Panathinaikos host Chelsea in the league phase of 2024-25 UEFA Conference League.
Victory could lift Panathinaikos into the top eight depending on results elsewhere, whilst Chelsea can stay in the top eight with a win.
Team News
Panathinaikos will be without Fotis Ioannidis (adductor).
Dimitris Limnios, Tonny Vilhena and Zeca are ineligible for the Greek team.
Chelsea will welcome Marc Cucurella back, after he was suspended for their 2-1 Premier League loss at Liverpool – as was Wesley Fofana who is ineligible along with Romeo Lavia and Cole Palmer for this part of the Conference League.
Ben Chilwell (illness) could also return but Omari Kellyman (hamstring) remains ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Panathinaikos host Chelsea at Olympic Stadium, Athens, on Thursday 24 October at 7:45pm EEST (5:45pm UK Time), live on TNT Sport 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- This is Panathinaikos’ first ever meeting against Chelsea in all competitions.
- Chelsea are visiting Panathinaikos for the first time in a competitive fixture.
- Panathinaikos have won one of their nine previous home games against English opposition (W1, D4, L4).
- Andraz Sporar is the only Panathinaikos player who was caught offside in their opening 1-1 draw against Bosnia’s Borac Banja Luka.
- Christopher Nkunku has scored in all three of Chelsea’s Conference League matches this season (W2, L1).
Prediction
Often quite difficult to beat by larger than one-goal margins this season, Panathinaikos are not a team to underestimate but Ioannidis is a loss up front, although Andraz Sporar is a solid alternative.
Chelsea though will view this as winnable if can play as good as they did at Liverpool, where small defensive errors cost them a point but I do expect them to bounce back in a game that they should win.
I however do see Panathinaikos making it quite difficult defensively but with patience, Chelsea’s attack should see them through to the win.
Prediction: Panathinaikos 0-2 Chelsea
Result: Panathinaikos 1-4 Chelsea
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