Both Chelsea and Manchester United have performed below expectations this season as they both would have had aspirations of qualifying for the Champions League.
While Man Utd are still in the race for the top four, they need to put together a strong run of form in their remaining nine games.
Chelsea have the benefit of a couple of games in hand around their closest rivals in the table, but they have never been in the running for Champions League qualification and are actually currently in the bottom half of the table.
Chelsea will be without Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Levi Colwill, Carney Chukwuemeka, Robert Sanchez and Trevoh Chalobah.
Malo Gusto and Ben Chilwell might be passed fit, though they will be assessed closer to the game.
Dorde Petrovic will continue to deputise for Sanchez in goal behind a likely back four of Axel Disasi, Thiago Silva, Benoit Badiashile and Marc Cucurella.
Mauricio Pochettino has a settled midfield three of Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Conor Gallagher now and that trio will continue in the starting XI against United.
Raheem Sterling will be pushing for a return to the XI, but Mykhailo Mudryk might be kept in the team alongside Cole Palmer and Nicolas Jackson in the front three after winning a penalty against Burnley at the weekend.
Chelsea (4-3-3): Petrovic, Disasi, Silva, Badiashile, Cucurella; Fernandez, Caicedo, Gallagher; Palmer, Mudryk, Jackson.
Man Utd received two defensive blows this week after both Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof were ruled out for a month. They join Anthony Martial, Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw on the sidelines.
Amad Diallo is available for selection again after serving a suspension.
Andre Onana will start in goal with a back four of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot ahead of him.
Casemiro and Mason Mount will be pushing hard for a place in central midfield, especially after the latter scored coming off the bench against…
Source link : https://www.footballcritic.com/news/chelsea-vs-manchester-united-predicted-lineups/4241
Author : [email protected] (Martin Macdonald)
Publish date : 2024-04-04 05:30:00
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