While pundits might endlessly debate whether United's recent successful run whas been caused by LVG figuring things out or rather by pure blind luck, the fact of the matter remains that they are sitting in a very favorable position with just 6 games to go in the season and everything conceivably still to play for. Well sure, the title might be a little out of reach now, but should they manage a result at Stamford Bridge tomorrow, they'll be shifting the pressure fully back on Arsenal, who themselves have a visit to Chelsea planned for next week, for 2d place.
The context is ripe for a statement win, one that would validate their season after 3 straight wins over heralded opposition. No doubt the whole squad will be feeling up for it, but probably no one more so than one Juan Mata, who likely hasn't forgotten the way he was unceremoniously dumped by Chelsea. But while the narrative of an irresistible United win sounds great on paper, that would be forgetting how tough Mourinho-led Chelsea teams generally are at home. Sure, they've needed blunders from their opposition recently to get wins, but with their lead mostly safe, they'll have the luxury of being to play the counterpuncher role Mourinho has been so adept at.

Palace will look to inject extra nervousness in ex-coach Pulis' end of season, as his Baggies now look warily down at clubs who not long ago seemed done and dusted. Most of them have tough games this weekend, such as Burnley having to go to (a much better) Everton or Leicester hosting Swansea, but the relegation battle is just getting started. City will try to establish themselves again for the last Champions League spot against West Ham. Lucky for them this is one of the most apathetic teams in the league right now (one win in their last ten). Spurs can think along the same lines as they travel to Newcastle. And since I don't want Arsene to start emailing me angry rants I'll do a quick mention of Arsenal's FA Cup semi-final against Reading, sadly scheduled at the same time as Chelsea-United. Sunday's Villa-Liverpool is the better Cup game this weekend anyway, natch.

Spain: Barcelona stumbling at Sevilla wasn't necessarily a shock, considering this is a team that hasn't lost at home in over a year, but the test continues as 4th place Valencia comes to the Camp Nou. Real will have to be careful with Malaga who are fresh off a 2-2 draw with Atletico.

Italy: this weekend has the Milan derby, which will have little fanfare considering the sad season both teams have been having. Fortunately there's an explosive game for Serie A fans to feast on as Juve and Lazio meet. Paolo Di Canio's favorite club won't be catching with that day's opponents for the Scudetto, but a win would do a lot to bolster their claims to 2d place over their crosstown rivals Roma.

Germany: Borussia fans have four more games to serenade their coach, as they start facing the harsh reality of a post-Klopp world.

France: Not exactly a banner week for PSG, after the loss to Barcelona and Lyon retaking the Ligue 1 lead. They'll have to gather themselves quickly as they head down to Nice's fiery arena. Lyon have the derby with St Etienne, in which they'll surely want to get some revenge for the 3-0 thumping they received back in November.

EPL
Saturday 18 April 2015
10:00a Crystal Palace v West Brom
10:00a Everton v Burnley
10:00a Leicester v Swansea
10:00a Stoke v Southampton
12:30p Chelsea v Man Utd
Sunday 19 April 2015
8:30a Man City v West Ham
11:00a Newcastle v Spurs

we've got 1 natural CB and no natural DMs available if LVG is to be believed.
i'll be happy with a point.

chelsea is just not the same offensively without a full strength costa

This will likely be a draw, which is exactly what I want to happen.

>chelsea is just not the same offensively without a full
>strength costa

when motivated and on form, Remy is a more than adequate replacement for Diego Costa though.

i wish the point breakdown for games he played/missed. it's crazy.

with the kind of season they're having that seems like a missed opportunity for some ex-Russian republic to get some PR action

Valencia and Sevilla are both really good teams that get no respect from people who don't watch Spain. I think they're both good enough to finish top 5 in England.

Hope Malaga can take a point (or 3) from Real.

and disappointing. a draw will be a major W if we can pull it out.

http://gfycat.com/DependableCoarseIntermediateegret

atletico was such an odd move for a player of his obvious quality.

they won the league and were CL finalists when he signed.

hes good enough for the RMs, Barcas, chelsea, manutds, bayerns of the world.

wish more young players moved step by step like that

Poor goal allowed but damn, we are all over the place right now

it sounds so muffled.

Dude can't score to save his fucking life.

he won't even overlap his winger ffs.

also januzaj won't be with us for much longer. he's just not good.

IMO he might be MOTM more than Hazard. Completely snuffed out Fellani and put a damper on a lot of the relay headers that have worked so well for United in their recent run

dude just clean forgot basic goalie fundamentals.

Let's just stay on their damn throat now

Nacho is cool, but we need another LB, it's now become our most immediate summer need.

Weird game, also I'm hopefully of Gabriel but he stay misjudging those long balls and letting them bounce - need to get that corrected

Gibbs really hasn't progressed at all and you never know when his hammy or groin are going to act up. We really need a legitimate LB.

Gabriel shows so much promise but his long ball judgement, as you said, needs to be worked on. Way too risky to let those things bounce.

Benteke has been on one incredible run of form lately...just at the right time too.

Can is going to see that dude's short shorts flying past him in his sleep for the next year or so.

So happy to see the lad put in such a performance.