Chelsea vs Man U
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Kick off: 5:30pm
Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday knowing that victory would surely end the visitors’ fading hopes of pipping them to the Premier League title.
However, it promises to be one of two significant tests left in the Blues’ calendar, with United beating Manchester City 4-2 last week to establish a six-game winning streak.
Sunday’s 1-0 win at Queens Park Rangers saw Chelsea clasp one hand on the trophy that has eluded them since 2010.
With a seven-point cushion over second-placed Arsenal – whom they face next week – and United a point further back in third, the Blues have done enough in recent weeks to reduce the billing of Saturday’s visit.
If there were any lingering doubts over the Londoners’ title credentials when they lost 5-3 to Spurs on New Year’s Day then Jose Mourinho has emphatically set his team’s doubters straight.
Since then, Chelsea have won eight and drawn three of the 11 outings that followed the defeat at White Hart Lane.
Today’s trip to Stamford Bridge represents a chance for United to show just how far they have come under Louis van Gaal this season – and how far they can go.
After picking up a paltry five points from a possible 15 at the start of the campaign – including an opening-day defeat to Swansea City at Old Trafford – it could be said that the Dutchman could have enjoyed better starts to life in England.
Meanwhile, Van Gaal has been boosted by the news that Robin van Persie and Luke Shaw both could shake off their respective injuries to participate after the duo trained with the first team this week.
Michael Carrick is expected to sit this one out with a calf problem following the Manchester derby, while Jonny Evans is still missing as he serves the last of a six-game ban for spitting at Newcastle United’s Papiss Cisse.
Chelsea’s possible starting lineup: Courtois; Ivanovic, Terry, Cahill, Azpilicueta; Matic, Fabregas; Hazard, Oscar, Willian; Drogba.
Manchester United’s possible starting lineup: De Gea; Valencia, Smalling, Jones, Shaw; Blind; Herrera, Fellaini, Young, Mata; Rooney.