So it’s Chelsea at the Bridge – a game which if I’m totally frank never bothers me as much as many.
I get much wrong but playing this lot never bother me as much as some games and over the last three matches between us I’ve called it correctly – a 0-0 draw in 2018/19 and the double home and away last season.
Thus far during the current campaign Frank Lampard’s lot have failed to beat any of the top teams they have played – Liverpool, Spurs, Man United and Southampton.
Those they have beaten include {Palace, Burnley, Sheffield United and Leeds) whilst we have beaten – Leicester, Wolves, Villa, Sheff United and Fulham whilst drawing against the Spuds and City and being beaten – probably unfairly – by Man U.
Ok, I understand it’s all on the day but the reality is we need not go to the Bridge with any inferiority complexes and with, seemingly only Antonio, missing we look strong.
So prediction time: This time I’m going for a 0-1 and I’ll have a bet on Soucek getting the goal- probably from a set piece.
Let’s have your prediction everybody.
You’ve covered all cases there Richard! .. 🤣 .. I thought I’d put a fiver on someone you didn’t mention, but I can’t think of anyone! .. Seriously, Giroud always seems to score or play well against us, but did I hear they may rest him? ..
I fancy us in this one. A tasty three or four nil to us if mickey was playing but without him I still think at least two nil. We like teams that try and play, like Leicester and wolves. I fancy Declan rice to score a mid range screamer. Then either a billy benrahma goal curling in top bins, or a set piece from Souchek or Ogbonna. Though could be a Jerry Bowen goal or maybe Harry Yarmolenko coming on and scoring as a late sub.
I went in the 2018-19 season and remember we lost 2 0, not a 0 0 draw.
I agree with Saul, except for the score line. We will have to play with the shape and squad that has us in the top half of the table. If Balbuena is playing I see us taking it 1-0.
Good comment Saul – I was thinking of 3-4-3 with Ben Johnson as a wingback
Fab –
Balbuena Ogbonna Cresswell
Coufal Rice Soucek Johnson
Bowen Haller Benrahma
Still I think it will be tough but I watched Chelsea against Wolves and they seem to lack a cutting edge
Good shout. If Balbuena isn’t fit enough I agree with your selection. If he can play I’d go with Diop Balbuena & Ogbonna as a 3 with Coufal and Cresswell at wing back. Johnson on the bench to cover both flanks. COYI
2-0 Chelsea I’m afraid. Unless we play our 3-4-3/5-4-1 with Fornals as the wing back, I don’t see us scoring and even we may struggle to find the ol’ onion bag. Chelsea have got much stronger at the back and we have got weaker up top without Micky. With him, i fancy a draw but without him I don’t.
But I’ve been wrong before!!
We have to take some risks and not have too deep defensive line. Early winbacks if we lose the ball, physically dominate the midfield and try to get some possession in the middle to feed Haller as he struggles against teams with lots of possession and established attack. Opens us up for counters of course but with Souchek and Rice battling midfield, and Rice, Bowen, Benrahma and hopefully Lanzini to keep possession and drive the ball forward we should be able to set up Haller nicely and include him often.