Chelsea already have one hand on the Premier League title, with a seven point lead on second place Arsenal and just six matches to go. They haven’t won the title in 2010, but it’s seemed almost fated that they would win the title since very early in the season, a fate that’s seemed all the more likely since Manchester City faded out of the race over the last two months.
Chelsea vs. Manchester United 2015: Time, TV schedule and team news
It’s not often that Manchester United get to play spoiler, but they could do so today in the face of Chelsea trying to grasp the Premier League title.
Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images
With Manchester United surging back in to the top four and recently adding to City’s misery themselves, they have a wonderful chance to play spoiler and add some drama to the title race again. If Manchester win, the gap between Chelsea and Arsenal could shrink to just four points, with the pair set to face off next weekend. With United only a point behind Arsenal, they’d suddenly be right in the thick of the race themselves, which would be a huge shift from the struggling mid-table side they were a year ago.
This is going to be fun.
Key player - Juan Mata (Manchester United)
Once one of Chelsea’s brightest stars, this is the first time that Mata will be returning to Stamford Bridge since joining Manchester United last year. Just what exactly his reception will be from his one-time fans is unknown, but what is known is that Mata has in recent months become absolutely vital to Manchester United’s efforts. He’s coming off three goals in United’s last three matches, including a brace against arch-rival Liverpool, and he’s become the hub of the Red Devils’ creative efforts. Unless Chelsea can find a trick to keep their former player in check, he could very easily run rampant on his old stomping grounds.
Key Matchup - Eden Hazard (Chelsea) vs. Antonio Valencia (Manchester United)
With Diego Costa out, Loic Remy a strong doubt, and Didier Drogba not the same dominant force he once was, Chelsea will be leaning hard on Hazard to carry the attacking load. That means that Valencia will have to be at his absolute best to try to keep him at bay, which is going to be a heck of a challenge for him. Valencia has been very good as a right wing back for Manchester over the last few months, but he’s also rarely faced a player as good as Hazard, one that will demand more defensive quality from him than he’s typically had to display. If he’s not up to the task, it could be a bad, bad day for United’s defense.
Chelsea injuries and suspensions
Out: Diego Costa (hamstring) In doubt: Loic Remy (calf)
Manchester United injuries and suspensions
Out: Jonny Evans (suspended), Michael Carrick (calf), Marcos Rojo (groin), Phil Jones (ankle), Daley Blind (ankle) In doubt: Robin Van Persie (foot), Luke Shaw (hamstring)
Chelsea are very healthy right now, though the injuries they do have hurt. Their best striker is out and his backup is a strong doubt, leaving them lacking some teeth in attack. United are much more battered after their derby with Manchester City, with their defense and midfield suddenly looking very thing. Louis Van Gaal even joked about having to play Wayne Rooney as a holding midfielder, but looking at who’s out -- that might not be too far from the truth.
Match Date/Time: Saturday, 12:30 p.m. ET, 5:30 p.m. local
Venue: Stamford Bridge, London, England
TV: NBC (U.S. - English), NBC Universo (U.S. - Spanish), Sportsnet regional networks (Canada), Sky Sports 1/HD (U.K.)
Online: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S.), Sportsnet World Now (Canada), Sky Go (U.K.)
See More:
