[FootyGirl88]

Mike Dean has been confirmed as the ref

 

[RedDevil@84]

Mike Dean has been confirmed as the ref

Cheers.

 

[Sunny Jim]

They will destroy us, we never win at the Bridge

Just imagine the scenes if Atkinson is appointed to referee this game.

 

[sunama]

Herrera has been terrible this season and he's only started one game (yes he was played in a back three against Spurs but he was still absolutely dogshite) so I wouldn't start him here. I don't rate Fellaini and i'd rather see him start this than Herrera.

Funny way of putting things, though I do agree.

 

[Mibabalou]

I see no way we win this.

 

[99withaflake]

Seeing that Pogba was responsible for the second half tactics against Newcastle, who will the player-manager pick against Chelsea?

 

[Zlatattack]

I'm glad we can go back to talking about this again!

 

[ayushreddevil9]

I see no way we win this.

Nobody sees us winning at the bridge

 

[Canagel]

I'd like us to deploy the same tactics England used to beat Spain in the 1st half. Chelsea will play in the exact same way so there will be spaces in behind their fullbacks that we must exploit.

 

[blue blue]

This is a big game for Chelsea and to lose at home to team they are hoping to overtake in the PL would be a massive blow. This will make it a very nervy occasion for them. A number of posters are concerned about the game being after an international break but it's the same for Chelsea. I haven't heard about any injuries yet.

With the way it's been going for Utd Jose will have to think long and hard about setting up defensively again. I actually think it will still be his best bet but who knows? He may decide to change things.

Chelsea are not playing the counter attack game at the moment and are dominating possession and playing out quickly. They try to press quit high so if Utd can play out quickly themselves they may be able to catch Chelsea unaware. Hazard is key and Utd will surely have to take special action. It's difficult because he can mix it up and play all over the pitch but Utd will need to be at their best in the middle of the pitch and this is where I think the game will be decided. If Jorginho is allowed any space he will pull the strings and set up quick attacks. It's not certain that Kovacic will start as Barclay has done reasonably well in recent games. For me Barclay is a bit more savvy in the PL and more defensively minded. He could get the nod but Kante will definitely play. He is playing further forward but I'm not entirely convinced he has adapted. For Utd I think he should be prepared to sit a bit deeper but he has a terrific engine and can cover a lot of ground. Utd have a bigger midfield and they will need to use their strength because if they let Jorginho, Kante and Kovacic/Barclay play around them it could be tricky, especially if they pick up early bookings. Pogba and Fellaini/Matic will need to get mobile. I'd be interested to know who Utd are more likely to start in midfield. Matic could be an asset.

It's hard to predict this one as Utd could be the wounded animal. I can't see them running away with it but it should be an entertaining game.

My biased view is that Chelsea will score more than Utd and it could be 3 - 2.

 

[NJM78]

Chelsea win 3-1.

 

[RedNed77]

Nobody sees us winning at the bridge

I do, I've gone for 3-0 to us. I reckon we'll win convincingly and go on a run. Everything will go quiet for a few months, then we'll be back to Jose out when it all goes to shit in December again with a run of bad results against lower table opposition. Its the Jose way.

 

[Hisha]

Seeing that Pogba was responsible for the second half tactics against Newcastle, who will the player-manager pick against Chelsea?

Oh.. so it was Pogba masterclass . Wonder why nobody suggested him for the next manager once Jose is gone?

 

[Darkhorsez]

Mike Dean has been confirmed as the ref

Oh my!

 

[peridigm]

I'd feel good about this if we had a consistent 11 but Jose changes lineups so much I'd not be surprised to see McTominay starting at CB or RW.

 

[Handré1990]

I’m sciiiird! Can’t see us getting anything here. Which will be so much more rewarding if we do.

 

[James Peril]

I think it’s good that we meet them after the break, it’ll take their momentum away. It will be everything between 3-0 and 0-1, they are heavy favorites of course. Saying that, our usual defensive strength is all gone.. we have kept what, one clean sheet in seven? Abysmal.

 

[Gerald G]

De Gea
Valencia--Lindelof--Smalling--Shaw
Fred--Fellaini--Pogba
Rashford--Sanchez--Martial

subs: Grant, Dalot, Bailly; Pereira, Herrera, Mata; Lukaku
if Matic doesn't make it.​

 

[Canagel]

De Gea
Valencia--Lindelof--Smalling--Shaw
Fred--Fellaini--Pogba
Rashford--Sanchez--Martial

subs: Grant, Dalot, Bailly; Pereira, Herrera, Mata; Lukaku
if Matic doesn't make it.​

This really isn't a game for Fellaini. We aren't playing Watford or Burnley here. This will be a fast paced game with quick passing and movement. The ball will be on the ground more and less in the air. To have the best chance we must play Periera or Herrera. If Fellaini plays they will just pass the ball around us.

 

[Gerald G]

​

This really isn't a game for Fellaini. We aren't playing Watford or Burnley here. This will be a fast paced game with quick passing and movement. The ball will be on the ground more and less in the air. To have the best chance we must play Periera or Herrera. If Fellaini plays they will just pass the ball around us.

I agree with you but Jose won't play Pereira or Herrera and I think Herrera is injured. If it were up to me then I would go with Pereira.

 

[lex talionis]

The gods would have to be with us to prevail over the clearly superior side this season. We're not going to keep a clean sheet at the bridge, so where will the goals come from? I

 

[ivaldo]

The gods would have to be with us to prevail over the clearly superior side this season. We're not going to keep a clean sheet at the bridge, so where will the goals come from? I

Our attacking players. Or possibly our midfielders, or defenders. Subs too.

 

[Johan07]

Its anyones guess what Mourinho is thinking here. I dont believe we will have any inclination to dominate possession or play some kind of fast paced game, that is just naive.
We will sit back low. The question for me if Mourinho goes with 2 upfront or not. He has had some success with this before, like against Liverpool last year. Its my guess If that is combined with three or four at the back doesnt really matter IMO.
Sanchez upfront off Lukaku, we will sit back and try to go long as soon we win the ball. Thats my prediction.
I just really hope that he doesnt leave Lukaku upfront by himself and have our wingers defend the channels normal Mourinho-style. If that happens Chelsea will force us back and what essentially will be a 6-3-1 will not be pretty.

 

[Gordon S]

If we are as passive in defence as we have been most games than Hazard is gonna rip us a new one.

 

[He'lmurderyah15]

ddg
young bailly matic smalling shaw
Herrera Pogba fred
lukaku rashford

Matic to take care of Giroud through the middle, leaving bailly and smalling help the wing backs with willian and hazard.
fred to press jorginho who'll sit in front of luiz and rudiger, and Herrera to press kovacic. Let Pogba be our out ball when the CBs are under pressure. Midfield have to be brave on the ball.
Would play Lingard if he was fit because our front two are gonna need to be constant ball of energy and movement . Without him tho id go with Lukaku and try exploit there left side , with Luiz headless and Alonso always bombing on . Lukaku seems to like that right channel too. Rashford can get joy playing between azpilacueta and rudiger too .
could be tough afternoon.
A hopeful 1-1

 

[Red00012]

So If matic is out will he recall Pereira? Or does he think he’s satisfied him by playing him in the 1st 3 games?

 

[Adam-Utd]

So If matic is out will he recall Pereira? Or does he think he’s satisfied him by playing him in the 1st 3 games?

No chance, let's face it he doesn't rate Pereira. I don't think this is the game to bring him back in for either.

It'll be Pogba / Fellaini and Mctominay I have a feeling. Fred's been away with Brazil, Herrera only just back from injury, Matic "injured".

 

[Sassy Colin]

I refuse to predict a score where we lose, 1-2 United

 

[SSSSnake]

Anyone wish we had Hernandez just for this one game?

 

[PoTMS]

1-0 Hazard. Feels like the cnut has decided so many games against us.

 

[GailSpaceWynand]

Any chance we can get Herrera to man-mark Hazard again? or is he not available?

 

[GailSpaceWynand]

Chelsea 1-2 United

Hazard, Matic and Lukaku to score. 1 Chelsea goal in the 1st half, 2 United ones in the 2nd.

 

[LuisNaniencia]

No chance, let's face it he doesn't rate Pereira. I don't think this is the game to bring him back in for either.

It'll be Pogba / Fellaini and Mctominay I have a feeling. Fred's been away with Brazil, Herrera only just back from injury, Matic "injured".

If so, Mctominay will be man marking Hazard.

 

[Adam-Utd]

This really isn't a game for Fellaini. We aren't playing Watford or Burnley here. This will be a fast paced game with quick passing and movement. The ball will be on the ground more and less in the air. To have the best chance we must play Periera or Herrera. If Fellaini plays they will just pass the ball around us.

Fellaini actually looks much quicker/agile recently. He's very good at nipping in and making interceptions, I have faith he can do that job just fine.

What we need to do is crowd Hazard out as soon as he gets the ball, their left flank is the danger side.

 

[Greek9]

No way Mctominay starts this one after that performance against Newcastle.

 

[GhastlyHun]

The logical result would be a clear win for Chelsea. However, as I said in the next-7-fixtures-thread before, I can imagine that the players get a sufficient boost in motivation from playing a big opponent to make up for tactical deficits and get something out of this game.

 

[SER19]

De gea

Valencia
Smalling
Bailly
Shaw

Fellaini
Fred
Pogba

Mata
Lukaku
Martial

0-1

Mike dean a wild card but every year for about five years running the refereeing has been worse so no point even thinking about it. Ordinarily I’d put Matic right in but he definitely needs a rest and refocus, would be tempted to just put Fred in and try give Chelsea more to think about in regards our game. If not, then Herrera, who does often have good big games. Martial had his best performance versus Newcastle and is good on the break, and though he’s unpopular in many ways I think mata offers us things no other player we have can.

 

[pascell]

Gone with United 5-3 Chelsea, can't see it ending any other way.

white text

 

[VP89]

Neutralise Hazard and it's game on.

 

[red4ever 79]

Neutralise Hazard and it's game on.

Didnt we try that last season. I seem to remember Jones and Herrera booting him all over the park and it didnt help.