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Team news and analysis
Chelsea could escape farther from Manchester United’s reach. What the Blues must do is triumph at Stamford Bridge on Sunday. Ahead of this encounter in London, four points separate the league leaders from Alex Ferguson’s group.
The Champions League titleholders are on a run of four consecutive wins in the English Premier League but what impact will their midweek defeat to Shakhtar Donetsk in Europe have on their momentum? The Blues may be without Frank Lampard who limped off from the game in Ukraine. John Terry will also not play as his ban for the Anton Ferdinand case is not over.
Manchester United came out as the only English side to claim victory on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League. However, they had to sweat to achieve that feat against Portuguese club Sporting Braga.
The Red Devils’ defence was questionable in midweek. Against Chelsea, Manchester United cannot allow themselves to go two goals down; a comeback may not happen. Fergie will want to see drastic improvements against a Chelsea side that wants to hold onto the top spot in the EPL at all cost.
However, the Red Devils’ main strength will be the forward the line. Javier Hernandez is fresh from netting a brace against Sporting Braga in the UEFA Champions League. Ferguson can choose between the Mexican and Danny Welbeck to partner Robin Van Persie upfront.
Last five meetings
April 6, 2011: Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United (UEFA Champions League)
April 12, 2011: Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea (UEFA Champions League)
May 8, 2011: Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea (English Premier League)
September 18, 2011: Manchester United 3-1 Chelsea (English Premier League)
February 5, 2012: Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United (English Premier League)
Facts
• Over the past one or two years, Manchester United have finally managed to get the better of their rivals. The Red Devils have won four of their last five meetings with the Blues.
• The last four matches between Chelsea and Manchester United in all competitions have produced a total of 16 goals.
• The last time Chelsea defeated Manchester United was in March 2011 at Stamford Bridge. The Blues claimed a 2-1 victory.
• Manchester United (88 per cent) ended Matchday 8 as the team with the highest pass accuracy above Arsenal and Manchester City. Chelsea (85 per cent) were fourth in the grid.
• Robin Van Persie is Manchester United’s top scorer with having scored 6 of the team’s 21 goals in the English Premier League.
• Ahead of Sunday’s clash, Chelsea’s Juan Mata and Edin Hazard have each made five assists – one more than Man United’s top assist leader Wayne Rooney.
• The top scorer for Chelsea in the English Premier League this season is Fernando Torres. The Spaniard has netted 4 of the Blues’ 19 goals so far.
Prediction
The will probably produce more than three goals. Both teams are determined to win but it might be difficult to separate them at the end of the day.
Result: Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United
