PAOK vs Chelsea – as it happened: Willian strike gets Blues off to winning start

Re-live the action from the Group L match in Thessaloniki

PAOK v Chelsea: Europa League match preview

Chelsea head to Greece's second city to face PAOK without Eden Hazard after Maurizio Sarri granted the in-form Belgian a rest.

Hazard has been in scintillating form for the Blues at the start of the Premier League campaign but told his manager he was tired and needed a break. David Luiz has also been excused from the trip.

PAOK finished second in the Greek last season, behind AEK Athens, and venture into the Europa League for the seventh time. They have never made it beyond the last 32 but boast a unbeaten record against English clubs from four games, with a win and a draw against Arsenal (in 1997-98) and Tottenham Hotspur (in 2011-12).

Follow the match below with our live blog:

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What time does it start?

The match kicks off at 5.55pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

The game will be televised live on BT Sport.

What are the odds?

Chelsea win 4/7

Draw 3/1

PAOK win 11/2

[20 September 2018 12:29 · Lawrence Ostlere]

Hello! So Chelsea's Europa League campaign begins in earnest down in Group L, over in the Greek city of Thessaloniki, against Pan-Thessalonian Athletic Club of Constantinopolitans, better known as PAOK. Oh the glamour of European football. 

Michael will be here from 5pm BST with full line-ups and team news, followed by blow-by-blow coverage of the match. In the meantime, here's the latest news on the Blues:

[20 September 2018 17:00 · Jack Watson]

Team news

[20 September 2018 17:07 · Michael Jones]

Eden Hazard has been rested from this opening match with Pedro, Willian and Morata instead leading the front line.

They will be crucial to this Chelsea side that is looking to regain the trophy they won in their last appearance in the competition (2012-13), when they defeated Benfica 2-1 in the final.

[20 September 2018 17:15 · Michael Jones]

Chelsea can expect a tough challenge in Thessaloniki and no thanks to the weather.

The temperature is due to reach up to 27C, and Toumba Stadium is known for having a thunderous atmosphere.

[20 September 2018 17:22 · Michael Jones]

Football fans live for European nights and especially ones it which you get to travel abroad, see your team play and experience a different type of atmosphere. But sadly too often stories like this appear and really tarnish what should be a celebration of the beautiful game.  

[20 September 2018 17:28 · Michael Jones]

PAOK Salonika have an impressive record against not just English teams but London ones as well.

They have never lost with a win and a draw apiece against both Arsenal (in 1997-98) and Tottenham Hotspur (in 2011-12).

Chelsea become the third English team to face PAOK when they meet tonight for the first time ever in a competitive match.

[20 September 2018 17:38 · Michael Jones]

By far my favourite fact about PAOK is that 6-months ago PAOK president Ivan Savvidis stormed onto the pitch during an encounter with when he disputed a referee decision.

He was carrying a holstered gun in his belt and as a result the domestic league was suspended and the president himself was banned.

Talk about mad scenes!

[20 September 2018 17:49 · Michael Jones]

A reminder that this is the early kick off for tonight's Europa League matches, we'll be following up this game's action with coverage of Arsenal vs Vorskla which kicks off at 8pm.

[20 September 2018 17:52 · Michael Jones]

Back to Greece now, the teams are waiting in the tunnel and it's five minutes away from kick off... here we go!

[20 September 2018 17:58 · Michael Jones]

PAOK 0 - 0 Chelsea

Chelsea, in their yellow kit, get the match underway they pass the ball back to their defence and spread themselves across the pitch before moving the ball forward. POAK get everyone back behind the ball and Chelsea are made to reevaluate their attack.