Chelsea host Manchester United at
Stamford Bridge in clash that pits the apprentice against the master, yet again…
A win in the tie could take Jose
Mourinho’s team eleven points clear of third place Manchester United with a
game in hand and will certainly end talk of a potential late title challenge from
the Mancunians this season.
The London side are also seven
clear of an in form Arsenal, who visit Reading tomorrow in the FA Cup, which
could rise to ten if they were to win today, while Arsenal do not play in the
League again till next weekend’s clash against Chelsea.
Manchester United, on the other
hand will be happy to be in a position to secure Champions League
qualification, meaning a defeat should be avoided if they are to maintain a
four point gap over local rivals Manchester City.
On the injuries front, Chelsea
are without their top scorer Diego Costa, who is out with a hamstring problem
and possibly Frenchman Loic Remy, who missed last weekend’s clash against QPR
with a calf injury. United, on the other hand have Daley Blind (ankle), Michael
Carrick (calf), Phil Jones (ankle) and Marcos Rojo (groin) out.
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| Michael Carrick and Daley Blind are both out of tonight's clash |
Chelsea could potentially line up
with a 4-3-3 set up to neutralize the threat of an in form Marouane Fellaini,
who has been linking up well with United’s wide men going forward. Nemanja
Matic, Cesc Fabregas and Ramires are all expected to line up in the middle with
the Serbian closing down the likes of Fellaini who likes to come deep when the
ball is being played from the back. Fabregas and Ramires, on the other hand
will be Chelsea’s key passers, moving the ball up the pitch quickly for Willian
and Eden Hazard to create chances.
The Blues’ steady backline is expected
to remain unchanged from their last time out with Branislav Ivanovic, Gary
Cahill, John Terry and Cesar Azpilicueta continuing as the backbone of the
side.
As for Manchester United, injuries
to key players mean that they have only Chris Smalling and Paddy McNair
available at center backs, with Luke Shaw possibly available today. They should
line up in a 4-3-3 as well, with Ander Herrera, Fellaini and former Chelsea
man Juan Mata in midfield. Ashley Young’s strong performance in recent weeks
means he could start on the flank, which will then make it a 4-2-3-1 with
Fellaini and Herrera in the centre, Young, Mata and Di Maria as the attacking
trio supporting Wayne Rooney upfront.
Another alternative option could
be for Falcao to play upfront with Rooney dropping deep to support the midfield
and track back when Chelsea do attack on the counter.
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| Cesc and Matic will be crucial to Chelsea's performance against United |
Whatever Van Gaal does choose to
start with, Chelsea will tend to play on the back foot, trying to contain the
aerial threats through Fellaini along with the quality from the likes of Mata
and Young and on current form. Mourinho is astute enough to understand United’s
frailties at the back, even more so because of the injuries, to take advantage
of it on the counter through the trickery and pace of Willian and Hazard.
Although their striking department is a concern, their midfield has enough
goals in them to take them over the line.
All in all, one could expect a classic
encounter between these rivals with Chelsea clearly having an upper hand
despite United’s recent run of victories against top teams.
Written by
Aman Arora
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