An attention-grabbing Premier League battle takes centre stage at Stamford Bridge on Thursday night, as Chelsea welcomes Manchester United.
Each Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are beneath huge strain to show their membership’s fortunes round as they give the impression of being to complete the season strongly with simply 9 Premier League video games left to play. The 2 groups enter this contest after managing a solitary level in opposition to relegation-threatened groups final weekend—Chelsea had been held to a 2-2 draw by 10-man Burnley at dwelling earlier than Manchester United conceded a 99th-minute equaliser in a 1-1 away stalemate to Brentford.
Mauricio Pochettino’s facet might be looking for revenge in opposition to the Purple Devils after they suffered a 2-1 defeat within the reverse fixture at Outdated Trafford in December. The final time the Blues bought the higher of Man United within the Premier League was again in 2017, due to an important header from Alvaro Morata.
Chelsea vs Manchester United—Crew Information
Chelsea
Chelsea have acquired a well timed harm enhance forward of the Man United recreation, with Malo Gusto set to be out there for choice. The French right-back got here off within the 87th minute of Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Burnley and was a health concern, however he appears to have averted a hamstring harm.
Each Ben Chilwell and Trevoh Chalobah are additionally pushing to return to face Ten Hag’s males after the duo missed the sport in opposition to Burnley with health issues. Levi Colwill, Robert Sanchez, Lesley Ugochukwu, Wesley Fofana, Reece James and Christopher Nkunku stay out, however Carney Chukwuemeka might return for the hosts on Thursday.
As Sanchez is injured, Djordje Petrovic ought to proceed in aim for the Blues. Malo Gusto suffered cramps within the closing minutes in opposition to Burnley and needs to be match to begin at right-back, with Marc Cucurella hoping to make a distinction from the left-back place. French duo Axel Disasi and Benoit Badiashile are anticipated to retain their spots in central defence.
Up forward in midfield, Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo ought to look to regulate the movement of the sport in opposition to Man United. Conor Gallagher acts because the inventive glue from the No.10 spot, with Cole Palmer and Mykhaylo Mudryk providing aptitude, tempo and dynamism from the broad areas. Lastly, Nicolas Jackson ought to proceed main the assault for Pochettino’s facet.
Manchester United
Quite the opposite, Manchester United have suffered a double harm blow forward of the journey to Chelsea, with Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof dominated out for as much as a month as a consequence of muscle issues, becoming a member of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial on the sidelines.
Jonny Evans has missed the final couple of video games, whereas Raphael Varane was taken off at half-time in opposition to Brentford as a precautionary measure. In the meantime, Amad Diallo is obtainable once more after serving his one-game ban, following his extra-time winner in opposition to Liverpool within the FA Cup quarter-final tie at Outdated Trafford earlier than the worldwide break.
Andre Onana produced a sequence of key saves in opposition to Brentford final weekend, serving to the Purple Devils eke a degree on the Gtech Group Stadium. He’s a sure starter in aim, with Raphael Varane partnering Harry Maguire in central defence. Having struggled at left-back in opposition to Brentford, Aaron Wan-Bissaka might swap to his authentic right-back place with Diogo Dalot transferring to the opposite facet of the defence.
Casemiro got here off the bench and assisted Mason Mount’s opening aim within the stoppage time in opposition to Brentford. He needs to be match to begin on the base of the midfield, permitting Kobbie Mainoo to run the present along with his crisp passing and sensible motion.
As a no.10, Bruno Fernandes will look to take advantage of areas behind Chelsea’s backline and use his imaginative and prescient to launch wingers Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho on the break. Rasmus Hojlund ought to lead the Man United assault, and having endured a tricky time in opposition to Brentford centre-backs, he might be raring to get himself on the scoresheet.
Chelsea vs Manchester United—Predicted Lineups
Predicted Chelsea Lineup (4-2-3-1): Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Mudryk; Jackson
Predicted Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Varane, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Rashford, Garnacho, Fernandes; Hojlund
Chelsea vs Manchester United—Key Gamers
Chelsea—Cole Palmer
Since arriving from Manchester Metropolis final summer time, Cole Palmer has been Chelsea’s standout performer this season. With 13 objectives and eight assists in 25 league video games, the Englishman has thrived on the precise, within the no.10 position and as a false 9. He can unlock defences in a blink of a watch and rating objectives from distance, so Man United need to be cautious of Palmer.
Manchester United—Rasmus Hojlund
Rasmus Hojlund’s type for the reason that flip of the yr has been implausible, offering Man United with the focus they’ve craved over the previous couple of seasons. Though but to totally justify his £72m price ticket, the Dane has grown into an integral first-team participant beneath Ten Hag, contributing in each containers. Given Chelsea’s clear weaknesses on the again, he’ll fancy his possibilities to attain in midweek.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
I’m Rohan Sengupta from one of many busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a eager curiosity in sports activities, soccer is one thing I merely can’t dwell with out and writing, discussing and analyzing the sport is what I do 24*7.