ATHENS, Greece (Interstat) — AEK Athens delivered a commanding performance to solidify its position atop the Greek Super League 1, defeating rival PAOK Thessaloniki 3-0 on Sunday at a raucous Agia Sophia Stadium.

The victory extends AEK’s formidable domestic campaign to 19 wins against just two losses and three draws, maintaining a significant lead in the title race. PAOK, which entered the match with only one league loss this season, saw its record adjust to nine wins, one loss and five draws.

The match, a highly anticipated clash between two of Greece’s top clubs, defied a pregame projection from Interstat that forecast a 1-1 draw. The data firm’s Elo rating system gave AEK an 84.1% probability to win, a forecast the home side emphatically fulfilled.

After a tense opening half-hour that saw four yellow cards, AEK broke through in the 36th minute. Substitute defender Tomasz Kędziora, who had entered the match early, found the net to give the hosts a lead they would not relinquish.

PAOK struggled to mount a consistent threat, and AEK put the game out of reach with two goals in a seven-minute span late in the second half. Forward Aboubakary Koïta doubled the advantage in the 73rd minute, assisted by midfielder Mijat Gaćinović. Just seven minutes later, forward Orbelín Pineda sealed the comprehensive victory, finishing a play set up by substitute Jorge Sánchez.

The assist from Sánchez was one of four issued by AEK substitutes, underscoring the depth of the squad. Christos Zafeiris and Ioannis Konstantelias also recorded assists off the bench.

The result continues AEK’s dominance in recent head-to-head meetings, having now gone unbeaten in the last three matches against PAOK across all competitions, including a 4-0 win in January and a scoreless draw in February. PAOK’s last victory over AEK was a 2-0 result on Oct. 19, 2025.

The disciplinary tally was notable, with all four yellow cards issued in the first 51 minutes. AEK’s Sánchez was booked in the 4th minute, followed by PAOK’s Gaćinović in the 30th. AEK substitutes Zafeiris and Konstantelias received cautions in the 47th and 51st minutes, respectively.

The win strengthens AEK’s status as the clear domestic frontrunner, boasting 27 wins, three losses and seven draws across all competitions this season. PAOK’s overall record moved to 24 wins, 14 losses and 15 draws.

Both teams now look ahead to the final stretch of the season. AEK’s next match is a pivotal away fixture against Panathinaikos on May 3. PAOK will host Olympiakos on the same date. The rivals are scheduled to meet again in Thessaloniki on May 13 in a match that could have significant implications for the final league standings.