Hello everyone welcome to the Sunday special.
Chelsea will face Manchester United in a huge Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, in a contest between two teams that have had quite different seasons.
Thomas Tuchel's team has had an excellent season thus far, leading the Premier League after winning nine of their first 12 league games, and a win today would keep their three-point lead over Manchester City intact.
The Blues are still in top place with 29 points from their first 12 games, while Michael Carrick's team is seven places and 12 points behind the European champions.
Man United will play their first league game after the firing of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Following Saturday's humiliating 4-1 loss to Watford, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was replaced in the manager's chair by Michael Carrick, and a win here would be a huge boost as they try to close the gap on the top four.Chelsea are the prime example of the possible benefits of making a managerial change midway through a season, with Thomas Tuchel working wonders since walking in the door at the end of January. As United begins their search for a potential interim or permanent appointment, Chelsea are the prime example of the possible benefits of making a managerial change midway through a season.
On Tuesday, both teams were in Champions League play and confirmed their places in the knockout stages with a game to spare – Chelsea defeated Juventus 4-0 at home, while the Red Devils won 2-0 at Villarreal.
Chelsea's junior products stole the show against Juventus as the Champions League holders ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Stamford Bridge. The club has been chastised for a perceived unfairness towards their academy players, with a multitude of names now out on loan.
Chelsea's Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, and Callum Hudson-Odoi all scored before Timo Werner came off the bench to complete the scoring on his comeback from injury, ensuring Chelsea's rightful spot in the tournament's last-16.
Thomas Tuchel's team improved their Premier League fortunes by defeating Leicester City 3-0 at the King Power Stadium, with former Foxes lynchpin N'Golo Kante scoring the winning goal.
Chelsea's win over Juventus was their ninth in ten games in all competitions this season, keeping them three points clear of Manchester City at the top of the table. Chelsea has only conceded four goals all season, three of which have come at home.
Chelsea's only goal in their last 450 minutes of top-flight football came via Matej Vydra's equalizer for Burnley, so United's legendary strikers will have their work cut out for them to impress their soon-to-be interim boss.
Michael Carrick led Manchester United to a critical 2-0 Champions League victory over Villarreal in midweek, and the Englishman will get the opportunity to put his skills to the test against Chelsea this week, with Rangnick unlikely to be named in time for a Tuchel reunion.
No one needs reminding of how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's reign ended in a dreadful manner at Watford last time out in the Premier League,and before the weekend's games, The Red Devils start Carrick's first game in charge in ninth place in the table.
Man United have lost five of their previous seven Premier League games under Solskjaer, and they have failed to win back-to-back games on the road in all competitions this season,Between Premier League triumphs over Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United, the team suffered a 2-1 loss to Young Boys.
However, history may be on the Red Devils' side, as they are unbeaten in their past seven Premier League encounters with Chelsea, including four clean sheets.
The two teams' most recent meeting concluded in a 0-0 tie at Stamford Bridge in February, with the reverse fixture ending in a 0-0 draw earlier in the season.
Do Manchester United have what it takes to beat Chelsea on Sunday? In the comments section, let us know what you think of the game.
News from the team
Romelu Lukaku might make his comeback against Manchester United.
Although Mateo Kovacic (thigh) is still sidelined, Romelu Lukaku was fit enough to make the bench in midweek and might start against Manchester United.
Following the Juventus encounter, Thomas Tuchel has a few injury concerns and could be missing up to four players for the visit of Man United on Sunday.
N'Golo Kante and Ben Chilwell were both substituted on Tuesday after suffering knee injuries and will be checked ahead of this weekend, while Kai Havertz could return after suffering a thigh injury last weekend against Leicester.
Michael Carrick's chances against Chelsea could be enhanced by the return of Edinson Cavani (tendon) and Luke Shaw (concussion), who both missed Villarreal to continue their recuperation.
After testing positive for Covid-19, Mason Greenwood will continue to self-isolate. Raphael Varane and Paul Pogba (both thigh) are currently unavailable. After getting fired against Watford last time out, Harry Maguire begins his ban.
Chelsea is Unstoppable in the Premier League.
Since being appointed Chelsea manager earlier this year, Thomas Tuchel has had a remarkable record, and the Blues have really stepped up this season, mounting an impressive title charge so far.
Chelsea leads the Premier League after nine wins, two draws, and one loss in their first 12 games, and they swept Juventus 4-0 in midweek to win their Champions League group and advance to the knockout stages.
The Chelsea train is showing no signs of slowing down, with 30 goals scored and only four conceded in the league.
PREDICTION OF THE SCORE
United may have some of the best offensive players in the league, and recent successes against Chelsea have been encouraging, but Carrick's midfield and weakened defense do not inspire confidence.
Tuchel's table-toppers should have little trouble breaking their winless record versus United if they can produce half as brilliant a performance as they did in midweek, even with a couple more injury troubles to deal with.
So I say Chelsea 3-0 Manchester United.