Preview
Levadiakos have been heavily weakened compared with last season. The club lost almost all of its key players such as Lodygin, Magnusson, Tsapras, Čokaj, Palacios, Verbič, Balzi, Layous and Ožbolt.
Coach Papadopoulos has also left, moving to Cyprus, while the new arrivals are decent players but, in my opinion, not at the level of last season’s core. Levadiakos were arguably the fifth or sixth-best team in Greece last season, but after such significant changes, I have serious doubts that they can finish inside the top eight this time.
Panathinaikos enter the new season with enormous ambitions. They have gone 16 years without winning the Greek championship, but the club has made it clear that ending that drought is the priority.
Their summer recruitment has significantly strengthened the squad, with several quality additions already completed and three more quality players reportedly expected to arrive in the coming days. In addition, six or seven important players from last season remain and should provide continuity.
For me, Panathinaikos are clearly stronger than PAOK and now much closer to Olympiacos and AEK in terms of squad quality. They have the depth, experience and ambition required to compete for the title.
The atmosphere should also favor the visitors, with a large Panathinaikos following expected in the stadium. The good relationship between the two clubs presidents should further ensure a calm environment around the fixture.
Levadiakos have lost too much quality, while Panathinaikos have strengthened considerably and have a clear objective from the very beginning.