In a somewhat surprising move, Chelsea manager Maurizio Sarri included superstar Eden Hazard in his travel squad that will face BATE Borisov tomorrow night in Europa League competition. The Belgian playmaker has been out for three matches due to back issues, and played only sparingly (36 minutes in total off the bench) in the three matches since his return.
The Europa League clash in Barysaw, Belarus could provide the perfect opportunity for the 27-year-old to get more major minutes as he eases his way back into playing the full 90+ with regularity again.
ICYMI: A squad of 19 touched down in Belarus earlier today ahead of tomorrow night’s Europa League game against BATE Borisov… https://t.co/Ov7ec0dHzG
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 7, 2018
In addition to the Eden Hazard inclusion, it’s notable that Olivier Giroud was included and Alvaro Morata was left back. Sarri explained the omission of Morata thusly:
“He played for three matches in a row. I thought it was better for him to stay at Cobham and rest and have only training.”
Chelsea FC vs BATE Borisov FYIs
Match Preview, Injury Report: go to this link
Starting XI Prediction: go to this link
Kickoff, TV: Thursday, Nov. 8, 5:55 p.m. (GMT), 12:55 p.m. (EST), BT Sport 2 (UK)
Odds via Oddschecker: Chelsea 7/18, Draw 4-1, BATE 7/1
Prediction: Chelsea 3, BATE Borisov 0
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, regularly appears as a guest pundit on WGN CLTV and co-hosts the “Let’s Get Weird, Sports” podcast on SB Nation.
He also contributes sociopolitical essays to Lineups.com and Chicago Now. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram. The content of his cat’s Instagram account is unquestionably superior to his.