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Chelsea host Man United on Friday night facing a must-win situation to keep their Champions League hopes alive but there are ways the Red Devils can stun them at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea host Manchester United in their penultimate Premier League game of the season on Friday night with the Blues in desperate need of a win.
Enzo Maresca’s team are in fifth position, the final Champions League qualification place, but are on 63 points, level with sixth-placed Aston Villa, two behind Manchester City in fourth and three adrift of third-placed Newcastle.
Nottingham Forest, meanwhile, are in seventh place with 62 points, just one behind Chelsea, which puts the Blues under massive pressure to win.
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United, meanwhile, have nothing to play for as they are stuck in 16th place and on course for their worst-ever Premier League season, but have the Europa League final next Wednesday to look forward to which means coach Ruben Amorim will select his squad with an eye on the final.
However, despite United’s poor showing, there are ways in which they can hurt the Blues.
Win Midfield Battle
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This is easier said than done given Chelsea have Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Cole Palmer as their first-choice midfield three who are better than what United have in that position.
However, United can limit them by playing Manuel Ugarte, Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes in a deeper role while looking to utilise the latter’s’ good range of passing to release runners who will hurt Chelsea on the break.
That will give United enough security while allowing their wingbacks time and space to bomb forward and support the attackers.
Utilise Garnacho and Amad’s Pace
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With Rasmus Hojlund struggling, Amorim can opt to play both Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo as his two forwards based on their pace and ability to beat rivals in one-on-one situations.
Given Chelsea will come out to play, there will be plenty of space for the two quick youngsters to exploit, hence the need to start with them due to their ability to get in behind the defence.
The two can either play narrow and allow the wingbacks to provide the width or come from wide positions especially when United win possession and they have a good eye for goal which Amorim should utilise.
Keep Cole Palmer quiet
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Not as prolific this season as he was last term, Cole Palmer is still Chelsea’s best player, having scored 15 Premier League goals and weighed in with eight assists.
Palmer was the man who tormented United on their last visit to Stamford Bridge with two late goals to down the Red Devils 4-3 and his intelligent runs and finishing have to be stopped.
Key to stopping Palmer is making sure they cut off the supply line and that means ensuring that both Caicedo and Fernandez are having a bad game since they are the ones who will look to find him.
This is easier said than done but United’s two central midfielders and centre-backs will have to ensure Palmer is having a ‘cold’ night if they have to get victory from Stamford Bridge, where they last won in February 2020.
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