A matchup between two teams (7:30 p.m.) exactly in the middle of the standings, having experienced different situations this season and having to manage and overcome various challenges before finding their stride.
Aris, after the first two matchdays, in which they earned six points, has since failed to secure a positive result in the league. They’ve shown a lack of scoring ability, and they may not have fully recovered mentally from the 5-0 loss to AEK in Nea Filadelfia.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
A small, initial reaction may have emerged in the Superbet Cup match against Marko, but it’s not enough. Following that devastating and dismal 5-0 loss to “Enosis,” there was a draw against Asteras Tripolis and a 2-0 defeat by PAOK in the Thessaloniki derby.
Unlike Aris, which has already tasted victory (against Kalamata and OFI in the first two matchdays), Heraklis is still… finding its footing. And with Walter Mazzarri already facing immense pressure since the first 20 days of September, the situation is by no means favorable or supportive for the “Old Guard.”
The return to the Stoiximan Super League after about a decade has shown the team that it needs to raise its level of play to compete with the other teams in the league, but that Italian finesse still… hasn’t made an impact.
For the match at “K. Vikelidis Stadium,” even though the two clubs had agreed to allow visiting fans to attend, Yiannis Vroutsis did not give his consent, and so the “Old Man’s” fans were barred from traveling.
As for Aris’s lineup, Kantevere is expected to return, and Alfarella also has a chance to play. Palasios may be out, and there’s a question mark regarding Jensen, who has been sidelined.
On the other side, Heraklis—in addition to its long-term absentees—recently signed Sante Silva (winger, Hapoel Tel Aviv) and Adam Zuljević (forward, Genoa).
Probable starting lineups:
Aris (4-2-3-1): Velio, Fadiga, Fabiano, Sútalo, Richards, Račić, Jensen, Manou, Gianniotas, Garé, Kantevere
Heraklis (5-4-1): Athanasiadis, Soria, Vouros, Pinia, Vitor, Nanou, Rose, Kaiboué, Sourlis, Nizet, Pedro
*photo source: KYPE
