Chelsea host Manchester United on Sunday in what promises to be one of the fixtures of the season.

The two sides have had mixed reviews this season, with United sitting second despite a rough last couple of weeks, and Chelsea in 4th – although their form over the course of the season has been very hit and miss.

This is the sort of game where a side can put all their woes behind them. If United win at Stamford Bridge, they will almost certainly be fancied as serious title chances, whereas a Chelsea win will put their poor form of late out of the spotlight, and allow them to move forward.

Chelsea won the league with ease last year, but sit 9 points behind leaders Manchester City so far after 10 games. Many have put that down to the absence of Nemanja Matic, who was instrumental for the Blues last season but allowed to join Manchester United in the summer for £40m. Chelsea’s loss was United’s gain, and the Serbian’s return to Stamford Bridge will be eagerly anticipated by all.

Chelsea go into the game off the back of a 3-0 defeat to Roma, while United overcame Benfica 2-0 on the same night.

However United have plenty of injury worries to be concerned about compared to Chelsea. Midfielders Marouane Fellaini, Paul Pogba and Michael Carrick are all out of contention with Scott McTominay expected to be in with a chance of potentially playing a big part in the game.

Meanwhile, long-term absentees Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marcos Rojo also remain out. Jesse Lingard is the latest injury concern, but his availability for the game is only a slight doubt.

Chelsea find themselves in a much different place ahead of the game. N’Golo Kante has been a big miss for the Blues, but looks set to return to the side against United. Victor Moses won’t be so lucky though, and he is expected to be out until at least November 18.

Predicted XI’s

Chelsea: Courtois; Rudiger, Luiz, Cahill; Azpilicueta, Kante, Fabregas, Alonso; Pedro, Hazard, Morata

Manchester United: De Gea; Bailly, Jones, Smalling; Valencia, Matic, Herrera, Darmian; Mata, Rashford, Lukaku

Predicted score: 1-0