TWO new managers, one old rivalry â but three crucial points up for grabs.
For Erik ten Hag and Graham Potter, they are just getting their feet under the table in their respective offices at Carrington and Cobham.
Graham Potter has enjoyed a successful start but faces an in-form Man Utd sideErik ten Hag knows another win against a ‘Big Six’ rival would be huge for his sideBut they will know all about the history of this famous clash â and how important a win could be come the end of the season with both men desperate to clinch a top-four spot.For Potter at Chelsea , this is his toughest test so far.
He saw off Crystal Palace, Wolves and Aston Villa but Brentford held firm for a 0-0 in midweek as his Blues cling on to fourth.
Chelsea are facing only their second ‘Big Six’ opponent of the season and come into this evening’s Stamford Bridge showdown against Manchester United with a torrid recent record while United are aiming for a fourth win against the established elite this term.
The Londoners have not won any of their last NINE Premier League matches against the Red Devils, a run stretching back to November 2017.
But the safe bet is on a draw.
This match-up has thrown up a record 25 draws â the most in Premier League history â including the last four and six of the last eight.
But if anyone knows how to beat this United side, it’s Potter.
Potter stumped Ten Hag on the opening day with his unconventional 3-3-3-1 formation.And in his first few weeks at Chelsea, he has proven he is not afraid to switch the shape to find the best results , even adapting his side’s set-up within matches.
That makes it hard for Ten Hag and his team of coaches and analysts to prepare fully for today’s game.
Will it be a back three or a back four? Ben Chilwell or Marc Cucurella? Where might Ruben Loftus-Cheek play? How will the midfield set up? Who leads the line?
One thing is for sure, and that is Kepa Arrizabalaga will keep his place in goal after five consecutive clean sheets.
Kepa Arrizabalaga has kept five clean sheets in a rowPotter masterminded a 2-1 win at Old Trafford in AugustFred and Bruno Fernandes were both on target as United beat TottenhamAnd he will need to be on top form again when the Red Arrows of Manchester head to West London.The team that lost to Potter’s Brighton managed five shots on target.
But with Rashford finding some form again, £85.5million man Antony hitting the ground running plus fellow newbie Brazilian Casemiro and even Fred taking aim, Ten Hag’s men have racked up 77 attempts in their last three matches â albeit with 25 on target and three goals.
With six wins and 15 goals apiece this season, Chelsea and United are pretty evenly matched.
In fact, just one point separates the two clubs, who go into the weekend fourth and fifth respectively.
Potter and Ten Hag know whoever wins ends the weekend in the Champions League spots â and can keep the pressure on North London pair Arsenal and Tottenham who play tomorrow.
They may not be battling it out for the title as they were in the noughties, but Chelsea and Manchester United simply do not like each other and can lay a major marker in the early stages of their new eras with a statement performance and positive result.
