CHELSEA and Manchester United will be adding another chapter to their long-standing rivalry when they clash TONIGHT.
The Blues witnessed their five-game winning run come to an end on Wednesday, courtesy of West London rivals Brentford.
And they also saw top-four rivals United close the gap on them to just a point after the Red Devils’ comfortable 2-0 win over Tottenham.
- Start time: 5:30pm UK time
- TV/Live stream: Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Premier League
- Chelsea XI: Kepa, Chalobah, Silva, Cucurella, Azpilicueta, Loftus-Cheek, Jorginho, Chilwell, Mount, Sterling, Aubameyang
- Man Utd: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford
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Predictions?
This is a tough one to call for us at SunSport…
Chelsea haven’t beaten United in the league for almost five years, but we think that fortune might finally end today.
We are going to go for a 2-1 Chelsea win, which sees Graham Potters unbeaten streak continue, but Chelsea’s defence finally breached.
Who do you think will win it?
Christian Pulisic unfortunate?
Christian Pulisic has been in great form for Chelsea as of late, and will consider himself unfortunate not to be in the starting XI for the game today.
He grabbed a goal against Wolves, and then put in impressive performances against Villa and Brentford, both from the bench.
But today, he has retained his position on the bench, and seems to be Graham Potters favourite super sub…
Christian Pulisic will consider himself unlucky not to start against United…Credit: PA No Koulibaly… Fred dropped…
There is no Koulibaly in the Chelsea squad at all for today’s game, when most would have expected the Senegalese rock in Chelsea’s defence to start.
Rumour has it that he has fallen ill, or picked up a last minute injury, but nothing is confirmed as of yet.
If he is injured, then Chelsea may struggle at the back a bit today, with 2/3 of their first choice center backs missing through injury.
For Manchester United, Brazilian midfielder Fred has been left on the bench, as Casemiro and Eriksen have both been selected in midfield ahead of him.
A record for Azpilicueta…
Well, he wouldn’t have been the first choice for most (If any) Chelsea fans at right wing back today, if Reece James was fit, that is.
But, he is starting nonetheless, and it is his 333rd appearance in the Premier League, going joint 3rd for Chelsea in the competition.
Only John Terry, Frank Lampard, and Petr Cech (Also on 333) have played more for The Blues.
Captain. Leader. Legend.
Manchester United Starting XI…
This is how the visitors line up today…
Manchester United’s starting XI… Credit: @ManUtd via Twitter. Your Chelsea line-up!
This is how Chelsea line up to take on Manchester United, good luck figuring that one out…
Chelsea’s starting XI vs Manchester United. Credit: @ChelseaFC Via Twitter. A different proposition…
However, times have changed since that win for Chelsea in 2017, and both teams will feel fairly confident going into today’s game.
New Chelsea boss Graham Potter is still unbeaten since he took charge of The Blues, and they have looked impressive at times, particularly in their 5-0 aggregate win over AC Milan.
They are solid in defence, and have not conceded a goal in over 7 hours of play, they are also yet to lose a game in which Trevoh Chalobah has started in defence, so that could be a good omen if he starts this evening…
It’s been a while…
For Chelsea fans, this is always one of the biggest and toughest games in a Premier League season, seeing as the last time The Blues got the better of United in the league was the 5th November 2017.
It was Alvaro Morata who scored the winner that day, as Chelsea began with a side that also featured Bakayoko and Zappacosta, both of whom are now distant memories for most Chelsea fans.
They have had a few cup wins over the Red Devils, and plenty of PL draws in that time, but a win would be a huge step forward for Graham Potter’s men this afternoon.
Morata scored the winner against United in 2017…Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd Good evening! Welcome to Chelsea vs Manchester United!
Good evening football fans, and welcome to SunSport’s coverage of this evening’s 5:30pm kick-off, Chelsea vs Manchester United.
Manchester United travel to London today and will be hoping to pick up another three points, in what has been a good start to the season for the Red Devils, all things considered.
Chelsea currently sit 4th in the Premier League table, just one point ahead of today’s opponents in 5th, and will extend their lead over them to four points with a win.
However, a loss to Manchester United will see the visitors go two points ahead of The Blues, and sit in that final Champions League place.
We are set for a great game, and we hope you enjoy all the entertainment that is on offer on an excellent afternoon of Premier League football.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
