The maelstrom that is the life and times of John Terry again overshadows a big Chelsea fixture. The issue of the England captaincy and Terry's relationship with other senior players in the national team, most notably Rio Ferdinand, inevitably caused the FA to act. Presumably they decided that the debate about Terry's suitability for the role was a sideshow which threatened to become the main event during this summer's European Championships.

Many will also feel that Fabio Capello made a serious error of judgement in reappointing Terry in the first place. Ferdinand has said he doesn't want the armband back, and in any case he has played in only seven of England's last 26 games.

Injury means that Terry will not play in Sunday's heavyweight clash, thereby preventing a first face-to-face meeting with Ferdinand since the accusations against Chelsea's captain of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand were made.

So on to the real point of the afternoon - the game itself. Chelsea against Manchester United may look less like a title decider this year, but Chelsea are actually a point better off than at this stage last season and will want their say in the destination of the Premier League.

Having played Manchester City, Arsenal and Liverpool in quick succession, and with Liverpool coming up again, United are at a crucial stage of their season. They have hauled themselves level with Manchester City and will be desperate not to allow the pressure on their wobbly neighbours to ease.

United don't much like Stamford Bridge, though. Their last win in the Premier League on Chelsea soil came 10 years ago. That's so ancient that Barthez, Beckham, and Laurent Blanc were still around. Much more recent was the Champions League win at the Bridge in last season's quarter-final which confirmed United's edge on Chelsea and Carlo Ancelotti's imminent demise.

If you are going to drag me off the fence, I'll say United to win again.

Head-to-head




• Chelsea are unbeaten in their last nine home league games against Manchester United since a 3-0 defeat nearly a decade ago (W6, D3).



• United have only scored three goals in their last eight Premier League visits to Stamford Bridge.



• However, they did win their most recent game at Chelsea - Wayne Rooney scoring the only goal in the Champions League quarter-final first leg last April.



Chelsea


• Chelsea are unbeaten in 2012 in all competitions (W4, D2), earning eight points from their last four league matches.



• They are one point better off than at the same stage of last season.



• A fourth home defeat of the campaign would represent their worst record since the 2001-02 season.



• They have salvaged eight points from the seven league matches in which conceded the first goal. No other Premier League club has recovered more than a point per game on average.



• It is now 1,076 minutes (17hrs 56 mins) - spanning 17 matches - since Fernando Torres scored for Chelsea. Seven Chelsea players have a better minutes per goal record than Fernando Torres (593) since he joined the club.



• According to Opta, Juan Mata had created the most chances in the Premier League this season (67) prior to this weekend's fixtures.



Man Utd


• United have the best away record in the top flight, earning 26 points from 11 matches and losing only once.



• They have yet to lose after opening the scoring this season (W17, D2), but they are winless in the four games in which they conceded the first goal.



• The Red Devils have kept a clean sheet in 12 of their 23 league matches, more than any other top-flight side.



• United only had two shots on target - both penalties - against Stoke in midweek.



• Antonio Valencia has provided nine assists in his last nine league appearances.