Thursday's Conference League predictions and free football tips including Panathinaikos vs Chelsea

Where to watch

Panathinaikos vs Chelsea
TNT Sports 1, 5.45pm Thursday

Hearts vs Omonia
TNT Sports 3, 5.45pm Thursday

Larne vs Shamrock
TNT Sports 4, 5.45pm Thursday

TNS vs Astana
TNT Sports 4, 8pm Thursday

Best bets

Chelsea to win and both teams to score
1pts 2-1 bet365, BoyleSports, Hills

Sedou Coulibaly anytime goalscorer in Hearts vs Omonia
1pt 9-1 bet365

Shamrock Rovers
1pt 5-4 general

Thursday's Conference League predictions

Panathinaikos vs Chelsea

The Conference League could prove to be Enzo Maresca's best route to a trophy in his maiden campaign as Chelsea boss and the Italian made a decent start towards achieving silverware by masterminding a 4-2 win over Gent this month. 

The Blues had gone seven matches without defeat before a narrow 2-1 loss at Anfield on Sunday and should bounce back with a win over a Panathinaikos side who have won just two of their last seven games. 

However, a clean sheet may once again prove beyond Maresca's men. Both teams to score has been a winning bet in seven of Chelsea's last ten games and, given changes will be made for this trip to Athens, it could pay to back the same selection alongside an away win. 

Hearts vs Omonia

Having lifted themselves off the bottom with a 4-0 win in the William Hill Scottish Premiership at the weekend and consigning rivals Hibs to bottom spot in the process, confidence should be high in the Hearts camp ahead of a visit from Omonia. 

However, while Hearts' rout of St Mirren may be a step in the right direction, Omonia won their Conference League opener 4-0 and will pose a threat in Edinburgh, especially from dead-ball situations. 

Hearts have conceded six goals from set pieces in the Scottish Premiership this term, the joint-most of any side, suggesting it may be worth taking a punt on 6ft 4in centre-back Senou Coulibaly to find the net against the Jam Tarts, especially as the big Malian has netted three times in his last four games.

Larne vs Shamrock

Larne have taken just 15 points from the first 27 available domestically and were comfortably beaten 3-0 by Molde in their Conference League opener. 

They managed just 0.1 expected goals in that defeat and look vulnerable against Shamrock Rovers, who have won their last two games to nil and can prevail in this Northern Ireland v Ireland showdown. 

TNS vs Astana

Despite facing one of the toughest sides in the competition in their opener, TNS held their own away at Fiorentina by losing only 2-0. 

They should offer more going forward against Astana, although the side from Kazakhstan are European regulars and won their opener against TSC 1-0, suggesting a tight affair may be on the cards in Wales. 

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