Two faltering Premier League giants under immense pressure and at risk of failing to achieve their respective European targets will lock horns on Thursday night, as Chelsea play host to Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
The West Londoners will be seeking revenge against the Red Devils after they lost 2-1 in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford in December.
Chelsea were dealt a fresh blow in their quest to secure European football for next season after they were pegged back twice to draw 2-2 at home to the 10 men of relegation-threatened Burnley last weekend.
After Cole Palmer had his first-half opener – scored just moments after Lorenz Assignon was sent off for Burnley – cancelled out just two minutes after the interval by Josh Cullen, the Chelsea star netted a second to put the Blues back in front on the 78-minute mark. However, Dara O’Shea had the last laugh for the Clarets as he headed home Cullen’s corner just three minutes later to rescue a valuable point for the visitors at Stamford Bridge.
Mauricio Pochettino admitted that his Chelsea side lacked ‘heart and head’ and were “missing something” in what he deemed a “must-win” match against Burnley. With just 11 victories on the board from 28 Premier League fixtures, the Blues are languishing in 11th place and sit four points behind the top seven, while they are eight points adrift of Thursday’s opponents Man United in sixth.
Defensive frailties have been a key contributor to Chelsea’s inconsistent campaign, with the Blues conceding exactly two goals across their last five games, while they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 11 matches across all competitions, shipping 22 goals in the process.
A run of five wins in seven Premier League home games bodes well for Chelsea heading into Thursday’s contest, but their recent record against Man United leaves little to be desired, as they have failed to win any of their last 12 league meetings – not since November 2017 when Alvaro Morata secured a 1-0 home win have the Blues celebrated top-flight success over the Red Devils.
