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Thursday, February 21

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How Chelsea could line up against Manchester United

By , Senior Reporter | 4d
Ahead of Chelsea's FA Cup fifth-round tie against Manchester United on Monday night, Sports Mole looks at how the 2018 winners could line up.

FA Cup holders Chelsea welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Monday evening in a repeat of last season's Wembley final.

The Blues won 1-0 nine months ago to lift the trophy for an eighth time, but they head into this latest tussle on the back of some poor form.

Chelsea may have edged out Malmo 2-1 in the first leg of their Europa League last-32 clash in midweek, but they have suffered heavy losses to Bournemouth and Manchester City of late and the pressure is on Maurizio Sarri to pick up victory against United.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Sarri may set out his side for Monday's fifth-round tie.




Out: Marco van Ginkel (knee)
Doubtful: Danny Drinkwater (tendon), Ruben Loftus-Cheek (back), Gary Cahill (back)

> Click here for the latest Chelsea injury and suspension news

Sarri fielded a mixed XI for the midweek trip to Sweden, leaving star man Eden Hazard on the bench for 70 minutes and giving Gonzalo Higuain the evening off.

Both men are expected to be recalled against United, however, which could spell bad news for Olivier Giroud, who has had a hand in 23 goals in 28 appearances in the FA Cup, averaging a goal or assist every 73 minutes in the competition.

There are rumours of a falling out behind the scenes between Sarri and Marcos Alonso on the back of the 6-0 loss at Man City, which could see Emerson Palmieri given an extended run in the side at left-back.

Despite questions being asked of the 4-3-3 formation, meanwhile, the under-fire Italian looks certain to retain faith in Jorginho as the central pivot of his three-man midfield, with N'Golo Kante to the right of him.

It is then a straight fight between Loftus-Cheek, who is carrying a back injury, Mateo Kovacic and Ross Barkley for the third spot, which the latter appears favourite to hold down thanks to his goal against Malmo.

Experienced centre-back Cahill is Chelsea's only other fitness doubt, but he was unlikely to play a part anyway.



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Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411
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Select and display your favourite team's news and scores in this panel
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City27212474205465
2Liverpool26205159154465
3Tottenham HotspurSpurs26200654252960
4Manchester UnitedMan Utd26156552351751
5Arsenal26155653371650
6Chelsea26155645291650
7Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2611693433139
8Watford2610793434037
9Everton2796123639-333
10West Ham UnitedWest Ham2696113239-733
11Bournemouth26103133747-1033
12Leicester CityLeicester2695123134-332
13Crystal Palace2676132734-727
14Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2676132839-1127
15Burnley2676132947-1827
16Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2667132234-1225
17Cardiff CityCardiff2674152447-2325
18Southampton2659122844-1624
19Fulham2645172558-3317
20Huddersfield TownHuddersfield2625191448-3411
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