Chelsea are all-but mathematically confirmed as this season’s Premier League champions – but there’s still two major hurdles they’ll need to outmaneuver on their way to the English crown.
In addition to squaring off with second-place Arsenal next weekend, the Blues face the most successful club of the Premier League era, Manchester United, at Stamford Bridge tomorrow evening.
Interesting enoughly, Chelsea are one one of the only English sides to have a positive record against the Red Devils. They’ve beaten United on 15 occasions, more than any other club in Premier League history.
But if there’s anybody who can outfox Jose Mourinho, it’s his old master Louis van Gaal. The duo worked together as manager and assistant many moons ago at Barcelona.
Prior results between the two sides – three clean sheets, two draws and only twelve goals from their last six encounters – suggest it will be a tight affair, so tomorrow’s clash could well come down to who dominates the individual battles.
With that in mind, we’ve listed FIVE that could decide tomorrow’s hotly-anticipated fixture.
EDEN HAZARD VS ANTONIO VALENCIA
Antonio Valencia’s put in some decent shifts as Manchester United’s ad-hoc right-back this year but there’s no test in the Premier League quite like Eden Hazard.
The Belgium international wreaked havoc when he was squared up against Rafael at Old Trafford in October and enters tomorrow’s fixture amid a real purple patch, boasting three assists, three goals and three man of the match awards in his last six Premier League appearances.
As the season’s dragged on, the Blues’ forward play has moved further towards revolving almost exclusively around the 24 year-old. The expected-to-start-in-right-midfield Juan Mata won’t offer too much protection in front of him, so it’s imperative Valencia puts in a top performance.
Fail to do so, and Hazard will run riot at Stamford Bridge.
MAROAUNE FELLAINI VS KURT ZOUMA
It remains to be seen how Chelsea will line up tomorrow but one way or another, the predominant job of their right-central midfielder will be stopping Belgian battering ram Marouane Fellaini.
He’s annihilated Red Devils opposition in recent weeks, using his height and brawn to cause continual chaos down the left channel – leading to goals against Tottenham and Manchester City. Here’s his heatmap from the Manchester derby:
The 27 year-old is becoming United’s prevalent outlet going forward, in no small part due to them averaging the third-most long passes per match of any Premier League side this term, and Chelsea need to nullify him as much as possible to prevent an upset.
The problem, however, is that 6 foot 5 monolith Nemanja Matic – in theory, a natural choice to combat Fellaini’s aerial prowess – is much more comfortable on his left foot, whilst Ramires and Cecs Fabregas, Mourinho’s common choices at RCM, lack the height required.
One potential solution, courtesy of Gary Neville and Jamie Redknapp, is youngster Kurt Zouma. He made a brief appearance in defensive midfield earlier in the season and although his quality in possession leaves a lot to be desired, the Frenchman is blessed with the athleticism to mark Fellaini out of the game.
JUAN MATA VS CESAR AZPILICUETA
Juan Mata’s been in exceptional form over the last few weeks to claim three goals, one assist and one Man of the Match award in his last three Premier League outings – including a stunning brace against Liverpool at Anfield.
He’ll be determined to continue impressing tomorrow, returning to a club where he twice won the Player of the Year award and facing a manager in Jose Mourinho who deemed him surplus to requirements in January 2014.
Should he start on the right as expected, he’ll be up against compatriot Cesar Azpilicueta. The 25 year-old has shown miraculous consistency yet again this season and is almost certain to claim the left-back slot in the PFA Team of the Year, so Mata should expect a tough afternoon.
Rather than beating Azpilicueta on his outside, the United midfielder might find better luck drifting in. Whether that’ll leave right-back Antonio Valencia too exposed against Eden Hazard, however, remains to be seen.
DAVID DE GEA VS THIBAUT COURTOIS
In a fixture that’s seen two draws, three clean sheets and only twelve goals in its last six episodes, tomorrow’s result could well be decided by which goalkeeper brings the stronger game.
Thibaut Courtois and David De Gea are unquestionably amongst world football’s most in-form goalkeepers at the minute, leading to both making the shortlist for the PFA’s Young Player of the Year award. The United No.1 has also been nominated for the Player of the Year award.
So in a match that may well suffer from a dearth of clear-cut chances, with Mourinho particularly likely to grind it down to a one-goal game, a world-class save from either goalkeeper could prove to be the ultimate difference. Here’s how the two compare from their efforts this season:
LOIC REMY VS PHIL JONES AND CHRIS SMALLING
If Chelsea face one problem during the final stretch of their title bid, it’s their struggling strikeforce.
Didier Drogba looked lifeless during a rare start against QPR last weekend and was subbed off at half time – only for his replacement, Diego Costa, to limp off ten minutes later with a hamstring injury.
Loic Remy’s been in the wars too but it’s likely Jose Mourinho will take a punt on him this weekend, as claimed by The Independent, rather than risk another opening 45 minutes of Drogba struggling to control the ball.
The France international has been in good form when called upon this term, boasting five goals from four starts and twelve substitute appearances, and Manchester United will only be too aware of the problems his prolific pace can cause.
That being said, Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have developed a strong partnership of late and until the Manchester derby last weekend, United hadn’t conceded more than one goal in a Premier League fixture since a 2-2 draw with West Brom in October.
But perhaps more important than scoring will be Remy’s ability to bring others into the game. Chelsea have some sensational talent in their midfield – particularly, Cesc Fabregas and Eden Hazard – so the 28 year-old must create space for them on the ball in advanced positions.
