They are no longer a surprise package

This season represented a big bet for PAS Giannina. The post-Gianniki era found Iraklis Metaxas at the helm. The squad is quite different, and there were a lot of question marks at the Zosimades before the season began.

The performances on the pitch, however, have exceeded all expectations. PAS is one of the best teams in this year’s Super League Interwetten, boasting the second best defense in the league, with the Epirus club currently in third place in the standings and playing excellent football.

The Ioannina club have won against PAOK, Panathinaikos and Aris so far, while they come into this game on the back of two consecutive victories over Lamia and Volos via 1-0 and 3-2 scorelines respectively.

Team work, and a lot of protagonists

PAS have enjoyed the contributions of many different protagonists during the season to date. Lodygin has been superb between the posts, giving his teammates a feeling of security at the back.

Saliakas at right-back has been a revelation of a player providing plenty of options in both defence and attack, while Erramuspe has been a dominant force in the center of the defense, while also being a threat in atack with five goals so far. Perea also already has three goals to his name and has been a constant menace for opposing defenses.

In addition to the above, Peersman, Karachalios, Dominguez and Kargas have all played an important role, making up an excellent team with a wealth of talent in both defense and attack.

Absentees and returnees against PAOK

Iraklis Metaxas is able to call on Gardawski and Milinceanu, both of whom have overcome their injury problems, but he is without Perea and Karachalios, who are suspended. Pedro Conte remains sidelined since the start of the season.