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
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