Chelsea v Manchester United: Thoughts, Predictions & The Lineup I would pick

Can we win at Old Trafford for the first time in 10 years?

Good Afternoon Ladies and Gents,

Here is my thoughts and predictions ahead of tonight’s fixture away to Man U.

Pre-match thoughts:

On form we are probably just about favourites for this game which says a lot about where these 2 teams are at, Man U are in a really rough phase and with news breaking yesterday about Ten Hag’s loss of control and losing the confidence of senior players this could be a great time to play them.

On the flip side this could be a really rough time to play them as they are going to be at Home with their fans and if they get behind the team it could give them a huge lift. IF United use that to their advantage we could be in a tricky predicament, we have to score early and get their fans against them.

We really need to come out of the traps quick and go at them, this is a game where we will miss Conor Gallagher in my view, he would be excellent to lead the press and force us onto United, BUT we do have multiple other players who can do this, our front 3 from the weekend should remain with Mudryk, Sterling & Jackson all capable of pressing well. Cole Palmer will return to the XI in place of Conor Gallagher and play in the 10 role, in my opinion.

I watched the Newcastle v Man U game on Saturday and Newcastle were excellent, they sustained pressure on United constantly, they really took the battle to them and United looked like they didn’t want to be there. We need to bring that sort of performance tonight.

If we can nullify the crowd getting behind them and stop them getting any form of energy and rhythm into their play we will win this game!

Predictions:

I think that Poch is aware of all of the above and will set his side up in a manner to to go and enforce that type of game plan.

If he does that successfully and the players manage to replicate what Poch asks of them we will win this game by a couple of goals, minimum.

I think it will be 3-1 to Chelsea, although I would love for us to keep a clean sheet!

I think Sterling, Palmer and Reece James will score. Hopefully we will be in a position to rest some players in the second half and maybe introduce some academy players on to the pitch.

Lineup:

I think Poch will go with the below lineup;

My only potential changes I would make would be Broja for Jackson and Cucurella for Badiashile with Colwill at Centre back. I would by no means ever vouch for Cucurella to start games over the likes of Badiashile etc, BUT if we are to play a high-tempo aggressive game, that style really suits Cucurella’s skillset. With Jackson I think he is really good to lead the press, but Broja can do as good of a job and with his physicality could really cause Man U some issues.

Thank you all for reading and please let me know your thoughts?

Luke Rushbrook