Maurizio Sarri will take charge of Chelsea in the Premier League for the first time on Saturday afternoon.
The Blues travel to face Huddersfield Town at John Smith’s Stadium and the former Napoli boss will be looking for a reaction after an insipid performance in the defeat to Manchester City in last weekend’s Community Shield at Wembley.
Latest odds
Chelsea are chalked up as a 6/10 (1.60) chance with to kick off their campaign with a win in West Yorkshire, while the same firm go 14/5 (3.80) that Saturday’s showdown ends in stalemate.
Huddersfield marked their return to the top tier with a sensational 3-0 win against Crystal Palace 12 months ago and David Wagner’s men are available at 5/1 (6.0) to start the new season in style by beating the Blues.
Team news
Eden Hazard and Olivier Giroud could both miss out, while Alvaro Morata is expected to likely to lead the line for Sarri’s side.
Kepa Arrizabalaga is expected to start in goal after completing a move to Chelsea in the wake of Thibaut Courtois’ departure from Stamford Bridge this week.
Ramadan Sobhi and Adama Diakhaby are both in line to make their competitive debut for the Terriers, whilst Steve Mounie scored twice on the opening day last term and will be keen to start this campaign in a similar vein.
Goals at a premium?
Chelsea claimed a 3-1 win when they last visited John Smith’s Stadium and dabblebet go 10/11 (1.91) that there are more than two goals in this game.
However, there were goals scored at both ends in just one of the last seven Premier League matches played at this venue last term and the same firm offer 3/4 (1.75) that either side fails to find the net.
Prediction
There have been fewer than three goals scored in 10 of Chelsea’s last 11 fixtures and with Hazard and Giroud both likely to be absent, the Blues may lack their usual cutting edge in the final third of the pitch.
Furthermore, there were no more than two goals scored in any of the final 10 league fixtures that the Terriers fulfilled last season.
A tight tussle, therefore, looks likely and dabblebet’s 4/5 (1.80) quote for fewer than three goals to be scored may represent good value for punters.
Under 2.5 goals at 4/5 (1.80) for a 2pt stake with dabblebet
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