Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Sunday in what could be described as the star game of Matchday Nine of the Premier League.
The match promises loads of excitement as both clubs have a rich history behind them.
However, Chelsea have an edge over their visitors whom they’ve not lost against in their previous seven meetings.
United on the hand have lost more PL fixtures against Chelsea than any other side (16).
Aside these stats, here are four other things to look out for when the Blues face the Red Devils.
- Mourinho’s return
Jose Mourinho will be making a sensational return to Stamford Bridge for the first time with an opposition team in the Premier League. The gaffer who won three league titles for the London club was axed last season before heading to United in the summer.
“To say I care is not true because, to be honest, when I go to a football match, I do not focus on that. I focus on the game,” Mourinho told Goal.
“I try to prepare myself for matches, so I cannot say that I care.”
- Fans reaction
Even Mourinho doesn’t know what to expect from Chelsea fans when he returns to the Bridge. The gaffer is undoubtedly the most successful Blues manager in history but is now in charge of a rival team.
“What can I expect? I don’t know,” the Portuguese revealed.
“They can think about me and remember our great relationship and have a good reaction. They can look at me and say ‘for 90 minutes he is Manchester United manager and he’s playing against us so he is not somebody we like in this moment’.”
- Battle of tactics
Mourinho was heavily criticised for his tactics in the barren draw against Liverpool on Monday. Coming against Antonio Conte who plays with three at the back, many will expect the Portuguese to play to the strength of his team – which obviously is the attack.
“You must start the game with only one target: to win. Not to play for a draw. I don`t like this – it’s not football,” Conte said.
“It’s also important to win in the right way, to put in a performance for the fans and to show our work.”
- Costa’s streak
Diego Costa is gradually regaining his confidence under Conte with seven goals in eight league games. The Spaniard is just two goals shy of equalling his own record of two seasons ago under Mourinho. On Sunday, against his former tutor, all eyes will once again be on Costa who currently leads the goalscoring chart.
