(3-4-3) Felix and Mudryk Decision”, Predicted Chelsea line up vs Panathinaikos – as Maresca set to test some players in New position
Chelsea are on their travels in midweek as they face Panathinaikos in their second league phase game of the 2024/25 Conference League.
While Enzo Maresca insisted he was not happy with Sunday’s outing at Liverpool, the Chelsea boss wouldn’t have been too disheartened with his side’s 2-1 defeat at Anfield. His team have slipped to sixth in the Premier League, but there’s a continental adventure to mitigate before Newcastle United visit Stamford Bridge this weekend.
Panathinaikos qualified for the Conference League by virtue of a fourth-place finish in the Greek Super League last season, and they progressed into the league phase after an impressive two-legged win over Lens in the play-offs.
Thursday’s hosts, who sit sixth in the Greek top flight this season, started their campaign with a 1-1 draw at Bosnian side Borac on Matchday 1, while Chelsea topped Gent 4-2 in west London.
Philipp Max, once of Augsburg and PSV Eindhoven, is unlikely to play on Thursday due to a muscle injury. The hosts are also without Dimitris Limnios, Zeca and Tonny Vilhena – three players who haven’t been included in Panathinaikos’ Conference League squad
Captain Fotis Ioannidis is absent with an adductor issue.
Andraz Sporar missed the weekend’s win over OFI through illness but is expected to recover in time for Thursday’s game. Former Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri should be included in the hosts’ XI.
Panathinaikos predicted lineup vs Chelsea
Panathinaikos predicted lineup vs Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Dragowski; Kotsiras, Jedvaj, Ingason, Mladenovic; Maksimovic, Cerin; Pellistri, Bakasetas, Djuricic; Jeremejeff
We know that Maresca will be making wholesale changes from the team that lost at Anfield on Sunday, but there’s doubt as to whether goalkeeper Filip Jorgensen will be able to feature due to a head injury.
Wesley Fofana and Marc Cucurella were suspended against Liverpool but will be preserved for the weekend, and there could be a start for Enzo Fernandez, who was left out of the XI on Sunday.
Reece James’ minutes will be managed, so we should see Axel Disasi start at right-back, while Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku are sure bets to earn opportunities in attack.
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Panathinaikos
Chelsea predicted lineup vs Panathinaikos (4-2-3-1): Jorgensen; Disasi, Tosin, Badiashile, Veiga; Fernandez, Dewsbury-Hall; Neto, Felix, Mudryk; Nkunku.
Panathinaikos vs Chelsea score prediction
The home side certainly aren’t shy of talent, but their start to the season has been pretty underwhelming. New manager Diego Alonso has sound credentials, but this Panathinaikos team are yet to find their groove. However, Chelsea are entering a tough environment on Thursday and are unlikely to blow past their hosts.
Maresca will rotate heavily, but his reserve team have so far shown impressive cohesion. They were impressive in spells against Gent, but it’s one thing performing in the cosy warmth of Stamford Bridge against inferior opposition. This will be a different kettle of fish.
Overall, it wouldn’t be a major surprise if the hosts earned a result against the Blues.
Prediction: Panathinaikos 1-1 Chelsea
