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FA Cup preview: Conte’s Chelsea host Mourinho’s Manchester United

The Special One returns to his old stomping ground for a high-stakes cup clash!

FA Cup preview: Conte’s Chelsea host Mourinho’s Manchester United

Jose Mourinho returns to his old stomping ground on Monday night when his Manchester United side travel to Stamford Bridge for an epic FA Cup quarterfinal clash with an Antonio Conte led-Chelsea that seem to have no equals at the moment.

Running away with the league are the Blues and will be confident of making the last four as they bid to keep hopes of a domestic double alive.

Striving to upset their applecart will be their ex-boss Jose Mourinho, who has the odds firmly stacked against him after star striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s suspension rules him out of this quarterfinal fixture.

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Chelsea
An effective champions-elect in the English Premier League (10 points clear), Chelsea can afford to focus all their energies on the FA Cup.
After a fairly early exit from the League Cup, the Blues will be keen to avoid an exit, especially when a Double is almost within their grasp.

As a result, expect Conte to field his strongest-possible side. They will be making a superb last four in a competition the Blues have enjoyed outstanding success over the years.

Three players have been absolutely crucial to Chelsea’s outstanding success in the league. The indefatigable N’Golo Kante, the mercurial Eden Hazard and the prolific Diego Costa. While all three may not be at Stamford Bridge next season, on Monday you can bet that they will be at the heart of every home attack. Keep these three quiet and perhaps United may get a result but that is a tall order indeed and hasn't happened often this season.

With no injury or suspension issues, Chelsea will be relishing United’s visit on Monday and while a repeat of the 4-0 hiding may be a little realistic, should they get a good start to the game, anything is possible.

Manchester United
Some pressing concerns seem to have ‘defeated’ United before the game having started, with the biggest one being the absence of their top-scorer Zlatan Ibrahimovic. The Swede has been ripping it up in his maiden Premier League season and without him, United look toothless in attack.

The second issue being the fact that while Chelsea have had a full week’s rest, United made a trip to Russia for their Europa League encounter on Thursday night and Monday’s trip may be a bridge too far.

Mourinho is expected to field a side which will look to hit Chelsea on the counter, with the young duo of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial’s searing pace key in an encounter in which the away side aren't expected to see most of the ball.

Speaking of the ball, the pressure will be on record-signing Paul Pogba to stand up and deliver in a season which has seen fellow summer-signing Ibrahimovic outshine him by a country mile. The French midfielder will have to be patient and be confident enough to tuck away the few chances he gets if United are to script an upset. 

Apart from Ibrahimovic, United are surprisingly clear of any injuries/suspensions with full-back Luke Shaw and captain Wayne Rooney to make the bench at least.

Super Stat: Chelsea are unbeaten against the Red Devils in 11 previous meetings, with their last loss coming in a controversial 2-3 result in the 2012/13 season!

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