After impressive away wins at Arsenal and Tottenham, Chelsea now host 19-time English Premier League champions Manchester United on Sunday in the biggest match of the season so far. Chelsea are unbeaten in the EPL so far and have won seven of their eight matches played in the season. On the other hand Sir Alex Ferguson’s men find themselves four points behind the Blues after losing two of eight matches.
Though Chelsea are unbeaten in the EPL, the team fell to the first loss in their defense of the Champions League title with a 2-1 defeat at Shakhtar Donetsk on Tuesday. Apart from this Chelsea have been immense all season. It will be worth watching how Roberto di Matteo’s men react to the setback against the Red Devils.
On the other hand, Ferguson's side has been uncharacteristically sloppy at the back this season, but in attack they have been immense. with Robin van Persie and Wayne Rooney working well in tandem, United have the firepower to worry Chelsea's defence who will be without their suspended skipper John Terry.
Ferguson has also been tinkering with his side's formation this season. He has preferred to go in with a midfield diamond rather than traditional 4-4-2 and this have worked wonder for them so far this season. Many also believe that this diamond can be beneficial to the Red Devils away from home. But with Chelsea the biggest test for them this season, only time will tell whether this formation can help them to glory.
On the other hand, Di Matteo's lack of squad rotation for Chelsea can work against them. His preferred starting XI have been battling it out every week in both league and European games -- so fatigue can work against them at United, who are master of counter-attack. But keeping in mind Chelsea's new-found creativity up front, led at the moment by the classy Juan Mata, United's shaky defense is sure to come under serious pressure at Stamford Bridge.
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