The performance of Martins, El Kaabi and the axis players will judge a lot

The derbies of the Greek league are usually judged by the players – personalities. Of course, an important role is played by the tactics of the coaches, the reasoning with which they approach the game, the surprises they may have in store for people, the players who may come off the bench and make the difference and of course which team will be in the best position situation on that particular day.

From Olympiakos’ point of view, and since there are four significant absences of football players – in relation to the original plan – of Ese, Velde, Willian and Yazizi, the “key” persons for the game with AEK (24/11, 20:30, COSMOTE SPORT 1HD, LIVE SPORT24) are the following: In the first line are El Kaabi and Martins.

The Moroccan centre-forward is Olympiakos’ top scorer in all competitions (he has 11 goals and two assists in 16 games in all competitions this season) and the Piraeus side are highly dependent on his goals and performance.

On the other hand, the Portuguese footballer is the most reliable winger at the moment in the Red and Whites and he proved it in the game against PAOK in Toumba, where he had a goal and an assist.

Martins has two goals and six assists in 13 games and it will be important for Mendiliber to go well against the “yellow and black”, since only Masouras and conventional winger Rodiney are available for the flanks of the attack.

From there, as far as the axis is concerned, a lot will be judged by Garthia’s performance and his collaboration with Mouzakitis (they did great in the match against PAOK anyway), by the image of Tsikinios or Kostoulas, depending on who will be preferred, as will the effectiveness of Retsu and Karmo.

Quite a few changes from 2-0 last May

Otherwise, Olympiacos will present itself with several changes in its eleven, in relation to its 2-0 victory over AEK last May in Karaiskakis. First of all, the injured Ese will not play and Fortounis (who had a brace in the 0-0), Pontense and Horta who had scored both goals of the match (65′, 92′) are no longer on the roster.

Garcia, Martins (he was substituted in the 81′), Costinia and Kostoulas are expected to play in these positions. Also, Doi and Apostolopoulos had started in the match, while now, of course, Retsos and Ortega will be in the starting lineup.

It is worth emphasizing that Olympiakos’ way of playing is now different compared to last season. However, the goal was and remains the same, the victory that will allow the Piraeus team to stay at the top of the standings.