Chelsea v Manchester United: Premier League match preview

A look ahead to this weekend's Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge

Danny Gallagher

Saturday 18 April 2015 11:51 BST

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal looks on from the sideline (Getty)

Louis van Gaal takes his in-form Manchester United side to Stamford Bridge for Saturday’s tea-time kick off, as the Red Devils aim to put a halt to any premature title celebrations in central London and leapfrog Arsenal in second place.

A 90th minute Robin van Persie equaliser was required to save United’s blushes the last time these two sides met, on an overcast Sunday back in October. Mourinho’s men had led since the 54th minute courtesy of a Didier Drogba strike, but the resilience of United meant all three points were destined not to travel back down South. United were sitting in eight then, yet they go into this weekend’s encounter eight points adrift of Chelsea, with the league leaders holding a game in hand.

Fresh off the back of a comfortable derby victory over noisy neighbours Manchester City, United will be buoyed by the potential return of Robin van Persie, who resumed full training this week. Marouane Fellaini will provide the fire power in midfield after making himself an automatic name on the team sheet in recent weeks, though influential midfielder Michael Carrick faces a race to be fit after limping out of the City clash.

Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

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1/11Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

GK: David De Gea

Thibaut Courtois has been excellent in his debut season in England but the Spaniard has been the division's form keeper. Behind what has been a shaky defence, De Gea has been unbeatable at times, winning a hat full of points for his side.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

DR: Branislav Ivanovic

The Serbian is the best right-back in the league but has started to look tired in recent weeks under a heavy workload - he's played every single minute in the Premier League this season. Antonio Valencia has performed better than expected at right-back but is stil weakness.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

DC: Gary Cahill

The England defender has recovered from a wobble in form to get back to his previous high level. Chris Smalling has been excellent in recent weeks, but has a bit to go before he can be considered on a par with Cahill.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

DC: John Terry

Terry remains the best central defender in the Premier League and has been vital to Chelsea's charge this season, and like Ivanovic has played every minute of every game. He'll need to have a good game to stop rampant Wayne Rooney.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

LB: Cesar Azpilicueta

Daley Blind was in the original team but now that he has been ruled out Azpilicueta gets the nod ahead of Luke Shaw, who will likely come in for the visitors. Azpilicueta has struggled in recent weeks but Shaw has had an up and down first season at United and hasn't managed to fully convince his manager.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

CM: Nemanja Matic

Like Blind, Carrick has been ruled out with injury and he originally filled this spot in the team. But now he is missing Matic comes in, with it not entirely clear which way Van Gaal will set up for the game at Stamford Bridge.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

CM: Ander Herrera

It was an ongoing mystery why Herrera was out of the team at the start of the season. Since he returned to the starting line-up at Preston, United have won seven out of their 10 games with Herrera scoring four vital goals from midfield. The Spaniard offers a drive and athleticism that was sorely lacking at the start of the season.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

AM: Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas has endured some criticism about his recent form, especially given the quality to his start to life at Stamford Bridge. But Fabregas has still played pretty well and proved last week he is a vital match-winner for the side. Marouane Fellaini has been great in recent weeks, but there are still some glaring weaknesses in his game.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

RM: Juan Mata

Chelsea should still be regretting the day they ever sold their former Player of the Year. Oscar, the man whom Jose Mourinho backed, has been poor for a while and is struggling to break into the starting XI. Mata, like Herrera, has shone since returning from his curious time in the wilderness. Willian needs to add more goals to his energetic game.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

LM: Eden Hazard

Ashley Young has arguably been Louis van Gaal's most consistent player, but Hazard is the frontrunner for the Player of the Year award. The Belgian has been nothing short of excellent all season and is Chelsea's biggest attacking threat.

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Chelsea vs Manchester United combined XI

ST: Wayne Rooney

With Diego Costa out this chjoice is a simple one - Rooney returning up front has been the biggest single cause for United's resurgence. Surprisingly that means United have more players in this combined XI, an indicator of the recent performances of the two sides.

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Renowned as a master tactician, Jose Mourinho will have to devise a means of combating the Manchester United left flank, whose combination of Daley Blind and Ashley Young, along with the input of Fellaini, has been devastating in recent weeks. The Portuguese will be confident of drawing upon his often used trump card in winger Eden Hazard to conjure up something special and put the Blues within touching distance of their fifth top-flight domestic title.

KICK OFF: Saturday, 5.30pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS

Manchester United 1 (Robin Van Persie) Chelsea 1 (Didier Drogba) Premier League, October 2014

Chelsea 3 (Samuel Eto’o (3) ) Manchester United 1 (Javier Hernandez) Premier League, January 2014

Manchester United 0 Chelsea 0 Premier League, August 2013

STATS

United have a 28.22 per cent win ratio in this fixture, compared to 19.44 per cent of Chelsea

The highest scoring tie between these two sides came in 1955, with United prevailing in a 6-5 thriller.

Regarded as two of the best goalkeepers in the world, both Chelsea stopper Thibaut Courtois and Manchester United’s David De Gea have kept 10 clean sheets so far this campaign.

ODDS

Chelsea to win: 2.05

United to win: 3.4

Draw: 3.8

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 HD

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