Chelsea take on Manchester United in the first game of the weekend as the Premier League returns from the international break. The Blues are unbeaten after eight games of the season and sit second in the table, while United have been average, losing three of their eight games, sitting eighth in the table. The main sub-plot of this match will be Jose Mourinho returning to Stamford Bridge, a place where he enjoyed immense success as a manager, but defeat here could spell the end of his time in charge at Old Trafford.
Chelsea’s rise to second in the table comes with a resurgence in the form of Eden Hazard, who’s found the back of the net seven times in the Premier League this season and is currently the league’s top scorer. The Belgian’s form can be put down to new tactics implemented by manager Maurizio Sarri, but caution must be applied, as the Blues are heavily reliant on Hazard and stopping him could be the key to beating Chelsea this season.
In fact, Ander Herrera has been an excellent foil for Hazard in recent years, but he’s only just returned to training and there’s no guarantee that he’ll play this weekend. This game is of high importance to Mourinho though, with another defeat almost certainly spelling the end of his tenure at United. He’s expected to be serving a touchline ban for this game though, having been charged with improper conduct in United’s last match at home to Newcastle, a game where the Red Devils went 2-0 down, before fighting back to win 3-2.
Chelsea vs. Manchester United Predictions
Mourinho is renowned for going to play top six clubs away from home and killing the game, but if Eden Hazard gets on the ball and runs at the United defence, then they could be in trouble. David De Gea’s form has also deserted him, so it could be a worrying time. Chelsea should win this game fairly comfortably.
Chelsea vs. Manchester United Betting Tips
Head to Head
- Saturday will mark the 181st meeting between these two sides.
- Manchester United have traditionally dominated the fixture with 77 wins over the years, but Chelsea have been closing the gap with 54 wins to their name.
- The Blues have not lost at home to United since October 2012, losing just two of the 17 meetings between the two since then.
- Chelsea are looking to remain unbeaten throughout their first nine matches of a Premier League season for the third time, having also done so in their title-winning campaigns of 2005/06 and 2014/15.
- Eden Hazard is the Premier League’s top scorer with seven strikes and he has also contributed three assists, making him the first player to record 10 goal involvements this season. Meanwhile, no player has provided more assists than Olivier Giroud, with four.
- Manchester United have the chance to secure their first victory at Stamford Bridge in all competitions since Sir Alex Ferguson retired at the end of the 2012/13 season (P6 W0 D1 L5).
- The Blues are one of only two sides against whom United have lost more matches in the Premier League than they have won, suffering 18 defeats. The other side is Brighton and Hove Albion.
Chelsea Team News
Antonio Rudiger is the only injury concern for Maurizio Sarri, with the German defender pulling out of international duty with a groin injury. He’s started seven Premier League games this season, with Andreas Christensen likely to replace him in the starting line-up.
Manchester United Team News
Both Luke Shaw and Nemanja Matic are doubts, with the pair both missing international duty last week. Ander Herrera returned to training in the international break, while United are also hopeful over Jesse Lingard’s fitness, with the England international not having played since the EFL Cup defeat to Derby.
@dominictrant