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Rumble In England, As Man United Plot Chelsea’s Fall

By Editor
17 April 2015   |   11:45 pm
Chelsea are hopeful striker Loic Remy will be fit after he missed the QPR match with a calf injury. Diego Costa is still absent but could return against Arsenal next week.
Chelsea’s midfielder, Cesc Fabregas (left) celebrates with teammate, Branislav Ivanovic, at a recent match. Will they prevail over Manchester United’s threat? PHOTO: AFP

Chelsea’s midfielder, Cesc Fabregas (left) celebrates with teammate, Branislav Ivanovic, at a recent match. Will they prevail over Manchester United’s threat? PHOTO: AFP

Chelsea are hopeful striker Loic Remy will be fit after he missed the QPR match with a calf injury. Diego Costa is still absent but could return against Arsenal next week.

Arsenal will face Reading in the English FA Cup semifinal today, but midfielder Jack Wilshere could make his first appearance after recovering from an ankle problem.

However, Mikel Arteta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are still not fit. Wojciech Szczesny will start in goal, while France defender Mathieu Debuchy may also be included in the squad again, having been out since January after needing shoulder surgery.

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal is without the injured quartet of Michael Carrick, Daley Blind, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo for the battle at Stamford Bridge.

Jonny Evans is suspended, so Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett are the club’s only available central defenders.

Even before a ball is kicked, the title seems to have moved closer to being clinched by Chelsea.

Manchester United’s derby win last weekend has come at a cost, with Phil Jones, Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo and Michael Carrick all ruled out of the action today.

Of that quartet, the loss of Carrick may be the most keenly felt, with United having won 12 and lost only one of the 16 Premier League games he’s started this season. There’s also the possible knock-on effect of having to move Wayne Rooney back from his striking position to cover.

Only Bradford have beaten the Blues at the Bridge this season, with Jose Mourinho’s side boasting the only undefeated home record in the top eight tiers of English football – encompassing 16 leagues!

Meanwhile, Pavel Pogrebnyak will be involved for Reading’s FA Cup semi-final after overcoming a calf complaint.

On-loan duo Nathan Ake and Kwesi Appiah are unavailable as they are cup-tied but fellow loanees Nathaniel Chalobah and Jamie Mackie can play.

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