Chelsea meet Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in a blockbuster Super Sunday clash as both teams bid for a top four finish in the Premier League.
Victory would see Chelsea climb into fourth above West Ham, whereas Man Utd can reduce their deficit in the title race back to ten points behind Manchester City.
Team News
Thiago Silva is still ruled out for Chelsea with a muscle injury which has kept him sidelined for the Blues’ last five matches.
Man Utd could welcome Edinson Cavani and Donny van de Beek back from muscle injuries.
Scott McTominay (knock) could also return but Daniel James (hamstring) is a doubt and could join Juan Mata (unspecified), Paul Pogba (muscle) and Phil Jones (knee) on sidelines.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea are winless in their last six league meetings against Man Utd (D3, L3).
- Man Utd have won just one of their last five league trips to Stamford Bridge (W1, D2, L2).
- Utd’s Anthony Martial has scored three goals in his last two Premier League away appearances against Chelsea (W1, D1).
- Chelsea are yet to concede in three home matches under Thomas Tuchel (W2, D1).
- Three of Bruno Fernandes’ eight goals for Man Utd across all competitions in 2021 have come away from Old Trafford.
Prediction
Chelsea put in a great performance to defeat Atletico Madrid on Tuesday in the Champions League, yet that was the second consecutive match in which they rode their luck through poor defending and haphazard goalkeeping from Edouard Mendy.
Man Utd meanwhile look to be taking this game seriously after resting numerous key players in Thursday’s goalless Europa League draw against Real Sociedad, yet will have to improve defensively after a sloppy start against Newcastle last Sunday before recovering to take a clinical win.
I therefore am expecting a cracking contest here but unless Chelsea sort out their backlines, Man Utd’s fresh players will certainly fancy their chances and I fancy them to take those chances if can get on the front foot early because Chelsea can’t keep getting away with sloppiness in defence.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester United
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