Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Chelsea winger Eden Hazard could return to the starting line-up after beginning on the bench against Watford.
Pedro is doubtful with a minor groin problem, while Loic Remy and Radamel Falcao remain injured and recent signings Alexandre Pato and Matt Miazga lack match fitness.
Manchester United could name the same team which began the win against Stoke.
The Red Devils are still without Marcos Rojo, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Antonio Valencia, Phil Jones and Luke Shaw.
Editor’s Note: Chelsea are yet to taste defeat since Guus Hiddink took charge of the club for the second time, they will look to continue that run as Hiddink meets an old advisory in the form of Louis Van Gaal and his Manchester United side.
The last time these two sides met they played a pretty dour 0-0 draw in a game where United set out not to lose and Chelsea played without a Striker. You can almost see the stalemate a mile off, let’s just hope that this Afternoon’s encounter is more interesting.
Chelsea played out another 0-0 on Wednesday, in a game where Diego Costa grabbed the headlines again and again it was for his amateur Boxing career than for his Footballing prowess. The game wasn’t a classic but Chelsea will no doubt be cursing the performance of Huerelho Gomes whose strings of saves meant that they wouldn’t be leaving Vicarage Road with all 3 points.
Chelsea’s slow crawl up the table and away from any relegation battle is picking up a bit of momentum as they find themselves currently in 13th, a win would see them leapfrog London rivals Crystal Palace into 12th but first they must overcome a Manchester United who have one of their better weeks of recent memory.
Manchester United bagged another 3 goal performance on Tuesday to go along side their F.A. Cup win prior, their victory of Stoke was much more like the United of old, with a rare sighting of the lesser spotted first half Goal. Louis Van Gaal’s looked like they had much more of a spring in their step as they brushed past the efforts of Stoke.
Wayne Rooney looked lively and Anthony Martial had a good performance to enhance his already burgeoning reputation at Old Trafford. Martial has been one of the true highlights of what has been a stop start season for United.
If results go their way, they could close the gap to Arsenal to just two points and get themselves back in the race for a Champions League position. The pendulum is just about swinging in Van Gaal’s favour as more and more rumours swirl about the impending appointment of Jose Moruinho in the Summer.
As for Today, I think unfortunately for Van Gaal that pendulum is going to swing back in the other direction as I have a feeling Hiddink is going to get one over his long term rival and continue his unbeaten run since returning to the Stamford Bridge helm. I reckon it will be a Chelsea win.
