Chelsea will look to secure consecutive victories in the 2024-25 Conference League as they head to Greece to take on Panathinaikos at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis on Thursday evening.The Blues started their European campaign with a 4-2 home win against Gent three weeks ago, while Panathinaikos opened with a 1-1 draw against Bosnian side Borac Banja Luka.Chelsea had been enjoying a strong run in the Premier League, collecting 14 points from a six-match unbeaten streak between late August and early October. However, their momentum took a hit last weekend with a 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield. Nicolas Jackson’s second-half equalizer briefly leveled the match, canceling out Mohamed Salah’s first-half penalty, but Liverpool responded quickly, with Curtis Jones scoring the winning goal just minutes later, handing Chelsea their first away loss in the league this season.Despite the setback, head coach Enzo Maresca praised his team’s display, describing it as “one of the best of the season.” He remains confident that his squad is heading in the “right direction.” Currently sitting sixth in the Premier League and just three points behind the top four, Chelsea’s focus now shifts back to the Conference League as they prepare for their first-ever encounter with Panathinaikos.Chelsea players arrive in Athens. 💙 pic.twitter.com/8ljZX150AF— Frank Khalid OBE (@FrankKhalidUK) October 24, 2024 The Blues have a strong track record against Greek teams in European competitions, boasting four wins and two draws. However, those two draws came in Greece: a 0-0 tie with Olympiacos in the 2007-08 Champions League last 16 and a 1-1 draw with Aris Thessaloniki in the 1970-71 Cup Winners’ Cup.Panathinaikos recently ended a three-match winless streak with a 1-0 away victory over OFI in the Greek Super League last weekend. The emotional victory, dedicated to the late George Baldock, was secured thanks to a sixth-minute goal by Brazilian winger Tete. This win lifted them to sixth place in the table, five points behind joint leaders Aris Thessaloniki and PAOK after eight rounds.While Panathinaikos will have one eye on their crucial upcoming league fixture against Aris Thessaloniki on Sunday, they must first focus on Thursday’s European test against Chelsea, widely considered their toughest challenge in the ‘group’ stage.The Greek side will likely welcome the home advantage, as they’ve lost just five of their 23 home games in 2024 and are unbeaten in their last four at the Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis, including a recent 0-0 draw with reigning Conference League champions Olympiacos.🇬🇷☘️ The sort of atmosphere Panathinaikos fans will create for their match against Chelsea tonight! 😳The stadium is expected to be at full capacity for this match, according to Greek media. pic.twitter.com/4ApNz5u8Ij— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) October 24, 2024 However, their history against English sides in Europe is far from encouraging, with just one win from 18 encounters, alongside six draws and 11 defeats. Their most recent clash with an English club saw them lose 3-1 away to Tottenham Hotspur in the 2012-13 Europa League group stage, though they did manage a 1-1 home draw earlier in that campaign.In terms of team news, Panathinaikos will be without their captain Fotis Ioannidis, who is sidelined with an adductor injury. Dimitris Limnios, Zeca, and Tonny Vilhena are also unavailable, having been excluded from the club’s Conference League roster. Andraz Sporar is doubtful due to illness, meaning Alexander Jeremejeff may lead the attack, with support from former Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri, Anastasios Bakasetas, and Filip Djuricic.Polish goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski is expected to start in goal, shielded by a back four likely to include Giannis Kotsiras, Tin Jedvaj, Sverrir Ingi Ingason, and Filip Mladenovic. In midfield, Adam Gnezda Cerin could be joined by Nemanja Maksimovic, Willian Arao, or Azzedine Ounahi.Mudryk’s ex-director slams Chelsea: you don’t know how to drive a FerrariFor Chelsea, several notable names will be absent. Cole Palmer, Romeo Lavia, and Wesley Fofana are not part of the club’s Conference League squad. Additionally, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Moises Caicedo, and Nicolas Jackson will all be rested for the trip to Greece.Goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen is hopeful of recovering from a head injury in time to start, potentially taking Robert Sanchez’s place between the posts. In defense, Axel Disasi is expected to fill in at right-back, with either Marc Cucurella or Renato Veiga starting on the left.Pedro Neto and Christopher Nkunku, both scorers in Chelsea’s victory over Gent, could return to the lineup on Thursday. Joao Felix and Mykhaylo Mudryk are also in contention for attacking roles, while Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Cesare Casadei will vie for starting positions in midfield.UEFA CONFERENCE LEAGUE – ROUND 3Thursday17:30: (5.90) Vikingur (4.00) Cercle Brugge (1.58)19:45: (1.48) Apoel Nicosia (4.20) Borac Banja Luka (7.25)19:45: (2.95) Celje (3.35) Basaksehir (2.40)19:45: (3.00) Djurgarden (3.30) Guimaraes (2.40)19:45: (1.88) Gent (3.50) Molde (4.20)19:45: (2.50) Hearts (3.30) Omonia (2.85)19:45: (1.38) Jagiellonia (4.80) Petrocub (8.50)19:45: (2.75) Larne (3.20) Shamrock (2.65)19:45: (5.50) Panathinaikos (3.70) Chelsea (1.67)19:45: (1.42) Rapid (4.50) Noah (7.75)19:45: (5.30) St.Galen (3.60) Fiorentina (1.70)22:00: (1.80) Betis (3.50) Copenhagen (4.70)22:00: (2.20) Helsinki (3.40) Dinamo Minsk (3.30)22:00: (2.95) M.Boleslav (3.35) Lugano (2.40)22:00: (2.40) Olimpija (3.40) LASK (2.95)22:00: (2.95) Paphos (3.35) Heidenheim (2.40)22:00: (3.25) TNS (3.45) Astana (2.20)22:00: (3.60) TSC Backa Topola (3.40) Legia (2.10)***odds are subject to change***
