It is that time of the year, we hear title speculations, teams fighting for European football. This weekend the big English giants clash to solidify their top-four aspirations.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaers’s side travels to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea. Manchester United who is currently sitting second in the table is just six-point ahead of Chelsea. A win for the blues at home can help them cut short their gap to three points.
Manchester City with their 10 game winning streak is almost assured of the EPL title, but the top four are still undecided with several clubs stacking up closely looking for an opportunity.
A bad result for United this weekend could turn the table upside down and Chelsea can use this momentum to push forward to that UCL ticket.
Chelsea is coming into this fixture with a brilliant UCL win against Athletico Madrid that gave the blues a one-away goal advantage for their round of 16 knockout ties.
At the same time, United advanced to the next round by an aggregate score of 4-0 against Real Sociedad. However, the reverse fixture at Old Trafford was an uninspiring goalless draw.
Date, kick-off time, and venue
Chelsea vs Man Utd is scheduled for a 4:30 pm GMT kick-off on Sunday, February 28, 2021, and will be held without fans at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea vs Man Utd team news
Chelsea got a well-deserved clean sheet against Athletico Madrid even without the presence of veteran defender Thiago Silva. This gives Tuchel a breathing space to continue with Rudiger and Christensen who were solid against Athletico, and not to rush Thiago Silva on to the pitch.
Solskjear however after the goalless draw against Real Sociedad said to BT sports, that he hopes to have Doney Van De Beek, Scott Mactominay, and Edinson Cavani for the weekend and added that Pual Pogba will still need a couple of weeks to recover. Dan James who got a knock during the game against Sociedad is again a player that is in doubt to feature at Stamford Bridge.
Predictions
From what we have seen, Tuchel likes to play things close to the chest, he doesn’t want to rush the team to his ways of playing and is taking small baby steps. Ole on the other hand tries to be cagy and defensive against the traditional top six teams.
Chelsea vs Man Utd prediction: 1-1 draw
Last meeting: Man Utd 0-0 Chelsea (24/10/2020)
