I think we know how Jose will approach this match. If the players are with Jose, it will be difficult to break them down, and they have bags of pace for the counter attack. If the players are not with Jose, then Man Utd will have a tough day.

Rivalries with Jose and Man Utd aside, we must get 3 points to stay with City and Liverpool. Come on boys. 

 Could be any score tbh. We could put a few past them if they don't turn up. They could beat us by playing defensive and hitting on break. I can't see them coming at us, but who knows how they will approach the game. Mourinho may well decide the only option to beat us is with pace down the wings, which arsenal effectively used against us, albeit they didn't score, but could have won. They have the pace with the full backs and rashford and martial. I wouldn't be surprised if the one game they turn up for is against us, but then it also wouldn't surprise me if we beat them convincingly like Spurs did. 

Do we think Mou will try and shadow Hazard like he did in 16 with Herrera? I feel like if he did that now it won't cause as many problems as it did for Conte's side. Especially how Chelsea try to overwhelm parts of the defense. So if they try man-marking Hazard, Jorginho will need to find the man that's going to be open. Probably going to Pedro on the other side of the pitch.

Our team does play better than Jose's if we look at the first 5-8 games. But it's a big game and anything can happen, I for one hope to see Rudi score from a corner!

Naturally very pleased we've got off to a good start this season but the defence has rode its luck. Even against a very moderate Southampton we should have been a goal down when they missed a sitter and they also missed another fairly easy chance. This defence just does not fill me with any kind of confidence so our best chance is to try and take the game to Utd. I will be dissapointed if we back off and let them dictate play. Sarri is not supposed to let his teams do that. Understandable against a top Liverpool team that can kill you with their pace, creativity and goal threat but not against this ordinary Utd team. I'd take a draw and keep the gap between us and Utd.

No Herrera for United and Fellani is a doubt. We will have to watch Lukaku with his pace and he is good at running into space. 

Jose can’t afford to lose this one. Another defeat and the vultures will be circling again. We know that United will take a draw now so the game rests on how well we play. 

1 hour ago, chiefBlueCFC said:

Do we think Mou will try and shadow Hazard like he did in 16 with Herrera? I feel like if he did that now it won't cause as many problems as it did for Conte's side. Especially how Chelsea try to overwhelm parts of the defense. So if they try man-marking Hazard, Jorginho will need to find the man that's going to be open. Probably going to Pedro on the other side of the pitch.

Edited October 19, 20187 yr by chiefBlueCFC

I'll wait until I see the line up before my customary small bet though think we will edge this by a margin of a single goal.

Quote

For reasons not very well explained, Jose Mourinho has been granted a five-day extension to respond to the FA charge of using “abusive and/or insulting and/or improper” language in full view of the TV cameras at the end of Manchester United’s previous match, the 3-2 comeback win over Newcastle.

Mourinho was supposed to respond by 6pm today, facing him with the decision to accept the charges and face a potential touchline ban, or to ask for a hearing, which would’ve allowed him to be on the touchline at Stamford Bridge, but could’ve risked more severe punishment if found to be frivolous.

Now he has until Wednesday to respond, so it’s a moot point as far as we’re concerned.

 

13 hours ago, Strider6003 said:

I'll wait until I see the line up before my customary small bet though think we will edge this by a margin of a single goal.

 I too will happily take any Chelsea win, by the margin of a  single goal.

Come on Chelsea !

Man Utd are wounded, Mourinho is wounded, so that makes this game more difficult. Rashford was very good against Spain and Fellaini will cause our defense problems. This is going to be a tough match and hard to predict. Let's hope we can do it. COME ON YOU BLUES !!!

Slightly worried,

just think with United being very unpredictable and wounded. That makes them dangerous 

@coco Interesting above, both us and City dominate the top 10 though we edge it.

Just one English player in the top 10, Kyle Walker.

Pogba the only Utd player.

GAMEDAY!!! COME ON CHELS!!!

Expect them to sit and frustrate us and try to catch us on the break or with set pieces.

Gameday, come on Chelsea !!

4-0 Chelsea with Herrera sent off for United

I'm a little worried about this game.

We should win, especially given our record against Man U at Stamford Bridge, but even in his lowest moments Jose can put on a tactical masterclass on a good day. Plus Man U still have talented personnel even though they are clearly less cohesive a side than Chelsea. 

We shouldn't underestimate Jose desire to get one over on us. He likes these challenges with his back against the wall. I imagine two red busses ready to counter attack

Since our former players always score against us, i'm betting on Lukaku and Mata to both score.

Prefer Pedro. Hope Alonso can last the 90. 

Good lineup.

Jose definitely going for the counter attack with rashford and Martial

I am worried about the counter attack with Martial, Rashford and Lukaku. That is a quick and dangerous front three on the counter attack.