Written by Paul Michael Ezeoha
The media have been talking about this rivalry for over 3 decades. It is arguably the most iconic fixture in English football involving two of Premier league's mainstays - Chelsea FC and Manchester United.
In this tie, the former shall be the host, with United making a trip to London to face them at Stanford Bridge.
The Blues head into this fixture knowing fully well that a place in next season's Champions League is on the line. And so, they shall look set to put in all out efforts so as to come out with a positive result. A draw in this game might prove not sufficient. So, it's a matter of win or run the risk of losing out on Champions League football next season for the third season in a row - the first time in the club's history.
Both teams are in the finals of European competitions. For the Red Devils, this could be a good opportunity for some of the first team players to get rest against the Europa League final coming up next week Wednesday, as they apparently have nothing to vie for again in the league.
While this fixture may not necessarily pose serious concern for Man United, it is of great importance for Chelsea owing to their pursuit for a place in next season's Champions League competition. So, there is every possibility that their regular staters would feature in this match, thus putting these players at risk of sustaining injuries or even becoming fatigued, which would necessitate their absence against a pretty tough La Liga opponent in Real Betis.
Although one might say that Chelsea wouldn't want to risk trading a spot in the Champions League - which has greater financial benefits compared to winning the Conference League- by resting their regular starters for this tie. This mightn't be the case.
The Blues may seek to make history by becoming the first team to win all three UEFA competitions by lifting the Conference League. So, the final might as well be important to them as a place in Next season's Champions League.
But, irrespective of what their intention is, one thing that is quite certain is that this match is paramount for them.
In this pre-match analysis, we shall look at both teams' head-to-head, recent performance in the league, team news. Also, predictions on their starting line ups shall be given.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
In total, Man United and Chelsea have played against each other 60 times in the Premier League. Out these matches, Chelsea have the highest number of wins with 18, while Man United have 17. The total number of goals scored in these games is 143, and the number of draws is 25(the highest recorded in Premier League history). These stats reflect the highly competitive nature of these fixtures.
Going by their last 6 encounters in recent time, Man United have two wins to their name, a 4-1 scoreline on May 25, 2023, and 2-1 on 3rd day of December of the same year. Chelsea only have one win, 4-3, happening on 4th of April 2024. While three of these fixtures have ended in draws.
PERFORMANCES IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE SO FAR
The Blues seat in 5th berth in the Premier League with point tally of 63. They've had quite good results from their last 5 Premier League games, recording 3 wins,1 draw and 1 lose from these games.
Man United on the other hand - as we all know- have been far from their best this season. They are currently in 16th position in the league with 36 points. They've had poor results from their last 5 league games, recording lost 4 and 1 draw.
TEAM NEWS
Chelsea will be without key players for this game. They will be without defenders Wesley Fofana and David Fofana. Also, they are dealt with some absentees in the forward positions. Nicolas Jackson is suspended, Sancho is out due to escape loan inhibiting him from playing against his mother club, Mac Guiu and Nkuku are still yet to fully recover from injuries.
Man United will also be without key players like Zirkzee, De Light, Heaven, Martinez, Dalot, Collyer, and recently, Yoro.
POSSIBLE LINE UPS
With the absence of striker figures for Chelsea, Enzo Maresca would have to figure out a way to have his team cope without these players. So, he might probably fix either Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto, Enzo Fenandez or even Tyrique George in that position. But Cole Palmer is more likely to feature there, since he has good history playing in that position.
So, they could line up in their traditional 4-2-3-1 formation on paper. Sanchez between the sticks, Chalobah and Colwill may partner at central back as they've played there together for 4 matches at a stretch. Cucurella and Reece James may play in the full-back positions. Caicedo may start in his natural holding midfield position instead of the right back where he had featured for 3 consecutive games. He may partner with either Latvia or Hall. Enzo Fernandez may be given a free role, playing behind the number 9. The front three may include two of these players: Neto, George or Madueke - with both operating in the two flanks; and a false 9 which probably could be Cole Palmer.
As emphasized earlier, Man United would look to rest couple of their key players for the Europa League finals, so some of their non-first team starters may be given opportunity to start today. This notwithstanding, they may also stick with their usual 3-4-2-1 formation on paper.
Either Heaton or Beyindir may start as the goalkeeper. Academy graduate, Fredricson, may be given a place in the starting 11, he could play alongside Luke Shaw who may start in order to gain match fitness, and either Mazraoui or Victor Lindelof or any other academy products. Ahmad who needs to start in order to become fully fit against the final, may start as the right wing-back, Urgate and Mainoo may both start at holding midfield positions, while Amass may also begin at the left wing-back position. At the attacking midfield positions, Mason Mount and Fernandez may start. While at the number 9 position, we might see young Academy graduate, Obi, play in that position.
These line ups are simply predictions of mine as both teams could decide to opt for totally different formations.
Irrespective of what may be the outcome of the game, as deep lover of the sport, good game of football is all I hope to witness today.
No comments:
Post a Comment