Chelsea vs Huddersfield Town
Date: 02/02/2019
K/O: 15:00
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Referee: Paul Tierney
Chelsea host the Premier League’s bottom side this weekend as they look to bounce back from the midweek 4-0 hammering at the hands of Bournemouth. With pressure mounting on Sarri as the ever impatient Chelsea hierarchy loom, a victory this weekend would do wonders to take some of that away.
Huddersfield too are in dire straights as they sit rock bottom of the table, 13 points off safety and in desperate need of a run of form in order to prevent them becoming a relegation certainty.
Now that the transfer window is shut the focus can shift back on to the football where it belongs. The saga around Callum Hudson-Odoi is over for now and this could be a chance for him to shine if given the opportunity, and for Gonzalo Higuain to really live up to the hype since his arrival from Juventus.
Chelsea Team News
Sarri’s men have a fully fit squad this week. But as usual, the questions will remain about who slots in in midfield and who plays out wide. With Higuain at the club, Hazard has shifted back out to the left but, as I do every preview, I am at a loss as to who will fit on the right. If Chelsea are smart they will give Hudson-Odoi his go, especially as he wasn’t in the squad mid-week, but history states that it will likely be Willian.
The same again in midfield and defence. Both Lofuts-Cheek and Ampadu are itching for first-team opportunities but players such as Rudiger, Barkley, and Jorginho stand in their way. Recent lineups have not proven to be overly successful for Chelsea and surely it is time to switch it up? You have young players ready to prove themselves, so why not use them?
Huddersfield Team News
Huddersfield have a couple of doubts: Phillip Billing has been back in training but has only a 75% chance of playing but Jan Siewert stating in mid-week that he is hopeful of the Dane appearing on Saturday. Abdelhamid Sabiri is less likely to play despite training midweek and Danny Williams remains sidelined.
Huddersfield have not been in great nick so far this season but if there is ever a chance for an upset against one of the Premier League’s giants then this is it. Chelsea are not in good form in the league and the players seem to have slightly downed tools. If Mooy, Puncheon, and Mounie can play at their very best then they will certainly have a chance.
Predicted Starting XIs
Chelsea (4-3-3): Kepa; Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso; Kante, Jorginho, Barkley; Hudson-Odoi, Higuain, Hazard
Huddersfield (4-3-2-1): Lossl, Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Kongolo; Mooy, Billing, Puncheon; Diakhaby, Mounie, Pritchard
Prediction: Chelsea 2 Huddersfield 0
I think Chelsea will win this one but I don’t think it will be the triumphant return to form for which they are so desperately searching. I back Hazard and Higuaín to perform and hopefully Hudson-Odoi gets his moment in the sun too. Huddersfield just do not look stable or strong this season and I think the Londoners will make the most of that.
