Chelsea eye win against PAOK away in 2018/19 UEFA Europa League
Kick-off : 7:55 PM (Local)
Venue : Toumba Stadium, Thessaloniki
Chelsea would be disappointed that they are not playing in this year’s UEFA Champions League and are instead in the UEFA Europa League. But still their’s a trophy to be won and they will be eager from inside.
The Blues begin their campaign away in Greece against local outfit PAOK. It should be a regular game for them but complacency should be avoided.
Chelsea are all but guaranteed progression to next round with the group containing the likes of PAOK, BATE Borisov and Videoton.
On the other hand, PAOK will be out their to gain experience from playing against the likes of Chelsea at least in the first game. But they have good chances against the other two teams in the group.
PAOK are the next best team in the group after Chelsea and should make it to the next round but will have to play their best football.
So far Chelsea and PAOK have never played each other before.
Team news and possible line-ups
Leo Matos will not be available for PAOK for the Chelsea game as due to suspension.
As for Chelsea, Ruben Loftus-Cheek will not be available as due to injury. While Emerson, Mateo Kovacic and Cesc Fabregas are all doubts.
PAOK XI : Paschalakis, Malezas, Crespo, Varela, Freitas, S. Junior, Canas, Kaddouri, Lima, Biseswar, Prijovic.
Chelsea XI : Caballero, Moses, Christensen, Cahill, Palmieri, Ampadu, Fabregas, Barkley, Zappacosta, Pedro, Morata.
Prediction
It should be a good game as both teams will give their all but in the end I expect Chelsea to get the job done and earn three points. They might win 1-0.
