Manchester United and Chelsea will square off tomorrow in what is the most anticipated tie of the Premier League match week. Both the sides are in dire need of a win. After impressive results in the Champions League, they’ll hope to kick on in the league.
After Liverpool’s result earlier today, Manchester United have now been pushed down to third in the league. Though the two sides will face off in the coming weeks, Jose Mourinho will want his side to climb above Liverpool and to do that, they’ll need to beat Chelsea.
Antonio Conte has a superior head to head record against Jose Mourinho having won thrice, and lost just once. The reverse leg between the two clubs ended with a win for the hosts Chelsea as an Alvaro Morata strike proved to be the difference between the two sides.
Manchester United don’t have too many fond memories against Chelsea in the last few years. Their win against Conte’s men last April was the only time the Red Devils got the better of Chelsea in the last 10 meetings, a record they’ll want to change tomorrow.
The meeting between the two clubs tomorrow will have a bit of animosity not only because Conte and Mourinho have a history of press conference tirades but also due to the fact that Chelsea have let Juan Mata and Nemanja leave for their rivals.
Team news
Manchester United will be without midfielder Ander Herrera who picked up a hamstring injury against Sevilla. The midfield could see Paul Pogba returning to the starting XI and take his place in the midfield pivot alongside Nemanja Matic.
Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones are still out, which means Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly, for the first time since last year, could start together.
Conte will be without the services of Ross Barkley, David Luiz and Tiemoue Bakayoko for the high-profile clash.
Morata and Giroud are available for selection and it’ll be intriguing to see who Conte selects. Morata scored the win at Stamford Bridge but his form has been patchy ever since. Giroud, after his move from Arsenal, has impressed with his understanding with Eden Hazard.
Probable line-ups
Manchester United predicted XI: De Gea, Young, Bailly, Smalling, Valencia, Pogba, Matic, Martial, Lukaku, Sanchez
Chelsea predicted XI: Courtois, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, Moses, Fabregas, Kanté, Alonso, Willian, Hazard, Giroud
Odds
Manchester United: 5/4
Draw: 9/4
Chelsea: 9/4