The blues are set to welcome the red devils at Stamford bridge for the first time this season. Following a draw against Brentford, Chelsea look to bounce back this weekend when they face Manchester United, who beat Tottenham two goals to nil in the previous match.
Chelsea plagued with injuries with United looking strong
However, Chelsea are faced with a series of injuries, following the latest Reece James injury when they played Ac Milan in the champions league. Reece James has been arguably the best Chelsea player this season and will be missed by Chelsea and England fans since he won’t be available for the world cup, which will start in a month’s time. Also, Ng’olo Kante will be out following an injury setback while training. Wesley Fofana will also not feature due to an injury he faced while playing AC Milan in the first leg of their Champions League group contest.
On the other end, Manchester United look comfortable with an almost fully-fit squad. Christian Eriksen returned to United’s squad midweek against Spurs. Antony Martial and Harry Maguire have been ruled out again, joining Aaron Wan-Bissaka as the only absentees. Their most important players will be in the contest against Chelsea apart from Cristiano Ronaldo, who Eric Ten Hag suspended for walking down the tunnel before the full time and refused to be substituted in the ninetieth minute against Spurs.
The dynamic of the game
The two teams have drawn in their last four games, so it won’t be an easy game to predict. The Blues aim to maintain their number four spot if they beat or even get a draw against the red devils. Manchester United will have to beat Chelsea, who are above them with one point in the EPL, and claim the number four spot.
Reece James’ spot might be covered by Cesar Azpilicueta or Ruben Loftus Cheek, who has also been brilliant in the Right wing-back position. However, none of them will actually offer what Reece James offered; that’s why James will be a big miss. Whoever plays in that spot will have to face Manchester United wingers, who are pacey and have great dribbling attributes.
Diogo Dalot has been so brilliant this season for Manchester United clocking the third-highest top speed in the premier league. That comes in the face of some spectacular displays from him at right-back this season. The right side of Manchester united seems sorted since Diogo and Antony Santos have both been brilliant this season, and we expect them to cause Chelsea much trouble.
Casemiro also seems to have jelled perfectly well with the team. His link-up with Fred in the midfield worked out so well against the Spurs. Whether Ten Hag decides to pair him with Eriksen or Fred, that midfield will be a recipe for serious danger.
Since the appointment of Graham Potter as Chelsea’s head coach, the English man has never lost in his last seven outings, having won five and drawn two games. Kepa has also been brilliant in the past games, only conceding two goals in their last seven games and having higher expected goals saves than any other keeper in the premier league. Whoever starts up front for Manchester United will have to face Kepa’s test. The blues goalkeeper has been pivotal for Graham Potter and has secured them important points due to his prodigiousness in goal.
On the other hand, Manchester United have won three of the last five games in the premier league, drawing one against Newcastle and losing one to Manchester City. In their last two games, however, they have displayed promising consistency.
The game will kick off at 1730 hours UK time, and the ground is set for yet another thrilling encounter from these two well-matched outfits.
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