Chelsea v Manchester United
Stamford Bridge
April 18 2015, KO @ 5.30pm
Chelsea are looking to take a significant step towards lifting the Premier League trophy when they host an in-form Manchester United tomorrow.
With Arsenal playing their FA Cup semi-final this weekend, Jose Mourinho can take Chelsea ten points clear at the top with a win over his old friend Louis Van Gaal.
United however can leapfrog the Gunners into second place if they manage to secure their first victory over Chelsea in eight games.
After extending their winning run in the league to six last weekend with a dominant 4-2 victory over rivals Manchester City, Van Gaal’s side travel to Stamford Bridge in ominous form.
That win moved United four points clear of the defending champions and the visitors are on course to qualify for the Champions League, despite a shaky start to their campaign.
Chelsea will be defending their unbeaten league home record against a side who have scored 15 and conceded just four in their last six games.
Having despatched of City, Liverpool and Tottenham in recent games the visitors will be full of belief going into tomorrow’s game.
Chelsea have failed to dominate opposition the way they had earlier in the season but have still produced the results they need, exemplified by Cesc Fabregas’ late winner at QPR last week.
Top-scorer Diego Costa is still unavailable for the Blues while Loic Remy may still be sidelined with a calf injury he picked up before last week’s game.
Eden Hazard’s recent nominations for PFA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year are testament to the excellent season the Belgian has had, and he will be vital in this game.
He will be pitted against Juan Mata, who faces Chelsea for the first time since leaving the London club in January 2014.
Mata’s recent performances against Liverpool and Tottenham have proven how much difference he can make to a team and he may well come back to haunt Mourinho.
A last-minute equaliser from Robin Van Persie meant the two sides couldn’t be split in October and all signs point towards this game being just as close.
Star man: Eden Hazard
Danger man: Juan Mata
Last meeting: Manchester Utd 1 – 1 Chelsea @ Old Trafford, October 26 2014
