Match Preview

Guus Hiddink has played down the significance of again pitting his wits against Dutch compatriot Louis van Gaal when Chelsea host Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League on Sunday.

The experienced coaches have each enjoyed two spells in charge of the Netherlands, while their careers have crossed paths in three different countries over the past 18 years.

Van Gaal's last victory over Hiddink came for Barcelona in a 3-0 success against Real Madrid in 1999.

But Hiddink guided the comparatively unheralded Real Betis to a 2-1 win over Van Gaal's Barca the next year. He then reeled off three straight victories for his AZ against Van Gaal’s PSV Eindhoven in five months between October 2005 and March 2006.

The pair renewed their rivalry with a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford in Hiddink's second match back at Stamford Bridge and the Chelsea manager was quick to play down the significance of their previous tussles.

"We must not overvalue the role of the managers and the coaches - they prepare the games and the opponent and the way we like to play; that's it," Hiddink said. "At the end the players have to execute what you are doing in training and in team meetings.

“We must not overvalue the battle between managers; it's a battle between the players.

"This is a big match. Big clubs through the years, both Manchester United and us like to compete for the title. They have under-performed and we are getting back on track a little bit."

Chelsea have won two and drawn five of seven Barclays Premier League matches under Hiddink and he is keen to add more triumphs to that unbeaten run.

"Of course I would like some more victories instead of the unbeaten draws, but the team is step by step more stable and now we hope to go into a beautiful spring time," he said.

Van Gaal, who described his relationship with Hiddink as "professional", is buoyed by United's 3-0 midweek victory over Stoke City.

He believes a repeat of such form could prompt a revival of title ambitions for his side, who sit 10 points off the pace in fifth with 14 matches remaining.

"I have said that only Crystal Palace and Arsenal this season were better [in matches against] Manchester United," he said. "But we have to show it in a row of games that you win. In this competition, everything is possible."

Diego Costa is again set to lead the line alone in attack for Chelsea, with Radamel Falcao (groin) and Loic Remy (calf) out.

Alexandre Pato is still building match fitness after his loan move from Corinthians, but winger Pedro is back in training following a groin complaint.

United's midfield will again be without Bastian Schweinsteiger, who has a knee injury. Phil Jones (ankle) is stepping up his recovery, while Ashley Young (groin), Marcos Rojo (shoulder), Antonio Valencia (ankle) and Luke Shaw (broken leg) remain long-term absentees.

Chelsea (from): Begovic, Blackman, Courtois, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Djilobodji, Ivanovic, Rahman, Terry, Zouma, Fabregas, Hazard, Loftus-Cheek, Matic, Mikel, Oscar, Ramires, Traore, Willian, Costa, Kenedy, Pedro

Manchester United (from): De Gea, Romero, Johnstone, Valdes, Darmian, McNair, Smalling, Varela, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, Lingard, Mata, Pereira, Schneiderlin, Depay, Martial, Rooney.

Match Appointments
Referee: Michael Oliver Assistants: S Burt, G Beswick Fourth Official: C Pawson

Match Facts

Chelsea are unbeaten in their last six Barclays Premier League meetings with Manchester United (W3 D3).
United have lost more often to Chelsea than any other opponent in the Barclays Premier League era (16 times).
Man Utd have won only one of their last 13 Barclays Premier League trips to Stamford Bridge (W1 D4 L8).
Guus Hiddink is unbeaten in his last five competitive contests with Dutch compatriot Louis Van Gaal, winning four and drawing one.

Current Form

Chelsea
D 0 - 0 v WAT (A)
W 0 - 1 v ARS (A)
D 3 - 3 v EVE (H)
D 2 - 2 v WBA (H)
W 0 - 3 v CRY (A)
D 0 - 0 v MUN (A)

Man Utd
W 3 - 0 v STK (H)
L 0 - 1 v SOU (H)
W 0 - 1 v LIV (A)
D 3 - 3 v NEW (A)
W 2 - 1 v SWA (H)
D 0 - 0 v CHE (H)

Last Corresponding Meeting
Sat 18 Apr 2015, Stamford Bridge
Chelsea 1 - 0 Man Utd

Eden Hazard (38)

http://m.premierleague.com/en-gb/matches/2015-2016/epl.summary.html/chelsea-vs-man-utd

we are sending the "lose" down 15th position with immediate effect.

Op time na 5pm naa.... And try to dey upload your match preview on time so that people go read am not 3 or 2hrs to match.







Verdict: this fixture has draw written all over it, 1-1.

Modified

This kora people. Why would it be 1 1

If Man U no flig Chelsea 3:1, make I naked bath.

I Can't Wait

Alabi boys this match na X
stake your galfrnd

UNITED!!!!

Chelshit is going down. They are bound for relegation this season

Ordinary match, could had been match of the weekend some seasons ago

Manchester United is winning! GGMUFC.

Chelsea 2 vs 1 Man U

match of the week.

Blue

2 troubled teams. Anyways, It's Chelsea anyday. Even if ManU had CR7, Messi, Suarez etc and were to play against Chelsea, I'll still put my money on Chelsea. That's what we do, we are no cowards, we're Champions! BLUE hearts for you'll! That's right! Bless up

Two teams bound for relegation not a good March jhor




Few weeks to barca - Arsenal... Ozil go cry ehn 7-0 straight predict

Fumbling champions most especially Chelsea. I guess the blues are a bit above discovering crude oil .

chelsea will hear am today

MAN UTD is winning this match.....Don't doubt it.

Yaaay can't wait.

It's [size=15pt]LadyF[/size] again

Chelsea fc 2: Manchester utd 1 ... if u are betting, bet wisely

CHE 4 MAN UTD 1 can't wait to watch

Hiddink just start D.Costa+Oscar and E.Hazard and Utd re done for

laserjet:
Chelshit is going down. They are bound for relegation this season

pls whch of the weeds re you high on..

I must sing harrysong after the ragae play the blues today

smartmoses:
Chelsea 2 vs 1 Man U

tobimillar:
Chelsea fc 2: Manchester utd 1 ... if u are betting, bet wisely

Chelsea 1- 2 Man utd

ladyF:
Yaaay can't wait.

It's [size=15pt]LadyF[/size] again

I don see you for here again. Why are you always everywhere I go. Is your name MTN ??

CHELSEA 2 - 0 MAN UTD