Premier League: Chelsea v Manchester United match preview

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

Roberto Di Matteo has considered Arsenal a threat since the start of the season (Getty Images)

Manchester United visit league leaders Chelsea in the pick of the weekend’s games as United look to close the gap at the top of the table to one point.

European champions, Chelsea, have won seven of their opening eight matches to establish themselves as the team to beat in the league, but the Blues lost 2-1 to Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday, while United recorded their third victory from three group games after beating Braga 3-2.

Despite convincing wins over both Spurs and Arsenal, Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo will see this clash as an opportunity to prove his side are serious title challengers while Sir Alex Ferguson will not want his side to fall further behind with Arsenal travelling to Old Trafford next week.

KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm

PAST THREE MEETINGS…

Chelsea 3 (Evans OG, Mata, Luiz) Man United 3 (Rooney 2, Hernandez), Premier League, February 2012

Man United 3 (Smalling, Nani, Rooney) Chelsea 1 (Torres), Premier League, September 2011

Man United 2 (Hernandez, Vidic) Chelsea 1 (Lampard), Premier League, March 2011

STATS...

Chelsea have scored 21 goals in their last six matches in all competitions

Javier Hernandez, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie all scored against Chelsea last season

The Red Devils haven’t won a league game at Stamford Bridge since 2003

CLASSIC MATCH...

In October '99, Chelsea battered United 5-0 at Stamford Bridge ending a run of 29 games unbeaten for the Red Devils. Poyet scored twice, United defender Henning Berg scored an own goal whilst Chris Sutton and Jody Morris also got on the scoresheet.

ODDS...

Chelsea to win: 2.30

Man United to win: 2.87

Draw: 3.25

TV: Live on Sky Sports 1 at 4pm and highlights on BBC1 at 10.25pm