Chelsea host Manchester United in a must-win game for the Blues in their quest for a top-five finish on Saturday at 8pm.
The Blues are sixth in the Premier League with six games to go and sit four points outside the top five.
Chelsea predicted XI vs Man Utd
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Joao Pedro.
Liam Rosenior’s men are in very poor form. They’ve lost their last three league games, all without scoring. And they’ve managed just one win in their past seven in the league overall.
The Blues have only lost four league games in a row once this century, but it was recent enough. They did so at the end of the 2022-23 season when Frank Lampard was in interim charge after a torrid campaign.
Chelsea team news vs Man Utd
The biggest team news for Chelsea will be the return of Enzo Fernandez. Chelsea’s vice captain will be available for selection after missing the last two games through suspension. Fernandez had been suspended by the club after comments made about his Chelsea future.
The Argentine should go straight back into the starting XI, in the No.10 role. That will see Cole Palmer pushed out to the right-wing, with Estevao dropping to the bench. Pedro Neto will remain on the right, with Joao Pedro leading the line.
There are still question marks surrounding Reece James’ availability due to injury, and he may not be risked from the start even if he is fit to play. So Malo Gusto should continue at right-back, with Marc Cucurella on the left.
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Trevoh Chalobah has also given positive updates on his return from an ankle injury, but the Englishman won’t be available for this game. Jorrel Hato started in defence alongside Wesley Fofana last time out, and that could remain the centre-back pairing. But Tosin Adarabioyo, Mamadou Sarr and Josh Acheampong are all other options.
Moises Caicedo will start as one of the double pivot and he’s likely to be joined again by Andrey Santos. Romeo Lavia and Dario Essugo are the other options.
Chelsea will also be without Jamie Gittens, Levi Colwill and Filip Jorgensen.
A fortress for Chelsea
Stamford Bridge isn’t the fortress it once was for Chelsea. But Man Utd do still have a bit of fear when travelling to that part of west London.
Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 Premier League home games against Man Utd, a 2-0 defeat in February 2020. Anthony Martial and Harry Maguire scored the goals for Man Utd, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Frank Lampard the men in charge. It was Man Utd’s first league double over Chelsea — and only — since 1987-88.
Now, five of those 12 games have been draws, but Chelsea have won six. And they’ve won their past two home league games against Man Utd. The Blues will be looking to win three league games in a row at Stamford Bridge against Man Utd for the first time since April 2006.
