- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Chelsea can go one step closer to Premier League glory, as they face Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:15am (AEST).
Seven games to go, four wins and 12 points – that’s the equation for Chelsea to win the Premier League title after a five-year gap.
With no other domestic or European distractions to concern themselves with, the Blues can target six of the 12 points required with the next two blockbuster fixtures, against Manchester United and Arsenal.
Of course, victory is desired but not essential – such is the comfort of Chelsea’s position given a seven-point lead over second-placed Arsenal with a game in hand.
Spared blushes against Queens Park Rangers last weekend via Cesc Fabregas’ winner, the Blues need only deny their next two opponents’ momentum to prevent any late title charge.
The late win at Loftus Road came via only one shot on target. With Diego Costa unlikely to feature due to a hamstring injury, Jose Mourinho may opt to insert Loic Remy straight into the starting XI in place of Didier Drogba, who was ineffective against QPR. The alternative is for Mourinho to opt for a false 9, with both Eden Hazard and Fabregas able to fill such a role.
Of greater significance will be the defence. Faced against the likes of Wayne Rooney, former Chelsea star Juan Mata and the large presence of Marouane Fellaini, Mourinho’s key player may be Nemanja Matic in the defensive midfield to stop the pinpoint passes of Michael Carrick and Ander Herrera.
Furthermore, Chelsea’s supreme position may allow Mourinho to play a second defensive midfield option in John Obi Mikel. The back four will comprise captain John Terry and Gary Cahill, while the more defensive-minded Filipe Luis may be chosen ahead of Cesar Azpilicueta.
For Manchester United, safety inside the top four is realistic, but with four straight wins, and sitting eight points behind Chelsea, certain quarters at Old Trafford have even mooted an ambitious late title charge.
As unlikely as that is, there is little question that victory at Stamford Bridge may herald far more promising times in season two of the Louis van Gaal era – one in which he has had to overcome a sometimes leaky defence to mount a late-season charge up the ladder.
Previously-thought liabilities Ashley Young and Fellaini have become critical assets to Van Gaal’s best set-up, while the heavily priced Angel di Maria and expensive loanee Radamel Falcao have been made expendable. Don’t expect Van Gaal to tinker too much with his formula – one in which Carrick and Fellaini have been central to United’s recent rise.
Another finding his groove has been Ander Herrera in midfield, while Van Gaal has finally found fruit from experiments to play Mata out wide. Facing the club for whom he was twice named player of the season, Mata will relish the chance to throw a hiccup in Chelsea’s title challenge, and prove the man who jettisoned him that he was wrong to do so.
Despite this, Mourinho’s record at Stamford Bridge is imposing – not even Sir Alex Ferguson could best the Portuguese in West London.
United will not lack confidence, but Chelsea’s motivation this game should be greater than their opponents, and that should see them secure victory and take another big step towards glory.
Are you the ultimate team manager? Pick your own superstar team and go head to head with other football fans for glory and cash prizes on Draftstars. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.