Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea, and offers the latest betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
Top-four hopefuls Manchester United and Chelsea lock horns at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, hoping to kick-start their respective campaigns with victory.
Both sides head into the showdown on the back of an abysmal start to the 2020/21 Premier League. Only Chelsea are in the top-10 at the moment in a lowly ninth-place. United, on the other hand, are down in 15th.
Although the Blues haven’t won at Old Trafford since 2013 (P7 D5 L2) and are no away specialists either.
But the two sides usually guarantee goals in their games and, with doubts lingering over their respective defenses, an entertaining game of football could be on the table.
Manchester United Form & Stats
A morale-boosting midweek victory over Paris Saint-Germain has left the hosts in good stead. The only actual concern is their home form this season, having lost both their games this season in brutal fashion. First came a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace before Tottenham smashed them 6-1 in their last fixture.
On the back of two impressive away wins at Newcastle and PSG, however, Manchester United will hope to overturn their home fortunes.
The Red Devils have only lost their opening three home games of a league campaign once in 1930/31. And, in that season, they finished rock-bottom in the standings. Failing to beat Chelsea on Saturday will also condemn United to a first five-match winless run at home for the first time in 30 years.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has teased, though, that Edinson Cavani could make his long-awaited debut. Harry Maguire and Mason Greenwood could return to the fold themselves.
Key Team Stats
- Won four of their last five games in all competitions.
- Won three of their four games against Chelsea (L1) in all competitions last season.
- Marcus Rashford has scored four goals in his last three games against Chelsea in all competitions.
Chelsea Form & Stats
Frank Lampard’s side head to Old Trafford on the back of a sluggish 0-0 draw at home to Sevilla. While the clean sheet was a welcome return, they were unusually sluggish in front of the goal at Stamford Bridge.
Now Chelsea must put that stalemate behind them and re-focus on the task at hand. Beating Manchester United would surely send a statement to the competition. But their away record hasn’t been anything to brag about, with the club winning just one of their last six games on the road (D2 L3).
That, on top of their defensive record, leaves the visitors at a disadvantage in Manchester. In fact, they’ve conceded an average of 1.57 goals in Lampard’s 63 games as manager in all competitions.
But with Kepa Arrizabalaga injured, Edouard Mendy will likely start in goal. The new Blues shot-stopper has kept two clean sheets in his first three games since joining from Rennes in September for €24m.
Key Team Stats
- Won just one of their last five league games.
- Over 2.5 goals in their last nine away league games.
- Scored 3+ goals in their last three away league games.
- Just one clean sheet in their 21 away league games under Lampard.
Team News
Manchester United
Out: Eric Bailly, Anthony Martial, Jesse Lingard, Brandon Williams, Marcos Rojo, & Facundo Pellistri.
Doubt/s: Edinson Cavani, Mason Greenwood, & Harry Maguire.
Chelsea
Out: Billy Gilmour & Kepa Arrizabalaga.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top performers in last five matches
Head-To-Head Record
Manchester United vs Chelsea League Stats
First Team To Score
Match Facts
Betting Tips
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