The Maurizio Sarri era, and the 2018-19 Premier League season, begins in just a few hours as Chelsea kick off against Huddersfield Town at the John Smith’s Stadium.
Obviously, Chelsea were the most news worthy and intriguing team in England as the summer transfer window drew to a close, but now, with deadline day behind us, the focus now shifts to the action on the pitch, not the negotiations and money in the board room. Let’s take a look at the injury and fitness situation for Saturday’s match.
Starting with the visitors Chelsea, Olivier Giroud, Eden Hazard, N’Golo Kanté, Gary Cahill and Mateo Kovacic are all doubts due to match fitness issues.
For the host Terriers, Isaac Mbenza (match fitness) is a doubt, while Erik Durm and Danny Williams are out injured.
Chelsea Summer Transfer Window Analysis, Report Card: go to this link
Chelsea Season Preview: go to this link
Chelsea FC Starting XI Prediction
Forwards: Willian, Alvaro Morata, Pedro
Midfielders: N’Golo Kante, Jorginho, Cesc Fabregas
Defenders: Marcos Alonso, David Luiz, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta
Goalkeeper: Kepa Arrizabalaga
Prediction: Chelsea 2, Huddersfield 1
Feel free to post your own Chelsea and/or Huddersfield starting XI predictions, as well as your best guess as to what the final score will be.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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