The Pankritiko Stadium in Crete will be the setting for an intriguing clash between two clubs whose similarities - both on and off the pitch this season - are striking.

Whilst AEK certainly aren’t relegation candidates at this early stage, by their own standards they have endured a particularly disappointing start to the campaign that has left them eight points off league leaders Olympiakos.

The club has endured a turbulent season off the pitch, with former president Demis Nikolaidis twice announcing the end of his tenure – with immediate effect on the second occasion.

Former Larissa manager Giorgios Donis suffered for his club’s administrative uncertainties, departing after just ten games in charge.

It has set the stage for the return of controversial figure Dusan Bajevic to the club for his third spell as manager.

He will lead his side out on Sunday against an OFI outfit who will similarly be under the leadership of a new managerial figure, the experienced Ioannis Matzourakis, who will be looking to help the Cretans survive after a disastrous start to the season that has seen them slip into last place on the Greek Super League ladder.

The climate that surrounds his arrival is hardly stable, with much of the focus on the once-proud club surrounding a fan-base frustrated with an arguably outdated administration.