Premier League Team News and Prediction: Chelsea vs Man Utd
Chelsea and Manchester United resume rivalries this afternoon. The Blues are looking to leapfrog West Ham into the top four on Sunday afternoon, while United are seeking to close the gap to Manchester City to 10 points once more ahead of next weekend's Manchester Derby.
Ahead of this massive meeting at Stamford Bridge, we provide all the need-to-know pre-match information, including where to watch the game, what time the match kicks off, team news and probable XIs.
When is kick off?
Sunday 28th February, 16:30 GMT
Where is the match?
Stamford Bridge, London
Where can I watch it?
Sky Sports Premier League / Sky Sports Main Event
Form Guide
Chelsea earned a morale boosting 1-0 win over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday night to secure a first leg advantage over their LaLiga counterparts in their bid to progress to the next round of the Champions League. Victory extended their unbeaten start to life under Thomas Tuchel to eight games, winning six, with Takumi Minamino still the only opposition player to find a way past the Blues in that period.
Manchester United, like Chelsea, are unbeaten in their last eight, winning four, as they progressed to the next round of the Europa League with a 4-0 aggregate win over Real Sociedad on Thursday night. After 12 away games, United remain the only Premier League side yet to lose an away league match in 2020/21, winning eight of those.
Team News
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has no injury concerns, bar the absence of Thiago Silva. The German has plenty of options at wing-back with Reece James and Ben Chilwell looking to oust Callum Hudson-Odoi and Marcos Alonso at right and left wing-back, respectively. Olivier Giroud will hope to keep his place in attack after scoring the decisive goal against Atletico.
In the Manchester United camp, central midfield duo Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba are joined on the sidelines by Juan Mata and Phil Jones. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will hope to have Donny van de Beek available for selection, but today's trip to Stamford Bridge is likely to come too soon for Edinson Cavani. In-form winger Daniel James is another who will be assessed.
Probable XIs
Chelsea (3421) - Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Mount, Werner; Giroud
Manchester United (3412) - De Gea; Bailly, Lindelof, Maguire; Wan-Bissaka, Matic, Fred, Shaw; Fernandes; Rashford, Martial
Key Battle: Mason Mount vs Bruno Fernandes
Mason Mount may have scored just four league goals for Chelsea this season, but they have proven crucial for the Blues. Indeed, without Mount's goals, the west London outfit would have six fewer points to their name, and as they seek a top-four finish, the England international has an important part to play in the final third.
In his first full season at the club, Bruno Fernandes has been exceptional and is one of only two players, along with Harry Kane, to register double figures for both goals (15) and assists (10) in the Premier League in 2020/21. The Portugal international's first league assist for United came in a 2-0 win at the Blues last season to kick off his superb run of form under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and having had a direct hand in the last two goals United have scored against Chelsea, he'll again be the key man in west London.
Score Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United
