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WHEN: Monday, August 26, 2013. 20:00 UK time.
WHERE: Old Trafford, Manchester.
Chelsea's last win against Aston Villa may not have been convincing but their two wins out of two means a hundred percent record in the league. Pundits believe the Aston Villa match would have easily been a Chelsea loss some months ago.
It will be Chelsea's and Mourinho's first match on the road this season and Manchester United's first home game at Old Trafford. The two teams have something to prove, Manchester United are defending champions and Chelsea are widely believed to be favorites this season.
A very competitive, combative and fascinating may be on the cards for either or both groups of supporters.
TEAM NEWS
Tomas Kalas will surely miss out for Chelsea but there's doubt whether David Luiz will return. There's a possibility of Jose Mourinho handing the Brazilian a surprising start.
Ashley Young, Luis Nani, Rafael da Silva, Darren Fletcher and Javier Hernandez are almost sure to be out for Manchester United as they are all injured.
David Moyes suggested that Chelsea's transfer target, Wayne Rooney will start against Chelsea.
TACTICAL VIEW
Manchester United are expected to play in a 4-4-2 formation. David Moyes could also opt for a 4-5-1 to boost their chance in the midfield.
Having Carrick and Cleverley in the midfield might look good enough on paper but if Chelsea play in the favored 4-2-3-1, there will be one extra midfielder to track back and help Chelsea gain control. David Moyes could then opt for one striker and allow Phil Jones sit behind Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick, I hope he doesn't.
Chelsea have wealth of options in the attacking midfield but still struggled to break through the Aston Villa defence. There was lack of width and all Chelsea's threat was through the middle, Aston Villa smartly crowded the middle and made it difficult for the blue boys.
In recent matches against Manchester United, Chelsea had the most ball possession but were vulnerable on the wings. Chelsea bossed the games but Manchester United were dangerous on the counter. It will be a smart move by Jose Mourinho to play his pure wingers and give Victor Moses a rare start.
Many will believe Ryan Giggs will not be hard for Ivanovic to handle but when doubled up with Patrice Evra Ivanovic could be exposed. Playing Moses on the wing will not just help nullify the opposition's threat but give Chelsea another attacking dimension too.
I think it's the perfect time to break the Lampard-Ramires pivot combo to ensure the midfield is owned by Chelsea. Pairing Michael Essien with Ramires will give the Brazilian the chance to join the attack when opportuned and both of them can still carry out the defensive duty together. Michael Essien is also a good passer from deep and can be the rock in the Chelsea midfield.
Fernando Torres was rested against Villa which means he could be handed a start by Jose Mourinho for this one. I still strongly believe that young Romelu Lukaku should lead Chelsea's attack. The Ferdinand-Vidic partnership is a strong one in the air and on the ground, Torres might not win a single aerial battle. Lukaku's hat-trick against United last season inconsequential, the Belgian is Chelsea's best bet to get the better of Manchester United's Centre back pairing.
KEY PLAYER: EDEN HAZARD
The Belgian wizard is set to be Chelsea's focal point of attack this season with Jose Mourinho giving him a big responsibility. Eden Hazard is a brilliant player with the ball and has the ability to unsettle the opposition defence. He scored two goals against Manchester United last season in five games. The eventual result could well depend on whether Eden Hazard gets it right on Monday night.
Chelsea bench: Mark Schwarzer, Cesar Azpilicueta, John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernando Torres.
PREDICTION
Chelsea have only won two of their last five visits to Old Trafford, losing three and drawn none. Going by that, a loss seems unlikely.
Chelsea to edge the contest in reality despite domination but still win with a 3-1 scoreline. Look out for John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic.... But if Chelsea can "kill" Robin Van Persie as suggested by Marco van Ginkel, they might not be conceding any goals.
WHEN: Monday, August 26, 2013. 20:00 UK time.
WHERE: Old Trafford, Manchester.
Chelsea's last win against Aston Villa may not have been convincing but their two wins out of two means a hundred percent record in the league. Pundits believe the Aston Villa match would have easily been a Chelsea loss some months ago.
It will be Chelsea's and Mourinho's first match on the road this season and Manchester United's first home game at Old Trafford. The two teams have something to prove, Manchester United are defending champions and Chelsea are widely believed to be favorites this season.
A very competitive, combative and fascinating may be on the cards for either or both groups of supporters.
TEAM NEWS
Tomas Kalas will surely miss out for Chelsea but there's doubt whether David Luiz will return. There's a possibility of Jose Mourinho handing the Brazilian a surprising start.
Ashley Young, Luis Nani, Rafael da Silva, Darren Fletcher and Javier Hernandez are almost sure to be out for Manchester United as they are all injured.
David Moyes suggested that Chelsea's transfer target, Wayne Rooney will start against Chelsea.
"Wayne has got a good chance of playing, he has got a good chance of starting too".David Moyes
TACTICAL VIEW
Manchester United are expected to play in a 4-4-2 formation. David Moyes could also opt for a 4-5-1 to boost their chance in the midfield.
Having Carrick and Cleverley in the midfield might look good enough on paper but if Chelsea play in the favored 4-2-3-1, there will be one extra midfielder to track back and help Chelsea gain control. David Moyes could then opt for one striker and allow Phil Jones sit behind Tom Cleverley and Michael Carrick, I hope he doesn't.
Chelsea have wealth of options in the attacking midfield but still struggled to break through the Aston Villa defence. There was lack of width and all Chelsea's threat was through the middle, Aston Villa smartly crowded the middle and made it difficult for the blue boys.
In recent matches against Manchester United, Chelsea had the most ball possession but were vulnerable on the wings. Chelsea bossed the games but Manchester United were dangerous on the counter. It will be a smart move by Jose Mourinho to play his pure wingers and give Victor Moses a rare start.
Many will believe Ryan Giggs will not be hard for Ivanovic to handle but when doubled up with Patrice Evra Ivanovic could be exposed. Playing Moses on the wing will not just help nullify the opposition's threat but give Chelsea another attacking dimension too.
I think it's the perfect time to break the Lampard-Ramires pivot combo to ensure the midfield is owned by Chelsea. Pairing Michael Essien with Ramires will give the Brazilian the chance to join the attack when opportuned and both of them can still carry out the defensive duty together. Michael Essien is also a good passer from deep and can be the rock in the Chelsea midfield.
Fernando Torres was rested against Villa which means he could be handed a start by Jose Mourinho for this one. I still strongly believe that young Romelu Lukaku should lead Chelsea's attack. The Ferdinand-Vidic partnership is a strong one in the air and on the ground, Torres might not win a single aerial battle. Lukaku's hat-trick against United last season inconsequential, the Belgian is Chelsea's best bet to get the better of Manchester United's Centre back pairing.
KEY PLAYER: EDEN HAZARD
The Belgian wizard is set to be Chelsea's focal point of attack this season with Jose Mourinho giving him a big responsibility. Eden Hazard is a brilliant player with the ball and has the ability to unsettle the opposition defence. He scored two goals against Manchester United last season in five games. The eventual result could well depend on whether Eden Hazard gets it right on Monday night.
Chelsea bench: Mark Schwarzer, Cesar Azpilicueta, John Obi Mikel, Frank Lampard, Juan Mata, Kevin De Bruyne, Fernando Torres.
PREDICTION
Chelsea have only won two of their last five visits to Old Trafford, losing three and drawn none. Going by that, a loss seems unlikely.
Chelsea to edge the contest in reality despite domination but still win with a 3-1 scoreline. Look out for John Terry, Gary Cahill and Branislav Ivanovic.... But if Chelsea can "kill" Robin Van Persie as suggested by Marco van Ginkel, they might not be conceding any goals.
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