Chelsea vs Man Utd – Predicted Starting XI’s For The Big Game

Chelsea welcome champions Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon for this weekends stand-out fixture.

The Blues splashed the cash again this week with the signing of Nemanja Matic from Benfica. The 25-year-old will be in the squad this weekend but Jose Mourinho has already confirmed the Serbian international won’t start.

Frank Lampard will be in the squad after recovering from a muscle injury, but he may be kept in reserve after three weeks on the sidelines with David Luiz possibly continuing his role in midfield alongside Ramires.

This would leave Gary Cahill to start with John Terry at the back, but Branislav Ivanovic remains out meaning Cesar Azpilicueta will play at right-back.

Fernando Torres appears to be Mourinho’s first choice centre-forward so should start ahead of Samuel Eto’o, while Willian is slowly cementing himself as a regular in the first team as well and is expected to start in attack with Oscar and Eden Hazard.

As for United they arrive in the Capital with a whole host of injury problems. David Moyes confirmed this afternoon that Wayne Rooney has returned to training following his warm-weather break, but the Chelsea game will come too soon for him as he continues to recover from a groin injury.

Rooney will therefore join Robin van Persie on the sidelines meaning Moyes will be without his two first choice strikers for the game. Danny Welbeck should lead in the line in their absence with Shinji Kagawa and Adnan Januzaj in support.

Moyes also has problems at the back with Jonny Evans, Phil Jones and Rio Ferdinand all doubts. If the trio fail to make the trip, Chris Smalling will start alongside Nemanja Vidic at the back.

Here are our predicted line-ups:

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