Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Team News, Predicted Lineups, Live Stream and TV
Chelsea are boring, or so says Jose Mourinho.
Well, one thing that isn't going to be boring is when his team comes to blows with Manchester United on Saturday.
OK, so Mourinho's comments in his Friday press conference were more tongue in cheek than anything, referring to how his team has reduced the drama in the Premier League since they have led the table since the opening weekend.
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The title race is still alive, though, even if it is in its dying embers.
Chelsea's victory over Queens Park Rangers last time out left them seven points clear of Arsenal with a further point advantage on United.
With just seven games remaining until the end of the season, it's difficult to imagine Chelsea not finishing the campaign as champions.
A victory for United at Stamford Bridge will make things very interesting, however, especially as Chelsea travel to Arsenal the following week and soon after that trip entertain Liverpool.
Mourinho's side have been so dominant, but with those around them picking up points more consistently in the past few weeks, they know there's still work to do. And they have some difficult games to negotiate in the process.
Thus far, they have looked free of nerves, so it will be United's task to make Chelsea feel the pressure on home soil.
In many ways, Louis van Gaal's side have nothing to fear. Not much is expected of them on Saturday, and as rank outsiders for the title, the pressure is off.
Nothing changes if United lose, whereas for Chelsea, it does. Suddenly, the chasing pack would feel within touching distance, which could be dangerous for their frame of mind.
The whole complexion of their run-in will change.
Mourinho is a pragmatic manager. He knows all this very well, which is why he's talking in numbers of points needed and not victories right now.
Chelsea need 11 more points to win the title, and the manager is driving that fact home to his players. Whether it's one point or three against United, it matters for little; Chelsea would still be moving forward, reducing their required points tally game by game.
We know Mourinho well, and he'll do everything to stop his team from losing this game.
That's not to suggest it will be a defensive encounter, but don't expect any gung-ho tactics. That's not his game and it's not Chelsea's.
United know better than that, too.
It's going to be cagey, that cliched game of football chess between two master tacticians. For that alone, we can expect this game to make for compelling viewing.
Date: Saturday, April 18
Time: 5.30 p.m. BST/12.30 p.m. ET
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London
TV Info: Sky Sports 1 (UK only)/NBCSN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: Sky Go (UK only)/NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Team News
Mourinho wouldn't elaborate too much on the fitness of Loic Remy, but he did suggest the Frenchman is a possibility to start against United.
Speaking on Friday, Mourinho explained Remy's chances were better than 50/50 after he missed the 1-0 victory over QPR with a calf problem.
Other than Diego Costa's ongoing hamstring problems, the Blues have no other injury concerns.
Also, after they avoided picking up a yellow card last time out, Cesc Fabregas and Nemanja Matic are no longer at risk of a two-game suspension.
The FA's disciplinary table has now been reset to zero for the remainder of the season, meaning previous offences and tallies up to now are no longer relevant.
Matic and Fabregas were both on nine bookings for the season.
As for Van Gaal's side, a spate of injuries seems to be United's biggest threat against getting a result at Stamford Bridge.
Daley Blind (ankle), Michael Carrick (calf), Phil Jones (ankle) and Marcos Rojo (groin) will all miss out on Saturday.
Question marks also remain over the fitness of Luke Shaw and Robin van Persie.
Van Gaal explained in his news conference that United's depleted squad could mean Wayne Rooney starts in midfield against Chelsea, per The Telegraph.
Should that prove the case, Radamel Falcao is expected to lead the United attack.
Last 5 Games
| March 11 | Chelsea 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain (AET) |
| March 15 | Chelsea 1-1 Southampton |
| March 22 | Hull City 2-3 Chelsea |
| April 4 | Chelsea 2-1 Stoke City |
| April 12 | QPR 0-1 Chelsea |
| March 9 | Manchester United 1-2 Arsenal |
| March 15 | Manchester United 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur |
| March 22 | Liverpool 1-2 Manchester United |
| April 4 | Manchester United 3-1 Aston Villa |
| April 12 | Manchester United 4-2 Manchester City |
Players to Watch
Nemanja Matic
Few players, if any, have got the better of Nemanja Matic in his 18 months back at Chelsea.
The Serbian is going to need to be at his best to prevent Marouane Fellaini bucking the trend, however.
The Belgian has been in inspired form of late, his physical presence difficult for teams to handle.
Matic needs to nullify his threat in midfield.
It was for battles such as this that Mourinho re-signed Matic, and while he has been exceptional all season, he can't afford to have an off day with United and Fellaini in town.
How will the Spaniard react upon his return to Stamford Bridge?
It will be Juan Mata's first appearance in west London since his switch to Manchester United in January 2014.
He hasn't had the best of times at Old Trafford, but his form has improved considerably recently and he has been one of United's standout players.
Will he continue that form, or will the emotion of the occasion overwhelm him?
One thing is certain, and that's the need for Mata be on top of his game. United's injury crisis means they need every player on song against Chelsea, especially him, as he has the ability to cause real damage to this Chelsea team.
Prediction
Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United
Odds
Home win: Evens
Away win: 10/3
Draw: 5/2
First goalscorer: Wayne Rooney (6/1)
*Odds via Oddschecker
