Date: Monday 17th
February 2020
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick-off: 20:00 GMT
After what’s felt a
slightly odd break in games, the return for everyone else over the weekend has
seen our gap cut to just one point, so it’ll be a test of character tonight as
much as anything else.
Tonight’s game sees us
take on Manchester United at Stamford Bridge – a side we’ve lost to twice
already this season. They brought in Odion Ighalo in January, who may or may
not feature, and along with the odd raised eyebrow at his signing, there’s
plenty of noise from the visitors at their current injury list.
We didn’t strengthen in
the January window of course, and we’re still missing players like Loftus-Cheek
and Pulisic, with Tammy also doubtful, so without any new additions we’re light
on attacking options. United’s attack
seems to have been bolstered somewhat with nine penalties so far this season, and
whilst our defence might have improved a little, it’s still prone to the odd wobble
in a game, so we could definitely play ourselves into trouble.
On a positive note, we
do still have a point between us and fifth spot whatever the outcome of tonight’s
game and it’s only Spurs up next – so no pressure!
MANAGER’S
VIEWS
Going into today’s game, Chelsea manager Frank
Lampard, says “It’s a game that we want to win. You can control the attitude
and desire. They are
a good team, have added some players in January. I do expect a tough game on
Monday and it’s a direct rival. With football that gaps can chop and change. We
are aware of the points, United and Spurs are big games.”
Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
meanwhile, says “A win gives us a
three point gap, and that’s what we’ve got to aim for. We’ve played them twice this season and done
well. Chelsea are a good team at home
but we’re going to try and win the game, we’ve got to to give us more belief
and more hope, we need to kick on.”
SQUAD
NEWS
For Chelsea, van Ginkel (ACL) remains out, whilst Ruben
Loftus-Cheek (Achilles) and Christian Pulisic (abductor) are not yet ready for
a return. Tammy Abraham (ankle) has missed a bit of training and faces a late test.
For Manchester United, Marcus Rashford, Paul Pogba
and Scott McTominay are all still sidelined with injury. Nemanja Matic is
available after suspension and new signing Odion Ighalo is in the squad and
could feature.
TEAMS
CHELSEA (Possible line-up): Caballero; Azpilicueta, Zouma, Rudiger, Alonso;
Kante; Jorginho; Kovacic; Willian, Mount; Batshuayi.
MANCHESTER
UNITED (Possible line-up): De Gea; Lindelof, Maguire, Shaw; Wan-Bissaka, Fred,
Matic, Williams; Fernandes; Martial, James
LAST
SEASON
Chelsea
2-2 Manchester United (20th October 2018)
CURRENT
FORM (PL)
CHELSEA:
WDWLDD
MANCHESTER
UNITED: WLWLLD
OTHER
STUFF
- Chelsea
have lost just one of their past 17 Premier League home games against
Manchester United.
- Manchester
United won 4-0 in the reverse fixture in August
- United
have already won at Stamford Bridge this season (2-1 victory in the EFL Cup).
- Chelsea
have won just one of their past five league matches.
- Chelsea
have won more Premier League points in away matches than at Stamford Bridge
during the current campaign.
- Only 16
of Chelsea’s 43 Premier League goals this campaign have been scored at home.
- Manchester
United have lost three of their last five top-flight games.
- Manchester
United have lost three of their last four away games in the top flight.
- Manchester
United have kept just one clean sheet in their 12 away games in the top flight
this season.
PREDICTION
BBC Sport: Chelsea 2-0 Manchester United
Sky Sports: Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United
Sportsmole: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United