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Goal look ahead to the weekend's heavyweight clash between John Obi Mikel's Blues and Louis van Gaal's resurgent Red Devils
Guinness Made of Black Match of the Weekend: Chelsea vs. Manchester United
Where: Stamford Bridge, London
When: 16:00 (GMT), Sunday, February 7
There are two particularly eye-catching fixtures this weekend; one which is a bout between title rivals, the other which is not.
If you'd have said, at the beginning of the season, that the February match-up between Chelsea and Manchester United was not going to be a battle for the championship, or that the Etihad Stadium showdown between Manchester City and Leicester City would be, no one—not even the most optimistic of Foxes fans—would have believed you.
However, as we head into Gameweek 25, that's exactly the situation we face.
Saturday's showpiece at the Etihad Stadium is the battle between the top two, as City host a Leicester side who look rampant at the moment.
In midweek, Claudio Ranieri's side hosted Liverpool—one of only two teams to have beaten them so far this season (the other being Arsenal)—and were outstanding, undermining much of Jurgen Klopp's fine work with a devastating offensive display.
How can one put into words the venom, the finesse, the beauty of Jamie Vardy's long-range volley? A truly astounding effort from a player in the form of his life.
They say that with Sergio Aguero leading the line, anything is possible for the Citizens, but at Leicester—who hold a three-point advantage heading into Saturday's match—you suspect Vardy promises the same optimism at the King Power Stadium.
By the time Sunday rolls around, and United travel to Stamford Bridge, Leicester could be a whopping 24 points ahead of Guus Hiddink's reigning champions.
It would have been unthinkable six months ago, but while the numbers demonstrate Leicester's immense showing this term, they also underpin Chelsea's malaise.
There have been signs of optimism in recent weeks, not least when the Pensioners secured a 1-0 victory away at Arsenal at the end of January.
However, while Hiddink has steadily helped Chelsea rediscover some semblance of stability—due in no small part to his decision to install John Obi Mikel as the heartbeat of the side—the Blues have lost some of their offensive zest.
The coach's decision to axe Eden Hazard from the starting XI during the underwhelming 0-0 draw with Watford on Wednesday naturally didn't go down well with all portions of the Stamford Bridge fanbase, and the Dutch coach will be expected to turn back to the Belgian superstar for the bout against United on Sunday.
Will Mikel be able to help the west London side keep the recent defensive solidity they've enjoyed against the likes of Arsenal, Manchester United and Watford, and will the club's plethora of attacking options rediscover some of their offensive menace?
Perhaps Saturday's showing of Aguero and Vardy will be inspiration enough!
Guinness weekly winners story:
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