Chelsea are going to face Huddersfield Town at Stamford Bridge on Saturday in the Premier League. It is certainly a huge match for them to stay in the top four race. After two back to back defeats against Arsenal and Bournemouth in two away matches in the Premier League, finally the Blues are getting Huddersfield Town at home. This match should be denoted as the comeback match of Chelsea. The Blues will face Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in the next weekend. A win in this match will surely lift their confidence level at this moment. On the other hand, Huddersfield Town will be desperate to get at least one point from this match to stay out of the relegation zone.
Team News :
Chelsea :
The Blues will be eyeing to make a strong comeback in this match after the heavy defeat against Bournemouth. Maurizio Sarri was in the dressing room for almost one hour alone with the Chelsea players after the defeat against the Cherries. Chelsea were playing good possessional football in the first half. However, the counter attacking football of Bournemouth destroyed the mentality of the Blues completely in the second half of the match. The defenders had no clue about what to do to stop the counter attacks of Bournemouth at times.
Maurizio Sarri has to address the problem of his side now very quickly. Few important matches are coming up for them in this February. The future of Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea will also depend on the performance of the Blues in this month. So, the manager will be desperate to motivate his players in this circumstances.
There will be few changes in the starting lineup of the Blues. Marcos Alonso might come in place of Emerson Palmieri in this match in the left back position. Antonio Rudiger is having a slight niggle and a late fitness test is on the cards for him. Ross Barkley might make it to the starting eleven of the Blues in place of Mateo Kovacic.
Willian can also make his way to the first team of Chelsea in place of Pedro. This is going to be a big test for Gonzalo Higuain as Chelsea fans are eagerly waiting for his first goal of the campaign. Eden Hazard will also be desperate to prove his critics wrong. The Belgian winger did not score in the last five matches of the Premier League. So, he would like to get back his goal scoring boots as soon as possible.
Huddersfield Town :
Huddersfield Town do not have many injury problems except Billing and Sabiri who are the long term absentees. Their new centre-forward will probably be in the bench in this match as Steve Mounie will play as a lone forward for Huddersfield Town.
Predicted Starting Eleven :
Chelsea (4-3-3) :
Goalkeeper : Kepa
Defenders : Azpilicueta, Rudiger, Luiz, Alonso.
Midfielders : Kante, Jorginho, Barkley.
Attackers : Loftus-Cheek, Higuain, Hazard.
Huddersfield Town : (4-3-3)
Goalkeeper : Lossl
Defenders : Hadergjonaj, Zanka, Schindler, Lowe.
Midfielders : Mooy, Hogg, Puncheon
Attackers : Kachunga, Mounie, Diakhaby.
My Predicted Scoreline :
Chelsea 4-0 Huddersfield Town.
