Huddersfield – Chelsea Prediction & Picks (11.08.2018)

Huddersfield Town and Chelsea meet at The John Smith’s Stadium, in a match for the 1st round of the Premier League. In the last 3 years there is only record of 2 direct confrontations between these two teams: one on 09-05-2018, which ended in a draw by (1-1), and another more recent on 12-12-2017, which ended in a Chelsea win by (1-3). Attention to the house factor, since the Huddersfield Town usually conquer different results at home and abroad.

Huddersfield Town:

The home team makes its debut in this edition of the test after having finished the last season in 16th position. This is a team that usually gets better results in away matches than at home, since in the last 30 matches they register 4 wins, 6 draws and 5 losses in away matches, with 15 goals scored and 16 conceded; against 4 wins, 4 draws and 7 losses at their stadium, with 14 goals scored and 21 conceded. The team comes to this match after a win away with RB Leipzig by (0-3). In the last 10 home matches for all competitions, Huddersfield Town has won 3, tied 2 and lost 5.

The Huddersfield enters this first day motivated, after a triumph, by 0-3, in a friendly against Leipzig. The whole house usually acts in a 4-4-2, favoring offensive transitions and channeling their attacks through the wings. The two arrows pointing to the rival’s goal will be Pritchard and Mounié, being the reference responsible for leading the attacks of his team is Dutch Mooy. It is possible that Lowe, Mooy, Durm and Bacuna act in the most central area of ​​the terrain. One of the best valences of the home club is the protection of a result, when it is in advantage. The technician David Wagner will not be able to count on Danny Williams, to be injured.

Chelsea:

This is the first match in this edition of the competition of the visiting team, which finished the previous edition in the 5th position. This is a team that usually maintains its competitive levels in home and away matches, since in the last 30 matches they register 5 wins, 4 draws and 6 losses in away matches, with 18 goals scored and 22 conceded; against 7 wins, 5 draws and 3 losses at their stadium, with 21 goals scored and 13 conceded. In the last match they played, for the International Champions Cup, they beat Olympique Lyonnais at home by (5-4) in the shoot-out on penalties. In the last 10 away matches Chelsea has 5 wins and 5 losses. Their attack has scored regularly, since they have scored goals in 7 of the last 10 matches. In 15 games, they only got 1 comeback in the 4 games in which they suffered the first goal.

Chelsea enter this first round motivated, after a win, on penalties, against Lyon, to count for the International Champions Cup. The visiting team usually acts in a tactical system in 4-3-3, favoring fast transitions , mainly through the flanks, and the three most advanced players are Hudson-Odoi, Pedro and Morata. The Chelsea coach can not count on Marco van Ginkel, for being injured.