The Greek Super League will return to action this weekend, after a break in play for international fixtures. A handful of teams, including Larissa, Olympiakos, and AEK will look to continue their perfect starts. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos and Panionios will be in search of their first victories.

The weekend starts with four games scheduled for a Saturday kickoff. Iraklis continues its home stay with Cretan club OFI FC visiting Kautanzogleio. Both clubs opened the season with a loss at home, only increasing the pressure for this coming weekend. Allowing a late strike dashed Iraklis’ chances of a successful start, while OFI was overpowered by PAOK.

Kicking off at the same time will be Skoda Xanthi and defending champions Olympiakos. Xanthi welcome the Piraeus giants, and will have a tricky task with the thus far perfect ‘Eruthroleuki’. The home side will be keen to continue their winning streak, after a 1-0 defeat of Panionios gave Xanthi a perfect start. Olympiakos will also be favoured to win, but injuries to club captain Predrag Djordjevic and matchday one MVP Luciano Galletti cause concern amongst the Piraeus ranks. Galletti scored twice in Olympiakos triumph over Asteras Tripolis, but the Argentine is expected to sit this one out. The visitors will look to stay focused, as their sights could linger to their midweek UEFA Cup encounter with Danish side FC Nordsjælland.

After slipping 2-1 in the Athenian derby against AEK, Panathinaikos returns to action and a win against promoted club Panthrakikos is highly expected. The Champions League will provide a distraction for the ‘Tryfilli’, as a meeting with Italian Champions Inter Milan looms midweek. Panthrakikos were robbed a Super League debut victory, as Ergotelis notched a 2-1 away win. The task will be much more draining this weekend against the Athenian giants. However, with no pressure on the visitors, Panathinaikos could be in for a rough match themselves. A win will be crucial for Panathinaikos, not only for the league race, but to boost confidence ahead of their opening Champions League fixture.

Closing out Saturday’s matches is an encounter between Panserraikos and Panionios. Panserraikos sealed an impressive return to the Greek top flight with a win over Iraklis in Thessaloniki. Summer signing, Patrick Zoundi, scored a brace to see the Serres club upset the home side. On the flip side, their second round opponents will be hungry for a win after coming up short against Xanthi in their season opener. Panionios has made a flurry of late transfers to replace the departed Rafik Djebbour. The acquisitions of Alvaro Recoba and Fabian Estoyanoff have boosted the hopes around Nea Smyrni. It is unclear if the two ‘bam’ signings will make their club debuts this coming weekend, nonetheless the match should offer plenty of intrigue.

Matchday two closes out on Sunday, with the remaining four matches taking place across Greece. Thrasyvoulos will look to make up for the destruction left by Larissa’s 3-0 demolition of the newly promoted club. An evenly matched encounter with Levadiakos could see the Super League debutants grab their first points of the season. Their opponents will be enjoying the comforts of their home ground, and they too will be keen to grab their first points of the new term. A 2-0 loss to Aris seemed inevitable, but the meeting with Thrasyvoulos could make up for the club’s matchday one blunders.

Two undefeated clubs look to continue their perfect starts, as Ergotelis welcome Aris to the Pangkritio Stadium. Both teams avoided any opening round shocks, but for Ergotelis the leeway was slim as Panthrakikos gave the Cretan club a real scare. For Aris a disappointing early exit from European competition was quickly brushed aside, and the club nickname ‘God of War’ cruised to a 2-0 victory over Levadiakos. The Thessaloniki based side will be favoured to continue their perfect start, but Ergotelis’ home advantage could prove to be a tricky task for Aris.

Two potential dark horses rekindle their rivalry in Tripoli as Larissa put their winning start on the line against home side Asteras Tripolis. The latter made their home ground a fortress last year, and pulled of shock defeats of Greece’s ‘Big 3′. However, a 3-1 loss to Olympiakos could dampen the team’s spirits but the midweek signing of Cameroon international Roudolphe Douala adds depth to an injury bit side. As for Larissa, a 3-0 win over Thrasyvoulos initiated early season celebrations as the club’s summer facelift proved to be a success on matchday one. Nolberto Solano played a well rounded seventy-five minutes, but Laurent Robert will be hoping for a spike in his minutes after being limited to a mere three minutes.

He weekend and the matchday conclude with a mouth-watering revival of the rich rivalry between PAOK and AEK. PAOK Toumba Stadium will be the venue for this early season derby, and the home side will look to test their revitalized roster. Led by the profitable knowledge of club president Theodoros Zagorakis, and manager Fernando Santos, PAOK pulled off many squad bolstering transfers this past summer. A dominant performance against OFI gave a glimpse of PAOK’s potential, but the Thessaloniki giants will be in tough against a confident AEK outfit. After defeating rivals Panathinaikos at OAKA, AEK will be looking to make it two-for-two in derbies this season as the ‘Enosis’ continued to adapt to Georgios Donis’ tactics. With Greece international Angelos Basinas at full fitness, AEK will be keen to avoid wasting their fine start.

Matchday two looks to top its predecessor in excitement, with several well matched encounters scheduled for kickoff this weekend. In all, eight clubs will look to double their winning streaks, while the remaining eight have their sights on their first wins of the season.

Omonia surged ahead on eleven minutes thanks to a defensive error from Angelos Basinas, and a classy finish from Klodian Duro shocked the visitors. It was nearly 2-0 when Duro’s free-kick smashed against the crossbar. Despite being rattled, AEK held its composure and were rewarded when Basinas’ free-kick was met by the head of Ismael Blanco, and the club’s leading scorer from last year, pulled AEK level and only behind by one on aggregate.

There was more misery in store for AEK shortly after the restart; Ignacio Scocco was called for a dive, and the club’s summer signing was sent off on his second booking of the night. Managing to hold their own, AEK continued to challenge for a second goal, despite being a man short. The advantage showed twenty minutes before time. Duro latched on to a pass from Ioannis Okkas, and the man of the match added his second goal of the game. Michalis Pavlis pulled one back for AEK two minutes before time, but a further sending off – this time a straight red for Juanfran – surely ended AEK’s UEFA Cup.

The final whistle only confirmed the result, a historic one for the home side who joins rivals APOEL FC as Cypriot representatives in the next round. As for AEK, they join Aris FC as the two sides head for an early European exit.

AC Omonia 2-2 AEK Athens FC

AEK Athens FC (Georgios Donis): Saja, Ramos, Kyrgiakos, Majstorovic, Juanfran, Basinas, Rikka (75′ Zorbas), Kafes (75′ Lagos), Edinho (79′ Pavlis), Blanco, Scocco.

It’s been a bad week for the ‘Enosi’. Amidst reports Demis Nikolaidis will be stepping down from his role as club president this coming May, club captain Rivaldo also announced his departure as well. Finding his way out much earlier than Nikolaidis, Rivaldo transferred to Uzbeki club Bunyodkor earlier this week.

Now the club switches to new era, much like their rivals Olympiacos did last year. They will be hoping Olympiacos will provide them with the lessons to overcome Omonia, but not because of Olympiacos’ success but their failures. Olympiacos were knocked out by Anorthosis, and now face a UEFA Cup run. However, if AEK are to fall to their own Cypriot opposition, there won’t be the parachute fall into another European competition.

With attack part of the main focus, it is suggested AEK will line-up in a 4-3-3 formation. Sebastián Saja gets the nod between the posts; his duty will be to preserve a clean sheet. In defense, Edson Ramos and Juanfran will man either sides of the AEK backline. In the center, Sotiris Kyrgiakos and Daniel Majstorović pair up as the central defenders. The midfield sees summer signing Angelos Basinas make his summer debut. The Greek international has won the race to fitness, and will play alongside Antonis Rikka (or Perparim Hetemaj) and Ignacio Scocco. Edinho has recovered from a painful tooth injury, and the 26-year old will feature alongside Ismael Blanco and Panagiotis Lagos (or Panagiotis Zorbas).

For Omonia, the capital club will look towards their Larnaca rivals for inspiration; managing to reach the Champions League group stages, the achievement has sent Anorthosis supporters – if not all of Cyprus – into a state of pandemonium. Despite holding the edge ahead of the return in Nicosia, Omonia will have to keep their composure.

It is expected that the Cypriot club will line-up with a familiar look, but most likely sporting a defensive look. Despite the ingredients on hand for an Omonia win, the Cypriot club will be very much aware of the threat AEK possesses.

Hit with a long list of injuries, new AEK manager Giorgos Donis has called up several replacements in his 18-man squad. Facing his first match at the AEK reigns, the experienced Donis will look for a favourable result tonight in Cyprus.

New signings Sotirios Kyrgiakos and Angelos Basinas will sit this one out, as well Edinho (toothache), Jurgen Macho, Gustavo Maduca , Geraldo Alves. New club captain Rivaldo will be the center of the AEK attack but the main finisher could be the club’s leading scorer from last year, Ismael Blanco. Ignacio Scocco, a new signing from Mexico, will pair up with Blanco but expect most of AEK’s attack to come down the flanks. The ever-inspirational Rivaldo will have to lead the AEK cause, but Pantelis Kafes and Panagiotis Lagos will also have work to do. Defensively, new signing Juanfran will provide cover as well as far down the flank. Nikos Georgeas, Daniel Majstorovic, and Edson Ramos will man the back line for an injury-riddled AEK. In goal, it seems Sebastian Saja and Giannis Armabatzis will battle to get the start, with Austrian international Jurgen Macho battling an injury ahead of the Super League season.

For the home side, the chance of grabbing the tie by its horns is there. With home advantage tonight in Nicosia, it will be up to Omonia to make the best of the opportunity ahead of the return in Athens. Taking inspiration from their Cypriot rivals Anorthosis, the club with a similar logo to Greek giants Panathinaikos could prove to be stiff test for the ‘Dikefale’.

In recent weeks, a feeling of national pride has hit the small Mediterranean island. With the European draws confirmed Greek clubs would be facing Cyprus’ best, Cypriot alike are hungry for European wins – especially over Greek opposition. It was reported that several nationalist groups attending tonight’s game would be chanting anti-Greek slogans, an event that seems unimaginable when you consider the long ties between mainland Greece and the divided island.

AEK Athens (Giorgos Donis): Saja, Arambatzis, Edson Ramos Silva, Georgeas, Juanfran, Majstorovic, Alexopoulos, Rikka, Hetemaj, Kafes, Rivaldo, Pliatsikas, Lagos, Burns, Scocco, Pavlis, Zorbas, Blanco.

AEK has faced Cypriot clubs before, but never have they played Omonia. Aris and NK Slaven Koprivnica will also be meeting for the first time.

Both Aris and AEK will make their season debut in the 2nd Qualifying Round. The first leg of the round is schedule for August 14th, while the return will be played on August 28th.

2nd Qualifying Round Match-ups:

NK Široki Brijeg (BIH) vs. Beşiktaş JK (TUR)

SC Braga (POR) vs. NK Zrinjski (BIH)

PFC Lokomotiv Sofia (BUL) vs. FK Borac (SRB)

FK Vojvodina (SRB) vs. Hapoel Tel-Aviv FC (ISR)

Aris Thessaloniki FC (GRE) vs. NK Slaven Koprivnica (CRO)

PFC Litex Lovech (BUL) vs. Hapoel Ironi Kiryat Shmona FC (ISR)

RC Deportivo La Coruña (ESP) vs. HNK Hajduk Split (CRO)

APOEL FC (CYP) vs. FK Crvena Zvezda (SRB)

KS Vllaznia (ALB) vs. SSC Napoli (ITA)

Maccabi Netanya FC (ISR) vs. PFC Cherno More Varna (BUL)

AC Omonia (CYP) vs. AEK Athens FC (GRE)

SK Liepájas Metalurgs (LVA) vs. SC Vaslui (ROU)

FC Zürich (SUI) vs. SK Sturm Graz (AUT)

VfB Stuttgart (GER) vs. Győri ETO FC (HUN)

KKS Lech Poznań (POL) vs. Grasshopper-Club (SUI)

FC Slovan Liberec (CZE) vs. MŠK Žilina (SVK)

FC WIT Georgia (GEO) vs. FK Austria Wien (AUT)

BSC Young Boys (SUI) vs. Debreceni VSC (HUN)

Legia Warszawa (POL) vs. FC Moskva (RUS)

FC Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (UKR) vs. AC Bellinzona (SUI)

NK IB Ljubljana (SVN) vs. Hertha BSC Berlin (GER)

FK Sūduva (LTU) vs. FC Salzburg (AUT)

Djurgårdens IF FF (SWE) vs. Rosenborg BK (NOR)

Queen of the South FC (SCO) vs. FC Nordsjælland (DEN)

KAA Gent (BEL) vs. Kalmar FF (SWE)

Manchester City FC (ENG) vs. FC Midtjylland (DEN)

FC Honka Espoo (FIN) vs. Viking FK (NOR)

FC Haka (FIN) vs. Brøndby IF (DEN)

Stabæk IF (NOR) vs. Stade Rennais FC (FRA)

FC København (DEN) vs. Lillestrøm SK (NOR)

IF Elfsborg (SWE) vs. Saint Patrick’s Athletic FC (IRL)

Aston Villa FC (ENG) vs. FH Hafnarfjördur (ISL)

The draw, which is split up into three different European regions, sees both of the Greek clubs included in the list of seeded clubs in the Southern-Mediterranean region. By being seeded in this region, AEK and Aris will be paired with an opponent from the same region’s list of unseeded clubs. The second qualifying round is a knockout round lasting two legs — home an away. Winners of each tie will progress to the next round, known as the first round.

The second qualifying round will feature 74 clubs: 37 winners from the first qualifying round; 11 winners from the third round of the UEFA Intertoto Cup; and 16 clubs making their first appearance in European competition this year.

Southern-Mediterranean Region

Seeded teams

Deportivo (Spain)
Beşiktaş (Turkey)
Braga (Portugal)
AEK Athens (Greece)
Hapoel Tel Aviv (Israel)
Napoli (Italy)
Aris Thessaloniki (Greece)
Litex Lovech (Bulgaria)
Red Star Belgrade (Serbia)
Vaslui (Romania)
Lokomotiv Sofia (Bulgaria)
Cherno More (Bulgaria)

Unseeded teams

Hajduk Split (Croatia)
Vojvodina (Serbia)
Borac Čačak (Serbia)
Maccabi Netanya (Israel)
Ironi Kiryat Shmona (Israel)
Slaven Belupo (Croatia)
APOEL (Cyprus)
Omonia (Cyprus)
Interblock Ljubljana (Slovenia)
Vllaznia Shkodër (Albania)
Zrinjski Mostar (Bosnia Herzegovina)
Široki Brijeg (Bosnia Herzegovina)

Central-East Region

Seeded teams

Stuttgart (Germany)
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk (Ukraine)
Austria Wien (Austria)
Hertha BSC (Germany)
Rennes (France)
Zürich (Switzerland)
Grasshopper (Switzerland)
Slovan Liberec (Czech Republic)
FC Moscow (Russia)
Debrecen (Hungary) ***

Unseeded teams

Red Bull Salzburg (Austria)
Young Boys (Swizerland)
Bellinzona (Swizerland)
Lech Poznań (Poland)
Sturm Graz (Austria)
Legia Warsaw (Poland)
MŠK Žilina (Slovakia)
WIT Georgia (Georgia)
Győri ETO (Hungary)

Northern Region

Seeded teams

Rosenborg (Norway)
Manchester City (England)
Aston Villa (England)
Copenhagen (Denmark)
Brøndby (Denmark)
Viking (Norway)
Queen of the South (Scotland)
Gent (Belgium)
Elfsborg (Sweden)
Lillestrøm (Norway)
Stabæk (Norway) ***

Unseeded teams

Midtjylland (Denmark)
Nordsjælland (Denmark)
Djurgården (Sweden)
Kalmar (Sweden)
Haka (Finland)
Honka (Finland_
FH (Iceland)
Liepājas Metalurgs (Latvia)
Sūduva (Lithuania)
St Patrick’s Athletic (Republic of Ireland)

*** Due to the uneven number of clubs in the Central-East and Northern Regions, Debrecen (Hungary) and Stabæk (Norway) are classified as ‘unknown teams. This means they will be drawn against a seeded team from another region.