Huddersfield Town will return to action on Tuesday as they welcome Chelsea to the John Smith’s Stadium, just three days after David Wagner’s side secured a 2-0 home win against fellow Premier League new-boys Brighton & Hove Albion.
The game is scheduled for kick-off at 8pm and will be shown live on BT Sport.
The Opponent
Chelsea will be looking to put a dent in Town’s home record and bounce back from the defeat they faced at the hands of London rivals West Ham United on Saturday lunchtime. A first-half strike from Marko Arnautović condemned Antonio Conte’s side to a one-goal defeat at the London Stadium.
The Blues currently sit in 3rd place in the Premier League table having collected 32 points from their opening 16 games, with last year’s Premier League champions trailing 1st place Manchester City by 11 points.
The last time Town faced the Blues, Chelsea won 3-1 in the FA Cup on the 16th February 2008. Two Frank Lampard strikes and a Salomon Kalou finish cancelled out Michael Collins' equaliser to see Chelsea through to the quarter-finals.
Players to Watch
PFA Players' Player of the Year of 2014-15 Eden Hazard has been in top form this season, prompting many to suggest he’s a rival candidate for the Ballon d’Or crown along with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi. The Belgian will play against England in their third game of the 2018 World Cup having been drawn in the same group, along with Tunisia and Panama also.
Cesc Fabregas has been one of the standout performers since joining the Blues from Barcelona. His position is not a clear one, he plays in front of Bakayoko, Kanté and Drinkwater, but not quite as advanced or free-spirited as Eden Hazard. He orchestrates his side and is an instrumental piece to the attacking force the Blues possess.
Marcus Alonso plays a pivotal role on the left-flank for his side. Having initially come through Real Madrid’s academy, he went on to join Bolton Wanderers. Following his spell at Bolton, the wing-back moved away from English Football and had several fruitful seasons in Italy with Fiorentina before joining the Blues.
New Signings
Álvaro Morata has been potent in front of goal for the Blues this season netting 10 goals in all competitions since joining the side from Real Madrid at the start of the season. The twenty-five-year-old Spanish forward had a spell at Italian giants Juventus either side of spells at Real Madrid.
Chelsea added midfielders Danny Drinkwater and Tiemoué Bakayoko to their ranks from Leicester City and Monaco respectively in the summer. The replacements were needed to replace midfielder Nemanja Matić' who joined Premier League rivals Manchester United in the summer.
Defenders Davide Zappacosta and Antonio Rüdiger also joined the Blues in the summer.
Chelsea's last starting XI vs West Ham (3-4-2-1):
GK: Thibaut Courtois
DC: Cesar Azpilicueta
DC: Gary Cahill
DC: Andreas Christensen
RWB: Davide Zappacosta
CM: Tiemoué Bakayoko
CM: N'Golo Kanté
LWB: Marcus Alonso
CAM: Cesc Fabregas
CAM: Eden Hazard
ST: Alvaro Morata
Town Team News
Rajiv van La Parra will be back in contention for his side having sat out a three-game suspension in recent games against Arsenal, Everton and Brighton & Hove Albion. Although Kasey Palmer will be ineligible for Tuesday’s encounter as per the terms of his loan agreement from the Blues.
David Wagner will give a full update on the availability of his squad in tomorrow’s press conference and will likely still be without the services of Philip Billing (ankle), Jon Gorenc Stanković (knee) and Michael Hefele (Achilles) through their respective injuries.
Chelsea Team News
Antonio Conte could be without defender David Luiz and midfielder Danny Drinkwater who both sat out their last game against West Ham United. The Brazillian defender has spent several weeks out with a knee Injury whilst Danny Drinkwater missed his sides last game through illness.
Ticket Information
Tickets for Huddersfield Town's Premier League match at home to Chelsea are now SOLD OUT! However, tickets are still available via Terrier Exchange; click here to find out more!
