On Thursday evening, Chelsea will take on Greek side Panathinaikos at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis in the second fixture of their UEFA Conference League group stage campaign. With both teams aiming to build momentum in the competition, the clash promises an intriguing matchup between two clubs with differing recent fortunes.
Chelsea will look to maintain their winning start in the group following their thrilling 4-2 victory over Gent at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, Panathinaikos secured only a point from their opener, drawing 1-1 with Borac Banja Luka.
Chelsea’s Recent Form and Objectives
Chelsea enter the encounter with a mixed run of performances. Their unbeaten streak of six Premier League games came to an end last weekend, with a 2-1 loss away to Liverpool. Nicolas Jackson had managed to equalize for the Blues early in the second half after Mohamed Salah’s penalty, but Curtis Jones’ swift response restored Liverpool’s lead and sealed the result. Despite the loss, head coach Enzo Maresca expressed satisfaction with his team’s display, describing it as “one of the best performances of the season.”
Currently sixth in the Premier League, Chelsea are just three points adrift of the top four. They have a busy schedule ahead, with crucial league matches against Newcastle United and Manchester United on the horizon. However, Maresca has emphasized the importance of maintaining focus on their Conference League objectives, as the team aims to continue its positive start in Europe.
Chelsea’s record against Greek opposition has been strong historically, with four wins and two draws from six encounters. Although both draws came on Greek soil, the Blues will be confident heading into their first-ever competitive meeting with Panathinaikos. The last time Chelsea faced Greek opponents was in the 2007-08 Champions League, when they played out a 0-0 draw with Olympiacos in Piraeus.
Panathinaikos’ Struggles and Recent Recovery
Panathinaikos come into Thursday’s fixture buoyed by a morale-boosting 1-0 victory over OFI in the Greek Super League. Brazilian winger Tete’s early goal sealed the win, ending a three-match winless streak for the Greens. This result held particular emotional significance, as it came shortly after the tragic death of George Baldock, a key player who passed away unexpectedly at the age of 31.
Despite their recent struggles, Panathinaikos currently sit sixth in the domestic league, five points behind joint leaders PAOK and Aris Thessaloniki. Head coach Diego Alonso will need to carefully manage his squad, with a key league encounter against Aris on the horizon. Nonetheless, the visit of Chelsea presents a valuable opportunity for the Greek side to test themselves against one of the strongest teams in the Conference League.
Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis has been a source of strength for Panathinaikos, as they have lost only five of their 23 home matches in 2024. Their recent home form includes a 0-0 draw with reigning Conference League champions Olympiacos, further showcasing their defensive resilience. However, the club’s record against English teams in European competition is poor, having secured only one win from 18 meetings, with six draws and 11 losses. The last time they faced an English opponent was against Tottenham Hotspur in the 2012-13 Europa League, earning a 1-1 home draw before losing 3-1 in the return leg.
Team News and Possible Lineups
Panathinaikos Team News
The Greek side faces several absences, with captain Fotis Ioannidis sidelined due to an adductor injury. In addition, Dimitris Limnios, Zeca, and Tonny Vilhena are unavailable as they were left out of the Conference League squad. There is also a question mark over the fitness of Andraz Sporar, who missed the win over OFI due to illness. If Sporar is not fit, Alexander Jeremejeff is expected to lead the line.
Panathinaikos will likely rely on Facundo Pellistri, a former Manchester United winger, along with Anastasios Bakasetas and Filip Duricic to create chances in the final third. Polish goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski is set to retain his place between the posts, supported by a back four consisting of Giannis Kotsiras, Tin Jedvaj, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, and Filip Mladenovic. The midfield will likely feature Adam Gnezda Cerin and Nemanja Maksimovic, with Willian Arao or Azzedine Ounahi also competing for a spot.
Predicted Panathinaikos XI:
Dragowski; Kotsiras, Jedvaj, Ingason, Mladenovic; Maksimovic, Cerin; Pellistri, Bakasetas, Duricic; Jeremejeff
Chelsea Team News
Chelsea have made some strategic squad decisions for their Conference League campaign, with Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana all omitted from the European roster. Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen, who missed the Liverpool game due to a head injury, will be assessed ahead of kickoff. If unavailable, Marcus Bettinelli could step in between the posts.
Maresca is expected to rotate his squad to manage player workloads. Reece James, who recently made his first start of the season after a long injury layoff, is unlikely to start back-to-back games. Axel Disasi or Malo Gusto could replace him at right-back. In midfield, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Cesare Casadei will be pushing for starting roles after solid performances in recent weeks.
The Blues are likely to field a dynamic attack, with Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku both expected to feature. Joao Felix and Mykhaylo Mudryk are also in contention for starting roles, offering pace and creativity in the final third. Chelsea will aim to dominate possession and exploit any defensive weaknesses in the Panathinaikos setup.
Predicted Chelsea XI:
Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku
Tactical Preview and Prediction
The game is expected to feature contrasting styles, with Chelsea likely to dominate possession and Panathinaikos focusing on disciplined defending and counterattacks. Maresca’s team has shown fluidity in attack, with Nkunku and Neto playing pivotal roles in creating chances. Chelsea will also seek to exploit the flanks, with Mudryk’s pace and Felix’s creativity likely to test the Panathinaikos defense.
Panathinaikos, on the other hand, will need to remain compact and organized, hoping to catch Chelsea off guard on the break. Bakasetas and Pellistri could be key to their counter-attacking efforts, while Jeremejeff will need to make the most of any scoring opportunities that come his way.
Given Chelsea’s quality and depth, they are the favorites to secure all three points. However, Panathinaikos’ solid home form and emotional motivation could make this a closer contest than expected. Chelsea’s ability to convert their dominance into goals will be crucial to avoiding any surprises.
Prediction:
Panathinaikos 1-3 Chelsea
While the Greek side will offer some resistance, Chelsea’s superior squad depth and attacking prowess should see them come away with a comfortable win. Nkunku and Neto are likely to be among the standout performers, with the Blues well-positioned to take another step toward qualification from the group stage.
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