2008/2009 Greek Super League Predictions

August 30th, 2008 | by: Peter Katsiris | Comments(2)

The new season is among us, and kickoff is just under a half hour away. With last year’s edition going down to the wire, a busy offseason promises more of the same as titleholders Olympiacos look to defend their crown. Despite their stranglehold on the Greek Championship, the Piraeus club could have more competition than in recent years.

Rivals Panathinaikos and AEK are always challengers for the title, while Thessaloniki sides, PAOK and Aris will look to bring the Greek crown up North. Asteras Tripolis shocked the ‘Big 3′ with wins over the traditional contenders, and they have the potentional to do more of the same. Panionios was revitalized last year, and the club will look to improve on their first place finish. Skoda Xanthi always prove to be a tough test, and you can expect more of the same this year. Larissa has made several prosperous transfers in recent weeks, and the 2007 Greek Cup winners could challenge for European spots. Celebrating their centenary, Iraklis will hope the new century will bring them a boost after several bottom half finishes. Levadiakos avoided the drop, but summer-signing Michalis Kapsis will have to be a rock in defense if Levadiakos are to repeat the feat. OFI and Ergotelis will look to end Crete’s misery, as the island clubs look to avoid past relegation battles. As for the promoted clubs, Panserraikos, Panthrakikos, and Thrasyvoulos will look for a long stay in the top flight.

So with that little bit of insight, how do the clubs stack up? Well I have completed my predictions, but feel free to leave your predictions below. Here’s to a great season.

1. Oympiacos — tough to bet against a club who has won 11 of the last 12 Championships.

2. Panathinaikos — a prosperous offseason could see them push their arch-rivals to the wire.

3. AEK — they came close last year, but this summer they have lost too many pieces of the puzzle.

4. Asteras Tripolis — dark horses last year, Asteras has a dangerous new look to their ailing offense.

5. Aris — always a tough team to crack, Aris are favourites in the race for Europe.

6. PAOK — misery in the last few seasons could come to an end as Thodoris Zagorakis revitalizes his club.

7. Larissa — ‘BAM’ transfers will boost AEL, but not enough to get them into the playoffs.

8. Panionios — surely a contender, however the club could lose their edge if Rafik Djebbour leaves for AEK.

9. Xanthi — traditional dark horses, Xanthi lost its main goalscorer as Tomasz Radzinski leaves for Belgium

10. Thrasyvoulos — shocked Super League slubs last year in the Cup, could be this year’s surprise package.

11. Iraklis — Michalis Konstantinou will have to score lots of goals, but give him the ball and he will.

12. OFI — they certainly have a brighter future than their island rivals, but the wait for Europe will continue.

13. Panserraikos — the Second Division champions should be a tough egg to crack; especially at home.

14. Ergotelis — they just escaped from the drop last year, but they wont be second time lucky.

15. Levadiakos — any progress the team makes will be monitored, as big clubs chase their young talents.

16. Panthrakikos — the club looks like it wont have enough to compete in the top flight.