis, however, are in pole position, one point ahead of their opponents tonight and two above OFI. Mystified? It's not over yet. 

Trap door
In the relegation dogfight, Asteras need to take all three points from Panathinaikos to save themselves, although a defeat will suffice if bottom-placed Panahaiki GC fail to beat Ionikos. If Asteras draw and Panahaiki take all three points, then there will be a play-off to decide who falls through the trap door. Information overload? Go and put your feet up.