Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Friday evening in their penultimate game of the Premier League season.
Enzo Maresca’s side remain determined to tighten their grip on a Champions League spot. They suffered a blow in their hopes to do that last weekend when the Blues were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United at St James’ Park.
The West Londoners currently sit fifth in the table, two points behind fourth-place Manchester City. Given their good form of late, aside from the Newcastle defeat, Maresca’s side will back themselves to beat a struggling Man United side, who dropped to 16th in the table last weekend following a 0-2 home defeat to West Ham.
Chelsea Team News
Nicolas Jackson is suspended for Chelsea’s remaining games of the season after seeing a straight red card in the first half of the Newcastle defeat.
Christopher Nkunku (knock), Wesley Fofana (muscle), Omari Kellyman (hamstring) and Marc Guiu (hamstring) are all out injured. Jadon Sancho is unable to feature against his parent club at Stamford Bridge, meaning that Enzo Maresca’s options in attack are limited.
Predicted Chelsea lineup vs Manchester United (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper
Robert Sanchez is expected to continue in goal until the end of the season. His poor form has not allowed the team to get any sort of stability in the goalkeeping department. Maresca will hope the Spaniard ends the season on a high.
Defence
Reece James is expected to start at right-back in the Chelsea lineup, with Marc Cucurella operating from the other end. They will be key in stretching the Man United side by providing width and linking up with the wingers.
Trevoh Chalobah should continue in central defence alongside Levi Colwill in the Chelsea lineup, hoping to keep the Man United front three quiet.
Midfield
Moises Caicedo should return to his original position in midfield after operating at right-back in the last two games. He is likely to replace Romeo Lavia and partner Enzo Fernandez in the double pivot in the Chelsea lineup. The onus will be on the South American duo to try and take control of the game as quickly as possible and dictate terms.
Cole Palmer could be the X-factor for the hosts. Operating as a No.10, the Englishman needs to take hold of the game by the scruff of its neck and deliver the goods.
Read more: Predicted Man United Lineup vs Chelsea
Attack
The suspension of Jackson and Sancho’s ineligibility has left Maresca with limited firepower in attack heading into this game.
Pedro Neto has operated as a false 9 at times this season and done well, so the Portuguese could reprise that role against Man United. Young Tyrique George has done well in Europe and could get a chance on the right flank, with Noni Madueke featuring off the left in the Chelsea lineup.
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