Chelsea host Manchester United in a marquee Premier League clash in the race for European qualification.
Depending on results earlier in the day, Chelsea could begin this match sat as low as ninth in the table but victory would lift them back up to sixth and one point off fifth-placed Liverpool.
Man Utd will stay third with a win.
Team News
Enzo Fernandez is available for Chelsea after he was suspended for their last two matches in all competitions due to an internal disciplinary matter.
Trevoh Chalobah (ankle) could return subject to a late fitness test, but is more likely to feature on the bench if fit rather than go into the starting line-up.
Reece James, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens (both hamstring), Filip Jorgensen (groin), Levi Colwill (ACL) and Mykhailo Mudryk (suspension) are still sidelined.
Man Utd will be without Lisandro Martinez after he was red carded for a pull on Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s hair in their 2-1 home defeat against Leeds.
Kobbie Mainoo could return after he sat out that game with a knock, but will face a late fitness test.
Harry Maguire (suspension), Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) and Matthijs De Ligt (back) are still ruled out.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Man Utd at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 18 April at 8pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have won two of their last 16 league meetings against Man Utd (W2, D8, L6).
- Man Utd are winless in their last five league visits to Chelsea (D3, L2).
- Chelsea have kept a single clean sheet in their last four home matches against Man Utd.
- Liam Rosenoir’s Blues have lost three of their last four matches in all competitions by a 3-0 result (W1, L3), except for their 7-0 FA Cup Quarter-Final victory at home to Port Vale earlier this month.
- Casemiro has scored in three of Man Utd’s last four matches (W1, D1, L2).
Prediction
Now four points adrift of fifth-placed Liverpool and playing before the Reds this weekend, Chelsea absolutely must take full advantage if want to put pressure on Arne Slot’s side and be more clinical than they were when on top in their eventual 3-0 defeat against Manchester City.
Rosenoir though will be concerned about the fact that they have lost three of their last four matches and each of the defeats were a 3-0 result, whilst their defending for their three conceded goals against City were just lacklustre and careless in terms of marking.
Man Utd meanwhile were just outplayed in the opening hour of their defeat to Leeds and aside from Casemiro’s header, they just lacked the sharp final touch to beat Karl Darlow amidst some poor discipline from Martinez, which has left them defensively vulnerable as he and Maguire are now both suspended.
Chelsea therefore will surely feel like they will target Utd’s central defence but I do think that Utd’s attack has more confidence in terms of finding the net, so I wouldn’t be surprised if this ends in a draw.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Man Utd