Chelsea host bitter rivals Manchester United at Stamford Bridge over the weekend in a high-billed meeting between two top clubs.
Thomas Tuchel’s men enjoyed a superb midweek outing on home turf against Italian giants Juventus with the Blues posting a 4-0 win over the visitors who could not salvage anything of their travels to the English capital.
The Blues are currently three points clear of the second-placed Manchester City City ahead of the weekend and four points clear of the third-placed Liverpool and it is clear that Tuchel’s men have been in control of the title race so far this season.
For the visitors to the Bridge Manchester United, it is expected to be a tough task under the charge of the interim Michael Carrick who has taken over since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was handed the sack from the United board.
Carrick’s men will be in for a stern test when they make the trip to West London come Saturday to face off against the table-toppers Chelsea who have fired on all cylinders over the course of the campaign so far.
WHEN AND WHERE?
We keep moving. ✊ pic.twitter.com/0OcLge1Qaw
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) November 25, 2021
Date – 27 November
Time – 2 PM GMT
Venue – Stamford Bridge
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea’s worries on the injury front failed to subside in the aftermath of the Juventus game with key first-team duo N’Golo Kante and Ben Chilwell being withdrawn as fears linger over the pairing’s fitness levels.
There is the talk doing the rounds that the in-form Blues wing-back Chilwell could be in line to miss the remainder of the season with an ACL injury which would come as a major concern for the boss Thomas Tuchel.
Romelu Lukaku was on the bench last time around and the summer recruit will be vying for a starting role after his recent niggle keeping him out of Tuchel’s plans.
Kai Havertz is another name in the Chelsea attacking roster who is backed for a return to the team sheet with his thigh injury against Leicester City sidelining him for the midweek outing.
Midfield man Mateo Kovacic will not be in the mix to feature with the Croatia international a long-term absentee for the Chelsea camp.
KEY BATTLE
Antonio Rudiger vs Cristiano Ronaldo
Rudiger has been immense in his displays at the back for Chelsea in spite of the speculation that remains rife over his future at the club beyond the next summer amid his contract standoff.
For the visitors, it is the talisman Cristiano Ronaldo who holds key to his side’s fortunes with Michael Carrick’s side seeking a much-needed return to winning ways on the Premier League front.
PREDICTION
Manchester United should head into the contest with renewed energy under the new gaffer but we back Chelsea to be the strong favourites to clinch the win.
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United
