Panathinaikos vs. Chelsea: Prediction, Preview & Betting Tips

Chelsea are in very good shape heading into this one and it's hard to see them coming up short. Chelsea have scored 17 goals in their last five games, making them a ruthless attacking unit.

The Blues have lost only once this season in a game that was effectively a dead rubber at the time - a 2-1 defeat against Servette in a second leg tie.

Both teams to score has occurred in all of Chelsea's last three games so we expect that trend to continue here.

Ultimately, Panathinaikos are likely not in good enough form to take advantage of Chelsea's rotations, so the Blues should continue their fine form. Panathinaikos 1-3 Chelsea.

Chelsea travel to Athens to take on Panathinaikos this week in what looks like an interesting encounter on paper.

• Date: 24/10/2024
• Kick-off time: 17:45
• Location: Olympic Stadium, Athens

Panathinaikos, one of the most illustrious clubs in Greek football, have has a pretty tough start to their season, both domestically and in Europe. Their Conference League campaign began with a solitary point from their opening game, leaving them 19th in the standings, a placing that mirrors their inconsistent form in the league, where they currently sit in 8th place after seven games. Two wins, three draws, and two losses marks a run of form suggestive of a lack of consistency that has largely been the defining characteristic of much of their opening couple of months of the season.

The Athens-based club have a rich history on the continent but their European pedigree is somewhat limited, with their greatest achievement remaining a runners-up finish in the 1970-71 European Cup, where they were beaten by an Ajax side that's still regarded as one of the greatest the game has seen. Since then, their successes in European competition have been few and far between, with the Greek club having never lifted a major continental trophy. This season is only the second time Panathinaikos have qualified for the UEFA Conference League, having been knocked out by Slavia Prague in the third qualifying in the 2022-23 campaign.

Historically, Panathinaikos have struggled against English opposition, managing just one win from 18 historical encounters, losing 11 of those, a record that reflects the disparity in quality between the two leagues over the years, and it's not too likely that their record is going to improve here. Despite playing at home, where Greek sides often rely on the passionate support of their fans to create an intimidating atmosphere, Panathinaikos will need more than just fervent backing from the stands if they are to stop Chelsea taking three points.

Chelsea, meanwhile, have had a very promising start to the campaign. Currently sitting 6th in the Conference League table after a win in their first match, the West London club will be looking to consolidate their position with another win. While the UEFA Conference League is clearly not their primary focus this season, it's still a big opportunity for the club to add its illustrious record in Europe, as Chelsea have the chance to become the first team to win all three major European trophies, having already lifted the Champions League and Europa League in previous years.

Chelsea’s early-season form has been encouraging, with the club performing well under new manager Enzo Maresca. The Italian, who replaced Mauricio Pochettino in the summer, arrived with plenty of scepticism surrounding his appointment, with many questioning whether Maresca, who had previously been part of Pep Guardiola’s coaching team at Manchester City and had limited managerial experience, could succeed at a club like Chelsea, where the pressure to deliver results is immense, while there was also concern about his ostensibly rigid tactical approach.

However, Maresca has proved to be adaptable and versatile, and his approach thus far looks to be maximising the talents of the likes of Cole Palmer and Noni Madueke. While there were concerns that his tactical methods would be too rigid, he has shown a commendable ability to vary his approach, blending the possession-based style he absorbed under Guardiola with a more transition-heavy outlook when required.

Despite this, the Conference League is clearly not Chelsea’s top priority; the club’s decision to leave out star man Cole Palmer from their squad for this competition makes it clear that they have bigger fish to fry this season.

However, Chelsea’s desire to win the Conference League will likely increase as they move through the competition. The chance to complete the set of European trophies is a rare and enticing prospect for the club, and it's hard to see how that wouldn't become a bigger priority as it becomes a more tangible prospect further down the line.

This game will be televised live to UK viewers on TNT Sports.

Panathinaikos Team News:

The Greek side are in good shape and come into this one with no new injury worries.

Serbian Filip Đuričić is the club's top scorer so far this season and he'll be looking to add to his tally.

Predicted lineup: Lodygin; Kotsiras, Jedvaj, Ingason, Mladenović; Arão, Čerin; Tetê, Bakasetas, Đuričić; Ioannidis.

Chelsea Team News:

After Reece James' return from another spell on the sidelines, the Blues come into this game with a fully fit squad to pick from.

Enzo Maresca will make a wealth of changes for this game, with João Félix, Christopher Nkunku and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall amongst those likely to come into the side.

Predicted lineup: Jörgensen; Disasi, Adarabioyo, Badiashile, Veiga; Casadei, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Félix, Mudryk; Nkunku.

Panathinaikos are in poor form having won only one of their last five games. Their latest outing saw them claim a hard-fought 1-0 win away at OFI, with Tetê providing the goal.

That game followed a draw 0-0 with rivals Olympiakos, a game that was preceded by a 1-1 draw against Borac Banja Luka.

Prior to that, Panathinaikos lost against city rivals AEK Athens, falling to a 2-0 defeat. That result was preceded by a 3-1 win over Panserraikos.

Before that, Panathinaikos drew 0-0 with PAOK, a game that completes what has been a very tough run of fixtures, in fairness to Panathinaikos.

Chelsea's form reads much positively, with the Blues losing just one of their last five games, winning four of those. Chelsea's most recent game was a 2-1 defeat at Anfield, where despite putting up a good showing they ultimately fell to a defeat, with Nicolas Jackson grabbing the goal.

Prior to that, Maresca's side recorded a 1-1 draw against Nottingham Forest, with Noni Madueke grabbing the goal.

A 4-2 win over Gent preceded that game, which followed another 4-2 win, this time over Brighton & Hove Albion.

Prior to that, Chelsea hammered Barrow 5-0 in the EFL Cup, which came after a comfortable 3-0 win over West Ham United.

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