Mata, Cole and Januzaj all out in combined Chelsea and United XI
Published:Old hostilities will be renewed when Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge for the biggest clash of the matchweek, but this affair will have a slightly different feel to it.
So often title-defining games, the pair’s latest battle will be far from it, with United’s well-documented struggles leaving them 11 points off the top of the Premier League and lengthy 40/1 shots to retain their title.
Chelsea, who are 5/2 second favourites in the same market, are enjoying life back under Jose Mourinho’s guidance and wipe the floor with David Moyes’ men when it comes to our “Mix n Match XI”, with seven representatives.
Judging by this side, the 4/5 on Chelsea winning Sunday’s clash should be snapped up at haste.
After racking up his 209th Chelsea clean sheet and prompting his manager to claim he’ll break the Premier League record next season, there really isn’t anyone to rival Petr Cech as our net minder.
In front of him, Chelsea, who have the equal-best defensive record in the top flight, own three of the four defenders. John Terry and Gary Cahill, who have only lost twice this season in games they’ve started together, are paired in central defence, flanked by the good-enough-to-oust-Ashley-Cole Cesar Azpilicueta and the ever-consistent Patrice Evra.
An all English middle band gives Three Lions fans a preview of what to expect in Rio this summer as Michael Carrick plays quarterback from deep and Frank Lampard tries to time those famous late arrivals into the box.
Wayne Rooney is played in behind the main striker, a position that he’s claimed nine goals and eight assists from in 17 league appearances, with arguably Chelsea’s biggest two threats, Oscar and Eden Hazard, operating from the wings.
Danny Welbeck’s scoring form, which stands at six goals in ten games in all competitions, is preferred over the baby-step-making Fernando Torres and sidelined Robin van Persie.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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