This Sunday’s game between Chelsea and Manchester United sees a variety of plotlines converge on Stamford Bridge.
Jose Mourinho returns to Stamford Bridge as an opposing manager for the first time since his sacking last year. After a defensive display against Liverpool on Monday night, United are under serious pressure to show more against Chelsea.
Antonio Conte on the other hand must win a big game to truly secure his start at Stamford Bridge. So far his tenure has been marked by good performances against bad teams and bad performances against good teams – this must end on Sunday. It is very early days for Conte who has largely impressed Chelsea fans, but another game like the 3-0 defeat to Arsenal could be seriously damaging for the Italian’s future in London.
The formbook is with Chelsea and against Mourinho – Chelsea have won 2 and drawn 3 of their last 5 games against United, although four of those games they were playing under Mourinho, who may know this Chelsea team well enough to turn the bad run around.