Volos hosts AEK at Panthessaliko Stadium (6:00 p.m.) for Matchday 5 of the Stoiximan Super League, with its main goal being to put an end to its poor start to the season, while AEK is looking for its first road win of the season!
The team from Magnesia has yet to celebrate a league victory, with two draws and two losses, and is coming off a 3-1 defeat against Kalamata.
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Although they took the lead in the 26th minute thanks to Matías González, who continued his excellent scoring streak, they conceded three goals in the second half and left Peristeri without any points.
The biggest problem for Kostas Bratsos’s team so far has been on defense. Volos has failed to keep a clean sheet in any of the seven official matches it has played this season, having conceded a total of 11 goals.
Volos will take the field without five players, as the Greek coach cannot count on the services of Siampani, Urtado, Kampela, Tsochanis, and Bare, while Yuri Lodigin is expected to make his debut.
The roster: Lodigin, Gerofokas, Katsikas, Mygas, Tasiouras, Es Saoubi, Kargas, Atziakoua, Medil, Fabio, Bernitz, Komba, Garavelas, Grosdis, Neyiu, Regis, Furtado, Tzoka, Gonzalez, Lambrou, Charalamboglou
On the other hand, AEK wants to carry its excellent form from home games to away matches as well. AEK has five wins in as many home games across all competitions, with an impressive goal differential of 22-1.
Away from home, however, the picture is different. In the league, they are coming off a 1-1 draw in Tripoli against Asteras, while overall they have just one win in five away games this season, against Nestos Chrysoupolis.
The 8-1 victory over Panserraikos midweek in the Cup was, however, a significant confidence boost, with Marko Nikolić rotating his lineup extensively and his team scoring six times in the first half.
On the injury front, Varga suffered a muscle injury and will return after the break, while Strakosa remains sidelined. Zini is expected to take the Hungarian forward’s place, though there is a slight chance that Nikolis might opt for a formation with a single striker.
Possible starting lineups:
Volos Elabet (Kostas Bratsos): Lodigin, Mygas, Kargas, Es Saoubi, Medil, Komba, Gonzalez, Furtado, Regis, Lambrou, Charalamboglou.
AEK (Marko Nikolić): Strakosa, Rota, Mukundi, Relvas, Pilios, Vitalis, Marin, Mayer, Koïta, Zini, Jović.
*Photo source: AP
