Chelsea - Manchester United: Preview and Lineups Prediction
Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge this Sunday in a crucial fixture for both sides. The Blues won&...
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Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge this Sunday in a crucial fixture for both sides.
The Blues won't be satisfied with their draw at Watford on Wednesday evening having controlled much of the game while creating a host of chances to break the deadline.
Guus Hiddink's side, 13th, are unbeaten since the Dutchman's arrival in December and could make it 10 against a United side struggling to find their rhythm under Louis van Gaal.
Despite tumbling into the Europa League knockout stages from their Champions League group for the second time in four season, the Red Devils are in fifth place and on track to qualify for Europe's elite competition again this season.
United have failed to string together back-to-back Premier League victories since November and although they produced an emphatic 3-0 win over Stoke last weekend, Chelsea will likely enter this contest in a slightly more confident mindset than their arch rivals.
Van Gaal welcomes the return of Phil Jones from injury, while Luke Shaw (leg), Antonio Valencia (ankle), Marcos Rojo (shoulder), Ashley Young (groin) and Bastian Schweinsteiger (knee) remain sidelined.
Manchester United Starting XI Prediction
De Gea | Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson | Fellaini, Carrick | Lingard, Mata, Martial | Rooney
Six Previous Meetings
Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea (Premier League, December 2015)
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United (Premier League, April 2015)
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League, October 2014)
Chelsea 3-1 Manchester United (Premier League, January 2014)
Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea (Premier League, August 2013)
Score Prediction
It wouldn't be too far-fetched to label Chelsea as clear favourites ahead of this weekend's clash if not for our 0-0 hiccup against Watford during the week.
Although the Hornets are a dangerous and well-organised side, we created more than enough chances to put the game to bed, though so did our hosts, it must be said.
Our poor finishing at Vicarage Road indicates we still haven't found the cutting edge we need to take three points from games in which we aren't firing on all cylinders in the final third.
With Diego Costa looking increasingly dangerous at the tip of attack and Eden Hazard regaining at least some degree of confidence, I expect it might not be too long before we start finding the net with more regularity.
At the back we look sound but there's plenty of room for improvement. We conceded 12 shots at goal against Watford and although many of them were hopeful attempts, we can't afford to be so generous against the United strike force.
In terms of one-on-one match ups, I think Branislav Ivanovic could be in for a rough night against Anthony Martial. Our burly full-back has certainly improved since his diabolical form throughout the first half of the season, but his lack of pace could see him exposed against one of the most in-form wide players in the top-flight.
My head says this one will end as a 1-1 draw but my heart says we'll steal a 2-1 win. What are your score predictions?
De Gea | Darmian, Smalling, Blind, Borthwick-Jackson | Fellaini, Carrick | Lingard, Mata, Martial | Rooney
Six Previous Meetings
Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea (Premier League, December 2015)
Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United (Premier League, April 2015)
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League, October 2014)
Chelsea 3-1 Manchester United (Premier League, January 2014)
Manchester United 0-0 Chelsea (Premier League, August 2013)
Score Prediction
It wouldn't be too far-fetched to label Chelsea as clear favourites ahead of this weekend's clash if not for our 0-0 hiccup against Watford during the week.
Although the Hornets are a dangerous and well-organised side, we created more than enough chances to put the game to bed, though so did our hosts, it must be said.
Our poor finishing at Vicarage Road indicates we still haven't found the cutting edge we need to take three points from games in which we aren't firing on all cylinders in the final third.
With Diego Costa looking increasingly dangerous at the tip of attack and Eden Hazard regaining at least some degree of confidence, I expect it might not be too long before we start finding the net with more regularity.
At the back we look sound but there's plenty of room for improvement. We conceded 12 shots at goal against Watford and although many of them were hopeful attempts, we can't afford to be so generous against the United strike force.
In terms of one-on-one match ups, I think Branislav Ivanovic could be in for a rough night against Anthony Martial. Our burly full-back has certainly improved since his diabolical form throughout the first half of the season, but his lack of pace could see him exposed against one of the most in-form wide players in the top-flight.
My head says this one will end as a 1-1 draw but my heart says we'll steal a 2-1 win. What are your score predictions?
