Chelsea Vs Man Utd: Five Reasons Why Victor Moses' Chelsea Are Favorites
Published: October 20, 2018
Saturday lunchtime can't come soon enough for football neutrals and rightly so.
1. Injury Nightmare For Jose Mourinho
Manchester United come into fixture with mounting injury worries with the likes of Luke Shaw, Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez, Marouane Fellaini and Scott Mctominay all doubts albeit Ander Herreira could be in the squad if he passes a late fitness test.
Chelsea do not have such injury worries. Only centre back Antonio Rudiger and midfielder Ross Barkley are doubtful for the west London side.
2. Eden Hazard's Form
The Blues were not reckoned as title favourites for the 2018/2019 season prior to the start of the season but the form of the mercurial Eden Hazard thus far has changed everybody's thoughts.
The Belgian has scored seven Premier League goals already even as fears in some quarters persist over his consideration of a possible move to Real Madrid.
Hazard is unarguably the hottest thing in the Premier League now and perhaps in the top five bracket of the world's best players.
Unless he cops an injury or sent off early in the game, expect the 2018 World Cup bronze medallist to score or create goal scoring chances for his teammates.
3. Chelsea's Momentum
Chelsea are one of three Premier League sides with Manchester City and Liverpool yet to lose a game this season.
Such is not the lot of Jose Mourinho and his United side who would have loved to prosecute a couple of games before the international break following their 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle United.
Manchester United are seven points adrift of Chelsea and are eighth in the Premier League table. Chelsea players are in confident mood and that could swing the pendulum in their favour.
4. Mourinho's Troubles
Jose Mourinho has until 6pm Friday evening to respond to an FA inquest over his abusive, and or improper language after his team's 3-2 narrow win over Newcastle United.
Mourinho's relationship with his players leaves much to be desired and despite the huge comeback against the Toons thanks to the efforts of some of them you wonder if all the players are in good terms with the Portuguese - a big ask now that a few first team regulars will be missing due to injuries.
Mourinho even stated in one of his news conferences: " I think some (players) care more than others."
5. Chelsea's Home Advantage
The game will be played at Stamford Bridge where United have not won since 2012.
Chelsea have won seven of their last eight home matches against Manchester United in all competitions.
Sarri's team have kept four clean sheets in their last four home matches against United in all competitions.
What more, the Blues have not lost in their last eight games in the division.
Victor Moses has yet to start a game in the topflight so far this season and could make his third appearance of the season if he gets some minutes against the Red Devils.
Given that he did not travel to Africa for international duties this month, the former Nigeria winger is fresh for the game at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea will temporarily go top of the table with a win lunchtime on Saturday and these are some of the reasons why Maurizio Sarri's side are slight favourites.
1. Injury Nightmare For Jose Mourinho
Manchester United come into fixture with mounting injury worries with the likes of Luke Shaw, Juan Mata, Alexis Sanchez, Marouane Fellaini and Scott Mctominay all doubts albeit Ander Herreira could be in the squad if he passes a late fitness test.
Chelsea do not have such injury worries. Only centre back Antonio Rudiger and midfielder Ross Barkley are doubtful for the west London side.
2. Eden Hazard's Form
The Blues were not reckoned as title favourites for the 2018/2019 season prior to the start of the season but the form of the mercurial Eden Hazard thus far has changed everybody's thoughts.
The Belgian has scored seven Premier League goals already even as fears in some quarters persist over his consideration of a possible move to Real Madrid.
Hazard is unarguably the hottest thing in the Premier League now and perhaps in the top five bracket of the world's best players.
Unless he cops an injury or sent off early in the game, expect the 2018 World Cup bronze medallist to score or create goal scoring chances for his teammates.
3. Chelsea's Momentum
Chelsea are one of three Premier League sides with Manchester City and Liverpool yet to lose a game this season.
Such is not the lot of Jose Mourinho and his United side who would have loved to prosecute a couple of games before the international break following their 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle United.
Manchester United are seven points adrift of Chelsea and are eighth in the Premier League table. Chelsea players are in confident mood and that could swing the pendulum in their favour.
4. Mourinho's Troubles
Jose Mourinho has until 6pm Friday evening to respond to an FA inquest over his abusive, and or improper language after his team's 3-2 narrow win over Newcastle United.
Mourinho's relationship with his players leaves much to be desired and despite the huge comeback against the Toons thanks to the efforts of some of them you wonder if all the players are in good terms with the Portuguese - a big ask now that a few first team regulars will be missing due to injuries.
Mourinho even stated in one of his news conferences: " I think some (players) care more than others."
5. Chelsea's Home Advantage
The game will be played at Stamford Bridge where United have not won since 2012.
Chelsea have won seven of their last eight home matches against Manchester United in all competitions.
Sarri's team have kept four clean sheets in their last four home matches against United in all competitions.
What more, the Blues have not lost in their last eight games in the division.
Izuchukwu Okosi
Photo Credit : chelseafc.com
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