Chelsea: Three things to look for in top four six pointer

3. Tactical nullification

It used to be an issue with 4-2-3-1, especially for those few seasons where everyone used it, that two teams facing each other in the formation would just nullify one another in every way. Matches between two 4-2-3-1’s would quickly become terrible affairs where only individual brilliance shined through.

Three at the back is the newer version of that. Antonio Conte made it cool again in the Premier League and for the first season, no one had an answer to it. Some tried to match it but didn’t get the particulars of it yet. Since then, three at the back has become more common place and, as a result, it nullifies itself has also become more common place.

One of the main reasons teams use 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 is the numerical advantages it grants. In defense, the now back five will outnumber almost every conventional attacking shape or at the very least match it. On attack, it will outnumber a back four while maintaining a solid base.

But 3-4-3 v 3-4-3? That is just going to match up perfectly on attack and defense. 3-2-5 v 5-2-3 in attack versus defense is quickly going to come down to individual brilliance or tactical tweaks.

Tuchel has shown that he can make tweaks throughout the game, but some of his bigger ones have yet to come off. Don’t forget, Brighton also plays three at the back. To try to solve that problem, Tuchel tried a 4-3-3 and then a 4-4-2. Neither worked and, if anything, they just exposed Chelsea further.

It will be a tricky balancing act for both Tuchel and David Moyes in this one. Blink first and risk losing the advantages, or try to find a solution before the opponent?

What are you looking for in this one? Let us know in the comments and on Twitter!