Gillette Soccer Saturday commentator Paul Merson has given his prediction ahead of Chelsea’s clash with Huddersfield on Saturday in the Premier League.
New Blues boss Maurizio Sarri will get his first taste of English football tomorrow when his side takes on Huddersfield at the John Smith’s stadium. Chelsea finished 5th last year under Antonio Conte in what was a dismal defence of the title they won the season before and Sarri has been brought in to return the glory days to the club quickly.
The Italian boss has a reputation for playing attacking football and likes to play with 3 forwards, which worked well for him at Napoli last season where his team just fell short in Serie A as runners-up behind Juventus.
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The new arrivals at Stamford Bridge this summer could all feature tomorrow, including Jorginho, who followed Sarri to London from Napoli, Mateo Kovacic, on loan from Real Madrid and £71 million goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, who was signed to replace the outgoing Thibaut Courtois – as per BBC Sport.
Merson is a former Arsenal player turned pundit and he gave his pre-match verdict in the Sky Sports studio this afternoon, saying: “Huddersfield have got to start well, David Wagner performed miracles keeping them up last season and they were helped by a good start.
“This is a really tough game for them.
“Chelsea have their problems but I just feel they’ll have too much for Huddersfield.
“They went there last season and were a class above, and they’ll want to impress their new manager.”
The 50-year-old ex-footballer also gave his score prediction for the match, backing Chelsea to run out as 2-0 winners and get off to the best possible start in their 2018/19 league campaign.
Supporters will hope that Merson’s prediction will come to fruition and lift the mood at the club after last week’s dismal 2-0 defeat to Manchester City in the Community Shield.