Chelsea vs United: Big Game Preview

The Big Game Preview for GameWeek 25 was a bang on hit like we predicted with Spurs toppling the Champions City with a resounding 2-0 win. Are you guys excited for the GameWeek 26 Big Game preview? It’s the battle of the Blue vs Red with Chelsea set to welcome United to the Bridge. Lets into what we have in store for the game.

When: 9pm BST, February 17, 2020

Where: Stamford Bridge, London

Match Referee: Anthony Taylor

Team Preview: Chelsea

Table Position: 4^th

Recent Results: DWLDD

Looking for CL: This season has been all promise for Chelsea with their new boss Frank Lampard. Without any new signings frank took on the job last August looking to restore Chelsea at the top with Eden Hazard having gone as well. To be honest they have done really well until now considering they have only a handful of players that have been playing at the senior level for a few years. Now their goal will be to finish in the Champions League places considering City have been banned for the next two seasons. We predict that they will do so. But how will they fare against United? Let’s break it down.

Defense

For the last few games, it has been Rudiger and Christensen at the heart of defence for the Blues with their captain Azpilicueta being switched between LB and RB. It’s either been Reece James or Emerson taking turns every other GameWeek. This defence has managed to keep only 1 CS in the last seven games in the leagues, conceding 9 goals in the process. The defence is shaky and needs long term improvements.

Midfield

The ever present Jorginho and Kante have given much needed solidarity to the side but they haven’t been able to stop the goals flowing in. Jorginho has 3 goals in the last seven games but most of it from the penalty spot. Meanwhile Kante started the season on the front foot but off late he’s been employed as holding MF too. Other than these two, everyone else have been bit part players every GameWeek. Willian, Mount, Kovacic, Hudson Odoi, Pedro have all got a run in but none have cemented their spot. We expect Mount, Pedro and Hudson-Odoi to play against United. They need to get goals to assist their lone striker.

Attack

Their ever-present lone striker has been absolutely phenomenal this season- Tammy Abraham. He has scored 13 goals and 5 assists but over the last 12 games he’s scored only 3. His conversion rate has been low off late but so has Chelsea’s. he needs help and from throughout the team. He is not 100% fit, will probably face a late fitness test.

Team preview: United

Table Position: 9th

Recent Results: LWLLD

Bruised, Battered, looking to get wins: The fans are furious with the team, the manager and the board. They are nowhere near how United teams have looked. This team have been battered by almost everyone every GameWeek and to be fair all that Ole has done is only defended the board of the signings made and the players left. With Liverpool having won yesterday they are guaranteed to end up higher than United this season and its only February now!! That is how bad United have become now. Tough to see them finishing in the CL places. Europa league will be a big achievement as things stand.

Defense

United have been letting in goals left right and center. They rarely kept a CS last week against Wolves. Their defense has been shambolic this season. Maguire has done nothing to justify his price tag. He in-fact has contributed to more let in goals. He scored his first in the FA Cup but other than that he hasn’t been attacking in the corners as well. His partner has been Lindelof who hasn’t done anything worthy of praise. They need a major overhaul but it has start from the defense. With the £130m purchase for the defense gone absolutely wrong, it will be interesting to see what’s in store next.

Midfield

The United midfield has lacked creativity all season. They don’t have a fixed midfield as well. Pogba has been injured almost the entire season with McTominay and Fred been ever present. Last game against Wolves saw the introduction of the new man Bruno Fernandes who didn’t have a great game but it’s too early to judge him now. But its none of his fault with all players looking to give him the ball. The midfield has been blunt, short of creativity, to put it into context has been nothing short of abysmal.

Attack

The entire season has been carried by Rashford who is ruled out until nearly the end of the season. He has scored almost twice the goals for United than the next guy in the pack. With Martial not in form either, United had to get someone in the transfer window and they did just that getting Odion Ighalo from China. We hope that he would start to give United some firepower at the top. If someone is going to pull United out of the slump it might as well be him.

Chelsea vs United: H2H

Some facts

• Chelsea have lost only one of their last 17 PL home games against United.
• United are looking to do their first double over Chelsea since the 1987-88 campaign after their win on the opening day of the league season.
• This is the 11th time that these two sides are meeting on a Monday with Chelsea winning none of the previous 10 with the last such game ending in a 0-0 draw in 2015.

Expected Line-ups

Chelsea: Kepa, Christensen, Rudiger, Azpilicueta, R.James, Kante, Jorginho, Mount, Pedro, Hudson-Odoi, Tammy

United: De Gea, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Wan Bissaka, Fred, McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Martial, D.James, Ighalo

Chelsea vs United: Predictions

This game has been nothing short of drama over the past few seasons. The level of intensity has gone down with all the legends having left after abiding their time but the legacy lives on. With both teams evenly matched on Defense and Midfield, it will be upto the attack for both the teams to make a difference. While it will be on Tammy’s shoulders for the home, the visitors will rely on Bruno to link up wit Ighalo to get some reward. We expect a draw in the game but not without some drama!! Also,don’t forget to drop in your predictions in comments.

Score Prediction: Chelsea vs United (2-2)

Since this game is the last game of the GameWeek, we hope that you have gone through the preview and have a fair understanding of how the teams are for the Big Game. We also have a host of other good content with a blog on the “Rise of Southampton”. Be on the lookout for FPL related content on the website including how to use your trade on the free-hit chip.

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