Game Week 12 Predictions: Full time draw at Stamford Bridge?

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony will both try to stake claims on this huge fixture at Stamford Bridge, any takers? (Photo credit: Sky ...

Pierre Emerick Aubameyang and Anthony will both try to stake claims on this huge fixture at Stamford Bridge, any takers? (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Chelsea vs Manchester United

Stamford Bridge Stadium

5:30pm

This is a huge game for lots of reasons. Two sides seeking consistency under relatively new managers and both seem to be ticking at the moment and sustaining the momentum would be the goal at this stage.

Chelsea will be happy to play at home to get all the advantage they need. The Blues have managed back-to-back wins without conceding goals and followed that with another clean sheet in the goalless draw at Brentford. They can win in midweek to secure the top spot in their champions league group as well.

Chelsea’s latest win in midweek was again powered by their “born again” goalkeeper, Kepa Arrizabalaga, and the manager’s faith in him. The Spaniard made spectacular saves in Chelsea’s win away at Villa and also Kept the Blues in the game at Brentford.

Manchester United are also in a good place and the loss to City is now well and truly behind them. Beating top-four rivals Tottenham in midweek explains where they are at the moment and it’s a good thing that they’re picking points from top teams.

Having played four times against the top boys, United beat Liverpool, Arsenal, and Spurs; the mentality is becoming stronger and the team is ticking. The Cristiano Ronaldo conundrum remains in the air but the manager has made a huge statement by dropping him for such an important game at Chelsea.

How will they line up? Graham Potter likes to defend his way to victory but he also performs well with opponents seeing more of the ball. His Brighton side was known to underperform on xG grounds and it’s looking identical at Chelsea.

United is a counter-attacking side. Both sides will have a similar approach but Chelsea will see more of the ball. Christian Eriksen and Casemiro will be vital, and injuries to Reece James and N’golo Kante will force Potter to improvise again but he will be better for it if he chooses experience over youthfulness here.

The last four league games between these two have all ended the same way, stalemates and this one is looking more than likely to follow same pattern. Both sides need to win to climb the ladder as they currently sit in 4^th and 5^th respectively with only one point separating them having both played ten times.

Watch out for Marcus Rashford who has found his scoring touch again but Pierre Emerick Aubameyang could hurt the Red Devils too.

Verdict: Full-time draw