Manchester United and Chelsea go head to head in a mouthwatering Premier League clash on Sunday as the powerhouses look to ignite their respective seasons.
Both sides have endured a mixed start to the season as they have blown hot and cold in the campaign so far, with Chelsea currently sitting in fifth on the table with 16 points from their eight matches – two points and two positions above the Red Devils.
The Blues, who are the home side as they welcome United to Stamford Bridge, will fancy their chances against former boss Jose Mourinho’s new side. Remarkably, Chelsea are unbeaten against United in 10 Premier League meetings, their last defeat coming in a 3-2 loss at home back in 2012.
Willian is likely to remain missing from the Chelsea squad as the Brazilian is still on compassionate leave following the death of his mother. Meanwhile, Oscar is also missing following the death of his grandfather, meaning Victor Moses and Pedro are odds-on to keep their places while Nemanja Matic and N’Golo Kante are expected to start in midfield.
Chelsea veteran John Terry is also set to return from an ankle injury but is unlikely to play as Conte continues with his 3-4-3 formation, featuring Gary Cahill, David Luiz and Cesar Azpilicueta at the back. Branislav Ivanovic, Mikel John Obi and Cesc Fabregas, meanwhile, are all back in competition as they return from knocks.
Mourinho will likely have to contend without the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Anthony Martial as the pair missed their side’s draw against Liverpool on Monday. In midfield, the Portuguese is likely to continue with a combination of Herera and Pogba, who have impressed of late. Wayne Rooney is set to remain on the bench, while Juan Mata could be set for a return to the starting lineup and starlet Marcus Rashford is likely to be deployed on the wing.
Elsewhere across the weekend’s fixtures, an in-form Arsenal welcome the struggling Middlesbrough, high-flying Spurs travel to an inconsistent Bournemouth, Liverpool welcome a visit from West Brom to Anfield, and Manchester City look to get their season back on track when they take on Southampton.
Complete Weekend Fixtures:
Saturday, October 22
Bournemouth vs Tottenham – 13:30
Arsenal vs Middlesbrough – 16:00
Leicester City vs Crystal Palace – 16:00
West Ham United vs Sunderland – 16:00
Hull City vs Stoke City – 16:00
Swansea City vs Watford – 16:00
Burnley vs Everton – 16:00
Liverpool vs West Bromwich Albion – 18:30
Sunday, October 23
Manchester City vs Southampton – 14:30
Chelsea vs Manchester United – 17:00.
