Limassol derby takes centre stage in Cyprus

By Iacovos Constantinou

The Limassol derby between Apollonas and AEL stands out as the top fixture this weekend while third-placed Ermis Aradippou face a tricky tie against Anorthosis.

The most in-form team at the moment, AEK Larnaca, are at home to Omonia while relegation fodder Doxa Katokopias and Othellos clash in Nicosia.

Having caught APOEL at the top of the table, Apollonas will be looking to consolidate their position by beating local rivals AEL. Their coach Ioan Andone will be able to field his strongest eleven as both Sangoy and Merkis return after serving their one- game suspension.

AEL are currently languishing in 8th place and a win is vital to keep their hopes of a top-six finish intact. They welcome back midfield strongman Esteban Sachetti after a lengthy absence and newly signed Massamba Lo Sambou, brought in to shore up their leaky defence.

Ermis Aradippou make the short journey to the Antonis Papadopoulos stadium to face Anorthosis. The visitors, who a couple of weeks ago inflicted a first league defeat of the season on APOEL, hope to maintain their push for a top three finish but will probably be without Taralides and Moran.

Anorthosis lack experience but their young players more than make up for it with their skill, enthusiasm and passion.

AEK Larnaca, who have been playing the most exciting and entertaining football so far, are at home to inconsistent but always dangerous Omonia. The injured Mitides and newly signed Monteiro will not feature while Omonia’s coach will have to find answers for his backline as Stepanov has already left while Jonas Acquistapace has not turned up for training citing late salary payments.

Doxa Katokopias and Othellos Athienou clash on Saturday and a loss for either side will be a huge blow to their survival hopes.
New signing Vasconcelos will be spearheading Doxa’s frontline while another new signing Aresti should feature in midfield.

Ethnikos Achnas face faltering Nea Salamina with the visitors in desperate need of a win as they are perilously close to the danger zone. Ethnikos will be without Amensah and Pinto while Nea Salamina’s signing from Omonia, Grigalasvili, should start the game.

The final game of the round will take place between leaders APOEL and bottom of the table Agia Napa on Monday night.

Saturday, January 3rd : AEK vs Omonia (17.00) Doxa vs Othellos (19.00)
Sunday: January 4th : Apollonas vs AEL (15.00) Anorthosis vs Ermis (16.00) Ethnikos vs Nea Salamina
Monday, January 5th : APOEL vs Ayia Napa (19.00)

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.