Chelsea vs. Manchester United: Key Battles, Predictions for Premier League Match

Chelsea will be hoping to record their third straight league win on Sunday as they welcome Jose Mourinho back to Stamford Bridge for the first time since he was sacked 10 months ago. 

Antonio Conte’s side are undefeated in 10 games against Manchester United and enter this game in high spirits after confident victories against Leicester City and Hull City. They have lost just twice in their last 15 home league games, while Man United are without an away victory since Marcus Rashford scored an injury-time winner at Hull in August.

Mourinho is expected to repeat the defensive tactics that saw his side grind out a rather dull 0-0 draw at Anfield on Oct. 17. Conte, meanwhile, will attack from the off in his expansive new 3-4-2-1 formation.

Key Battles

Pedro vs. Ander Herrera

Pedro was in superb form against Leicester last weekend thanks largely to his new role in the centre alongside Eden Hazard. It was arguably the Spaniard’s most confident performance since joining the club in August 2015.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press/Associated Press

Conte’s new formation focuses heavily on the interplay between his two playmakers, but they may have their work cut out on Sunday. Ander Herrera screened the back four expertly against Liverpool on Oct 17, making seven tackles and 10 interceptions.

If Herrera picks up where he left off, then Chelsea will be stunted through the middle and United will frustrate their opponents once again.

Victor Moses vs. Ashley Young

Victor Moses has enjoyed something of a renaissance this season. The Nigerian winger is flourishing as a right-wing-back, partly because the influence of Pedro and Hazard is proving a distraction for the opposition. He is finding plenty of space on the right to burst forward and take on his man, leading to high praise from his manager after the defeat of Leicester.

“He’s a very good player. Now he’s playing as a wing-back and it’s fantastic because he pays great attention in defence and can go one against one in attack,” Conte said, as per Mark Brus in Metro.

Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Ashley Young will once again be asked to sit deep while United are without possession, forming part of a back six during sustained periods of Chelsea attack. These ultra-defensive tactics should limit Moses’ dribbling on Chelsea’s right.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic vs. David Luiz

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has struggled to have a positive impact over the last few weeks, but his interplay with Paul Pogba was arguably the best thing about Man United’s attacking play against Liverpool. The physical strength of these two players threatens to overwhelm Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante in the Chelsea midfield.

Ibrahimovic will drop off the back line in an attempt to influence proceedings, and in response, David Luiz is likely to step out of defence to meet him. Their head-to-head should be interesting given that the Brazilian is prone to erratic behaviour, as Men in Blazers pointed out on Twitter:

Conte’s recent use of three centre-backs should mean that Luiz is able to leave the back line without harming his team’s overall shape, although if Ibrahimovic is in the mood, Chelsea are unlikely to keep a clean sheet.

This should be a low-scoring affair as a deep-lying Man United prevent Chelsea from getting into their full flow.

Prediction: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United