Conte talking up rotation. Reckon we could see a team like this:

 

Tibo

 

Azpi 

Christensen 

Rudiger 

 

Zappacosta 

Kante

Baka

Emerson

 

Pedro 

Morata

Willian.

Huddersfield defended brilliantly against city. They got a good point for themselves and will be looking to do the same against us. We need our best players on the pitch for this one (willian, hazard, kante). I would start with:

Tibo

Azpi GC Rudiger

Zappa Kante Bakayoko Emerson

Willian Morata (if fit) Hazard

 

Giroud seemed knackered at around the 60/65th minute and I would definitely rotata him if possible. Hazard looked marvellous against pool. Hopefully Conte can learn and rotata the WBs far more often. Moses has been great since he was dropped (?) that one game for zappa. Need to keep him on his toes. 

3 hours ago, axman2526 said:

Conte talking up rotation. Reckon we could see a team like this:

 

Tibo

 

Azpi 

Christensen 

Rudiger 

 

Zappacosta 

Kante

Baka

Emerson

 

Pedro 

Morata

Willian.

Except for Baka I think you've nailed it. This feels like a Drinkwater start to me

This is a must win game, and we certainly should win the game, being at home and the gap in quality.

Anything less than a victory is unacceptable.

1) Expected from Conte.

2) Unrealistic preference.

Reckon we'll see Barkley this game. Been on the bench for a while and has been speaking about rotation. 

dont spoil a winning formula, back 3 is settled and with 3 games to go why rotate, AC is sub for me, Baka has hardly played and Kante is a machine so kept those 2 and the defense is solid, a foundation to build upon

I would rest Eddy, Fab , Giroud & Moses, Alonso may get a game as he was out for 3 and Emerson wont displace him for the final

 

3-4-3

tibo

Dave Gazza Rudy

Zappa Kante Baka Alaonso/ emerson

Willy Morata Pedro

 

Hazard has to play,apart from giroud I would keep the same team.

I’m still buzzing from Sunday so I hope the lads are too! Drop one of the midfield 3 for Willian (preferably Cesc as I think Baka is actually starting to improve). 

Now with the Saint's win, this game will be much tougher than anticipated.

Bad thing is, they need only a draw to ensure their survival, so the game will be played in front of their goal and we have a hard time against team like that.

Hope the boys are up for it.

Please don't f**k this up the more pressure we put on the spuds the more likely there're gonna bottle it and end up with Thursday night football...

9 hours ago, Ledgerson said:

Now with the Saint's win, this game will be much tougher than anticipated.

Bad thing is, they need only a draw to ensure their survival, so the game will be played in front of their goal and we have a hard time against team like that.

Hope the boys are up for it.

You are right, they went 5 at the back v City & almost nicked it. Not sure I would go 3 at the back in this game as they will be sitting really deep. Ideally a 4-2-3-1 but this is Conte.

9 hours ago, Ledgerson said:

Now with the Saint's win, this game will be much tougher than anticipated.

Bad thing is, they need only a draw to ensure their survival, so the game will be played in front of their goal and we have a hard time against team like that.

On the contary, i say they are the teams we do the best against. Us struggling vs parked buses left with Jose.

We are playing well,go hard at them early and get an early goal.If they have to come out we will pick them off on the break.....COME ON YOU BLUES !

Courtois

Azpi  Christensen  Rudiger

Zappacosta  Pedro  Kante  Bakayoko  Emerson

Morata  Hazard

 

Really liked how Pedro played in the middle of the park a few games back. I'd try that again in place of Cesc. Willian can be brought on for Hazard if we can take the lead of if he's looking tired. 

Play 2 strikers , we are going to get plenty of possession, no point passing it around them, hit them hard and early.

Is Morata fit for this? 

yes

Good. 

Ps. I'd like to see Depoitre out of their 11. That guy will give problems if they get any half decent crosses into the area. 

On another note, what is Terence Kongolo doing at Huddersfield? He looked like a future star. Looked very good for Fejenoord. Strange for Monaco to loan him out like that. 

 

Edited May 9, 20188 yr by Bluefog

This is such an important game today, if we get a win at home to these and spurs lose to newcastle (somehow) we would end up in 4th.

23 minutes ago, Bluefog said:

Ps. I'd like to see Depoitre out of their 11. That guy will give problems if they get any half decent crosses into the area. 

On another note, what is Terence Kongolo doing at Huddersfield? He looked like a future star. Looked very good for Fejenoord. Strange for Monaco to loan him out like that. 

 

HTFC fan here. Just one post then i will do one back to my own board.

Depoitre is decent but i am sure your defenders have enough quality to keep our one striker quiet, Mounie or Depoitre. Wagner very rarely plays 2 up top. Don't underestimate Mounie's ariel capability. He is also decent in the air and with the right service can stick one in, problem is our strikers haven't had the service for the majority of the season.

Kongolo is class. We have been very lucky to have him and he will move on at the end of this season to play regular football for a team playing European football.

I really hope you knock the victims out of the Champions League spot, however i don't want that to come at our cost, which it inevitably will. Lets be honest, it should be 3-0 tonight, our chance of the point we desperately need will be Sunday but it is a big ask.

Anyway, best of luck for the cup final, hope tonight is a decent one.

23 minutes ago, Terrier said:

HTFC fan here. Just one post then i will do one back to my own board.

Depoitre is decent but i am sure your defenders have enough quality to keep our one striker quiet, Mounie or Depoitre. Wagner very rarely plays 2 up top. Don't underestimate Mounie's ariel capability. He is also decent in the air and with the right service can stick one in, problem is our strikers haven't had the service for the majority of the season.

Kongolo is class. We have been very lucky to have him and he will move on at the end of this season to play regular football for a team playing European football.

I really hope you knock the victims out of the Champions League spot, however i don't want that to come at our cost, which it inevitably will. Lets be honest, it should be 3-0 tonight, our chance of the point we desperately need will be Sunday but it is a big ask.

Anyway, best of luck for the cup final, hope tonight is a decent one.

do feel slightly bad for Huddersfield... fought all season and have been saddled with us fighting for champions league spot and Arsenal trying to send Wenger out on a high, vs Swansea who are 3pts behind and -2 goal difference but have Stoke at home. Brutal.

 

Anyway, on us... same team but maybe switch in Willian for Fabregas... keep it strong and if it goes tits up .. use Newcastle game to play Drinkwater, Barkley, Emerson, Hudson Odoi, Sterling, Chalobah and Reece James.

My Prediction:

Courtois

Rudiger
Cahill
Azpilicueta

Emerson
Kante
Bakayoko
Zappacosta

Hazard
Giroud
Willian