Panathinaikos vs Chelsea Predictions

• Panathinaikos sit sixth in Super League Greece and have only won one of their last five European games
• Chelsea’s seven-match unbeaten run was ended by Liverpool last time out
• The Blues are unbeaten in six previous matches against Greek opposition

Blues should ease to victory in Athens

Chelsea will be keen to right the wrongs of Sunday’s defeat to Liverpool and a trip to Athens to take on a slightly out-of-form Panathinaikos could prove the ideal fixture.

Greek giants Panathinaikos have only won one of their last five European matches and they are also struggling domestically, sitting sixth in Super League Greece, five points behind early pacesetters Aris.

By contrast, Chelsea were unbeaten in seven before their narrow loss at Anfield, winning five of those, including against Gent in this competition. Expect Enzo Maresca’s side to make it two wins from two in this league phase.

A clean-sheet unlikely for Maresca’s men

Chelsea’s 4-2 victory over Gent on matchday one highlights what has been a major issue for the Blues so far this season, their inability to keep a clean-sheet.

They have only shut four opponents out in 12 matches to date this term and one of those was against League Two Barrow in the EFL Cup.

Panathinaikos have shown their goalscoring prowess against Lens and Ajax in Europe already this season and they can net against what is likely to be a much-changed Chelsea team.

However, the Blues should win this with something to spare. They are unbeaten in six previous matches against Greek opposition, winning four of those, and a 3-1 victory could be on the cards for Maresca’s men on Thursday.