Where to watch PAOK vs Chelsea in the Europa League on September 20, 2018

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Septiembre 19, 2018 Por Michelle Bonsu

Temas: TV Schedules, PAOK, Chelsea, UEFA Europa League

PAOK have never lost to English opposition, but Chelsea have never lost to Greek opposition, either. Who will win this first-ever meeting between the two sides on September 20th?

Match Preview

After finishing fifth in the Premier League and winning the FA Cup, Chelsea are featuring in the Europa League group stages for the first time. The Blues have played in the Europa League before, but that was after failing to clear the Champions League group stages when they shockingly became the first reigning champions to crash out early during the 2012/2013 season. However, they then went on to win the Europa League that May after beating Benfica 2-1 in the final.

Domestically, Chelsea have been largely cruising along since losing the Community Shield to Manchester City at the start of the season. Maurizio Sarri's project seems to be finally taking root, and the visitors come into this game having won all five of their Premier League games to sit on top of the table alongside Liverpool, but ahead of the Reds slightly on goal difference. That includes a recent win over Cardiff, which saw the London giants come from behind to record a 4-1 win in which Eden Hazard netted a hat-trick.

Given how congested Chelsea's fixture list is, coupled with their travel schedule and how comfortable their group is for the Europa League draw, expect Sarri to really rotate his squad for this game to give some of the younger and fringe players some game-time. In fact, Hazard has not even made the trip over to Greece, along with David Luiz and new signing Mateo Kovacic.

Match Facts & Stats

PAOK are unbeaten in all four of their previous competitive matches with English teams (W2 D2 L0)
However, PAOK have won just once at home in their last nine fixtures in the Europa League (D4 L4)
In their previous six Europa League campaigns, PAOK have progressed from the group stage on four occasions...
...but were eliminated at the Last 32 stage on each of those occasions
Maurizio Sarri has a 100 percent win ratio in the group stages matches of the Europa League
Chelsea are unbeaten against Greek opposition...
...but the Blues are without a win in four European matches following their Champions League round of 16 exit to Barcelona last season