Andreas Bouchalakis

Aris beat crosstown rival PAOK in a bitter derby on Sunday to stay two points behind leader Olympiakos that trounced table-propping Lamia.

The Thessaloniki derbies always tend to be hard-fought, but this season the Aris vs PAOK encounter at the Kleanthis Vikelidis Stadium had some added interest from the fact the two teams are among the Super League table's top-three.

Champion PAOK unexpectedly dropped two points on Sunday at the club it is alleged to share the same owner, Xanthi, and finished the regular season of the Super League seven points behind leader Olympiakos.

The Reds will therefore need eight wins in the 10 games of the playoffs to clinch the title. The playoffs begin on March 7 and the draw for the schedule will take place on March 3.

PAOK edged ever closer to its first league crown since 1985 with its win at Xanthi on Sunday, while Olympiakos came from behind to beat Atromitos at home.

The Thessaloniki giant is four games away from an unbeaten title, after seeing off Xanthi 2-1, goals coming from Sergio Oliveira and Pedro Enrique. Dinis Almeida pulled one back for the Thrace club.

Panionios beat PAOK and Lamia held Olympiakos to a score draw in the opening games of the quarterfinals of the Greek Cup in midweek, while AEK and Asteras Tripolis have taken a clear advantage after the first leg.