Chelsea and Manchester United have not started the Premier League season as they would have liked, with both teams having lost twice each so far. As a result of which Chelsea and Manchester United are placed in fifth and seventh position respectively. So when these two teams clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, they will look to clinch three points and move up the table.
Chelsea come into this fixture with good wins over Leicester City and Hull City after their loss to Liverpool and Arsenal. Chelsea will have momentum in their side, and an in-form Diego Costa, who could play an important role in this fixture.
Manchester United, on the other hand, have not been consistent. They have only won one Premier League game in their last five matches, which is a cause for concern. However, they will also take inspiration from their goalless draw against Liverpool, where their players put up a solid performance to take one point. Following that draw, they defeated Fenerbahche in the Europe League.
Coming to this game, Jose Mourinho and his players will want to take three clear points. For that to happen, they need their star players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba to shine. The match is going to be extra special for Mourinho, who will travel to Stamford Bridge, where he managed Chelsea in the past, and helped them win many competitions.
The Portuguese is not sure of the kind of reception he will receive at the Bridge, but is not worried about it.
"To say I care is not true, because to be honest when I go to a football match I don't focus on that. I am more focused on the game, I try to prepare myself for the match, so I cannot say that I don't care," MUFC official website quoted Mourinho as saying.
More importantly it remains to be seen as to the formation, and the players he will choose for the clash. Ibrahamovic will lead the line, but he needs good support from Lingard and Marcus Rashford. With Herrera providing cover for the defence, Pogba needs to do a lot of running in the centre of the park.
The home side is aware of the threat, which United brings to the table with experienced star like Zlatan and youth of Rashford and Lingard. The Blues' defence has to be spot on, and Chelsea boss Antonio Conte has huge hopes from David Luiz.
'He has good experience because in his career he has won a lot and played with good teams. He has good technique and when you have David Luiz you can play from the back and I love this. He is also a good defender and we are working a lot with him, but also with the other defenders, to always stay focused in every single moment of the game," Chelsea's official website quoted Conte as saying.
On the offensive front, they look a solid team, with the likes of Diego Costa, who has been amongst the goals this season, Eden Hazard and Willian. If this trio gets their game going, United may well have to go home without a single point.
With both the managers (Conte- Chelsea and Mourinho- United) being great tacticians, one cannot await to see what they have planned for the match on Sunday.
Where to watch live
Chelsea vs Manchester United football match is set to begin at 8.30pm IST, 4pm BST, 11am ET. Live Streaming and TV information is below.
India: TV: Star Sports 4 and Star Sports Select HD1. Live Streaming: Hotstar.
UK: TV: Sky Sports 1. Live Streaming: Sky Go.
USA: TV: NBCSN. Live Streaming: NBC Sports Live.
Thailand, Middle East: TV: Bein Sports. Live Streaming: Bein Sports Connect.
Australia: TV: Optus Sport. Live Streaming: Optus Online.
Hong Kong, China: TV: LeTV and Guangdong Sports.
