Verdict: Cole Palmer over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
With all eyes falling on Old Trafford this weekend, Chelsea will make the trip to a struggling Manchester United on Saturday evening.
Manchester United
Starting with the hosts, marking their return from September’s international break with a woeful 3-0 drumming away at bitter local rivals Manchester City, the pressure on Ruben Amorim’s shoulders remains at a boiling point. Infamously crashing out of the EFL Cup last month at the hands of League Two outfit Grimsby, Manchester United are enduring what has been another public nightmare. Despite heading into September’s fortnight interval with an action-packed 3-2 victory against Premier League returners Burnley, that is the only win that Amorim’s squad have collected from any of their first five appearances across all competitions. Getting proceedings underway with a 1-0 loss at home against historic foes Arsenal on August 17th, it is no secret that United have gained a reputation for their glaring issues at the back.
Manchester United Team News
Still yet to make a single appearance this season, Manchester United will once again be without Argentinian international Lisandro Martinez on Saturday evening. Likewise, missing out away at the Etihad last weekend, summer recruit and ex-Wolves talisman Matheus Cunha remains a major doubt.
While big-money new recruit Benjamin Sesko might still be waiting to open his account after arriving from German outfit RB Leipzig, the Slovenian marksman should keep his spot leading the line. Officially completing a Deadline Day move from Antwerp, Senne Lammens should make his United debut between the sticks.
Chelsea
As for the visitors, getting their Champions League adventure underway with a 3-1 defeat away at German giants Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, Chelsea know the importance of immediately dusting themselves down. While Enzo Maresca’s men might be unbeaten in each of their first four Premier League appearances, the reigning Club World Cup champions are searching for some crucial defensive steel. Suffering late heartbreak away at local rivals Brentford last weekend as they marked their return from September’s international break with a 2-2 stalemate across west London, Chelsea have also shown some extended domestic issues on the road. Despite heading into the fortnight interval with a thumping 5-1 victory away at West Ham, Maresca’s side have remarkably won just a trio of their previous 13 Premier League showdowns away from Stamford Bridge – a run that stems back over the past 12 months.
Chelsea Team News
Both still dealing with respective long-term injury issues, Chelsea will travel to Old Trafford on Saturday evening without the English duo of Levi Colwill and summer recruit Liam Delap. Yet to make a single appearance this season, Romeo Lavia will also miss out in Manchester this weekend.
Forced to train away from Chelsea’s first-team stars and with Maresca making it clear that he has no future at Stamford Bridge, former Manchester City ace Raheem Sterling will once again watch from home. Only arriving from United a fortnight ago, Alejandro Garnacho could make his first Chelsea star at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Chelsea Key Factors to Consider
- When Manchester United and Chelsea last met back on May 16th, the Blues collected a 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge.
- In fact, Chelsea have registered seven points from their previous three Premier League showdowns against Saturday’s hosts.
- Manchester United have recorded just a single victory from any of their first five appearances across all competitions.
- Chelsea have registered just a single clean sheet from any of their previous four appearances across all competitions.
- Continuing on from last season, the Blues have remarkably won just a trio of their previous 13 Premier League matchups away from Stamford Bridge.
Conclusion
Getting their Champions League adventure underway with a downbeat 3-1 defeat away at Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, Chelsea will be desperately seeking a response here. However, suffering last-gasp heartbreak away at local rivals Brentford last weekend as they eventually had to settle for a 2-2 stalemate, Maresca’s side are seeking some kind of defensive steel. Despite heading into September’s international break with a thumping 5-1 romp away at West Ham, the Blues have recorded just a pair of Premier League clean sheets away from Stamford Bridge over the past 12 months.
Verdict: Cole Palmer over 0.5 shots on target
Best Odds: 1/2
Bookmaker: Luckster
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