Chelsea will face a stern test against in form Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Both clubs had their respective games in the Champions League in the midweek. But they had very much different results in those matches. Manchester United had thrashed Benfica with a margin of 2-0 to secure their qualification to the next round of the Champions League while Chelsea had suffered a huge blow as they had lost against Roma with a margin of 3-0.
Chelsea are currently situated in the 4th position in the League Table of Premier League with 19 points from their 10 encounter so far. They were able to win back to back two matches against Watford and Bournemouth after facing a defeat against Manchester City. They were literally out of the race of winning the Premier League after that defeat against Manchester City. But a win against Manchester United will surely give them the hope to stay in the contention of winning the Premier League this season.
On the other hand, Manchester United had suffered a shock defeat against Huddersfield Town two weeks ago. But the win against Tottenham Hotspur in a difficult match last week will give them certain confidence before going to face Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. This match will see another battle between two tactical geniuses – Antonio Conte and Jose Mourinho. One bad defeat against United will surely put a question mark over Conte’s future in Chelsea. So this match is surely going to be one of the most exciting matches of this season undoubtedly.
Team News :
Chelsea :
N’Golo Kante will be expected to feature some minutes of the match after coming back from a hamstring injury. Danny Drinkwater is also able to play when the team will need him. Otherwise all players are fit to play this important away match against Manchester United on Sunday.
Thibaut Courtois will start in Chelsea Goal in this match. Azpilicueta, David Luiz and Gary Cahill are the three expected defenders to start in central defense. Zappacosta and Alonso will play in two wing-back positions. Fabregas and Bakayoko are expected to take place in the heart of the midfield while Eden Hazard, Alvaro Morata and Pedro are expected to lead the Chelsea attack from the upfront.
Manchester United :
Maruoane Fellaini, Paul Pogba, Carrick will also be in the absentees’ list. Marcos Rojo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic are recovering from injury, but still not fit to start a match, though they should be back soon.
De Gea will start at Manchester United Goal. Blind and Valencia will play as two side backs. Smalling will play alongside Jones, as the duo will pair up in the central defense while Herrera and Matic will be given the duty of two defensive midfielders. Mata and Mkhitaryan will be expected to put the ball forward to Lukaku and Rashford who will lead United from the upfront.
Possible Starting Eleven :
Chelsea :(3-4-3)
Goalkeeper : Courtois
Defenders : Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Cahill.
Midfielders : Zappacosta, Fabregas, Bakayoko, Alonso.
Attackers : Hazard, Morata, Pedro.
Manchester United:(4-4-2)
Goalkeeper : De Gea
Defenders : Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Blind.
Midfielders : Herrera, Matic,Mata, Mkhitaryan.
Attackers : Lukaku, Rashford.
My Score Prediction :
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United.
