Louis
van Gaal's resurgent Manchester United face their toughest task to date when
they travel to Premier League leaders Chelsea on
Saturday Night
Football.
United are enjoying their most successful spell of the season and head to
London on the back of five consecutive victories, the latest of which being
a 4-2 derby victory over champions Manchester City.
With a top-four finish seemingly in the bag, United know a victory could
reignite their faint chances of winning a 14th Premier League crown,
although victory would give a bigger boost to second-placed Arsenal.
Chelsea head into the game knowing they require just 11 points from their
remaining seven games to secure a fourth Premier League crown, which would
be Jose Mourinho's third with the club.
While maintaining their tilt for the title in recent weeks, the Blues have
failed to show their early-season superiority, only overcoming Hull, Stoke
and QPR by the odd goal in their last three games.
Chelsea will enter the game confident having lost just one of their last 12
Premier League games at home to United - a controversial 3-2 defeat in
October 2012.
They have only tasted defeat at home in the Premier League once under Jose
Mourinho, a 1-0 loss to Sunderland exactly a year ago.
Team news
Loic Remy could return from a calf injury which ruled him out of Chelsea's
1-0 win at QPR last weekend.
Diego Costa, who also missed the trip to Loftus Road, could return from his
hamstring injury in next week's match at Arsenal. Chelsea have no other
injury concerns.
Van Gaal will have to reshuffle his defence for the trip to Stamford Bridge
after he revealed Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Michael Carrick
would all miss the game.
With Jonny Evans still serving his suspension for spitting, United are left
with Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett as the only available
centre-backs.
Opta facts
Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 Barclays Premier League home
games against Manchester United (W7 D4 L1).
Manchester United have suffered more Premier League defeats against Chelsea
than versus any other side (15).
Chelsea have scored 100 goals in 47 games this season (2.13 per game) while
United have 68 in 38 matches (1.79).
Juan Mata has three goals and an assist in his last three Premier League
games.
Manchester United have 65 points, one more than they collected in the whole
of 2013-14 (64).
Wayne Rooney has scored or assisted 120 Premier League goals away from home,
the fourth highest total in the division’s history.
Merson's prediction
Chelsea will be fully focused on not losing the game. Jose Mourinho will set
up to contain Manchester United. He’s done it before and, with the title on
the line, he’ll do it again.
The pressure will certainly be off Manchester United. They have a bit of a
free swing at Stamford Bridge but this game will be a real test of how far
United have come under Louis van Gaal. They have certainly improved but this
will be a real test against a Chelsea side that has been the best team in
the country by a mile this season.
I think this will be a tight game and I can see it finishing in a 1-1 draw.
Chelsea will definitely settle for that!
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
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