Betting: Battling point would give Jose Mourinho a happy return to Chelsea
THERE is only one story in town as Chelsea face Manchester United on Sunday – the return of Jose Mourinho to Stamford Bridge.
Revered by Blues fans after two trophy-laden spells in charge, his time in west London came to an end acrimoniously last December, with the club 16th in the table.
While matches between Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and United usually need no extra hype, the advent of Mourinho’s first match against his former charges since his second departure gives this game an added edge.
The Portuguese boss reportedly fell out with a number of Blues stars last term, with Diego Costa and Eden Hazard supposedly chief among those.
They have been Chelsea’s main men this year – Costa with seven goals, Hazard with three – and both scored in the 3-0 dismantling of Leicester last weekend.
Both will be desperate to perform in front of their former gaffer.
They won’t find it easy, however.
As seen countless times during his career, Mourinho is so well versed at setting a team up to not lose in these crunch fixtures.
The 0-0 draw against Liverpool on Monday night was textbook Jose – soak up pressure, quieten the crowd, and take a hard-earnt point.
Given the way United were able to repel their rivals, and the inspired form of David De Gea, I think Sunday’s game might descend into a damp squib too.
I advise backing the draw at 9/4 with Betway.
United’s supposed attacking threats Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Paul Pogba were anonymous at Anfield and look short of form.
Against a newly solid three-man Chelsea defence, who haven’t conceded in 235 minutes of action, I can’t see them getting many.
Can Costa or Hazard can find a way past United’s equally mean defence, which performed so admirably on Monday? I’m not so sure.
Like so many Mourinho games over the years, I will be selling goals at 2.55 with Sporting Index.
Pointers
Draw 9/4 (Betway)
Sell total goals 2.55 (Sporting Index)