Chelsea host Huddersfield at Stamford Bridge on Saturday as they hope to end a two-game losing streak. Chelsea have won just once in four matches and manager Maurizio Sarri hasn’t been afraid to criticise his players.
The Blues unexpectedly lost 4-0 to Bournemouth in midweek and looked completely overrun by Eddie Howe’s team. Can they rebound against Huddersfield?
Huddesfield are bottom of the Premier League with relegation in sights. The Terriers haven’t won a game in 11 attempts. In their last three matches, Huddersfield have failed to score. They have the Premier League’s lowest goals scored tally with just 13.
Jan Siewert was appointed manager on January 21 after serving as Borussia Dortmund II manager. With the team 12 points from safety and 14 games to play, there is little hope the club can remain in the top-flight.
The two clubs have met five times in all competitions since 2006. The Blues have won four and drawn once in that time span. Chelsea have outscored Huddersfield 12-4, and in their last meeting, won 3-0. The teams have combined to score over 2.5 goals in four of five fixtures. Making Huddersfield task of winning at Stamford Bridge more difficult is Chelsea are undefeated in 14 of their last 15 home league matches.
Chelsea go into the game with both players and manager not seeing eye to eye. Sarri has been adamant the players must train on match days. However, the squad believes gameday training is hampering their performances. Following the team’s loss to Bournemouth, Sarri kept the team in the dressing room for over an hour before they were allowed to meet the media. Sarri has favoured playing the same players for nearly each match despite fatigue setting in.
Despite Chelsea lacking rotation, they are going up against Huddersfield. The Terriers are dreadful. Huddersfield have already equalled Derby County’s 2007-08 total for the fewest points in a Premier League season. There is every chance they won’t obtain any more points this term.
Huddersfield have surprisingly picked up six points on the road, but they haven’t won in their last five away games. Meanwhile, Chelsea are unbeaten in five of six away games. The Blues are +12 in goal difference.
Chelsea will get back to winning ways against Huddersfield. Despite obvious problems forming under Sarri and his lack of acknowledging the players’ gripes, they are still playing Huddersfield. The Blues will hold off the Terriers, keep a clean sheet, and score goals themselves. Chelsea will win and turn in a solid performance at the Bridge.