Panathinaikos head coach Diego Alonso is expected to name a strong starting lineup for Thursday's Conference League showdown with Chelsea at Olympiako Stadio Spyros Louis.

The Greens will have to cope without captain Fotis Ioannidis, who is nursing an adductor injury, while striker Andraz Sporar is doubtful after missing last weekend's 1-0 win against OFI in the Greek Super League due to illness.

Panathinaikos, who are still mourning the tragic passing of George Baldock at the age of just 31, will also be without Dimitris Limnios, Zeca and Tonny Vilhena as they have all been left out of the club's Conference League squad.

Polish goalkeeper Bartlomiej Dragowski is expected to start between the sticks and could be protected by Giannis Kotsiras, Tin Jedvaj, Sverrir Ingi Ingason and Filip Mladenovic in a four-man defence.

Adam Gnezda Cerin could be joined in centre-midfield by Nemanja Maksimovic, although Willian Arao and Azzedine Ounahi - who impressed for Morocco at the 2022 World Cup - will be looking to force their way into the first XI.

Anastasios Bakasetas is poised to retain his spot in a central attacking role, with ex-Manchester United winger Facundo Pellistri and Filip Duricic set to operate on the flanks as Alexander Jeremejeff leads the line.

Panathinaikos possible starting lineup: Dragowski; Kotsiras, Jedvaj, Ingason, Mladenovic; Maksimovic, Cerin; Pellistri, Bakasetas, Duricic; Jeremejeff

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