Manchester United vs Chelsea Prediction

This game, in what is undoubtedly the headline of this weekend's super Sunday, is almost certain to be dominated by the trials and tribulations of both sides' managers.

Manchester United will be at the center of this discussion, as it seems that with current Sporting Lisbon coach Ruben Amorim joining in early November, they will be temporarily led by club legend Ruud Van Nistlerooy, who oversaw a big win against Leicester in midweek.

For Chelsea and coach Enzo Maresca, it is about recovering from what was a dire away performance as Newcastle knocked them out of the Carabao Cup with ease in midweek. It was Chelsea’s first actively poor performance under Maresca, and we will see for the first time how he and his squad bounce back from it.

As an intriguing and story laden game approaches, here is everything you need to know about both sides ahead of kick-off.

Key Statistics

• There has not been a goalless meeting between United and Chelsea in their last seven meetings.
• Manchester United scored five against Leicester in midweek, the first time they have managed that tally against a top flight side since their 9-0 victory over Southampton in 2021.
• In their last meeting, Cole Palmer won the game for Chelsea with the third-latest goal in Premier League history, clocked at 101 minutes 41 seconds.
• Chelsea have picked up 10 points in their last five Premier League games, compared to United’s five points.

Manchester United Preview

Manchester United Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana (GK); Noussair Mazraoui, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs De Ligt, Diogo Dalot; Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Hojlund.

While Manchester United’s season has so far qualified as abysmal, the departure of Erik Ten Haag brings with it a new dawn. Their first game under interim coach Van Nistlerooy showed that the squad has a lot more talent than they were showing under their former manager.

Dominating Leicester in a vintage display of cup football, United got the job done with ease, winning by 5-2 scoreline as Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes bagged a brace, with the latter opening his account for the season. United will need Bruno Fernandes in fine form if they are to challenge Chelsea this weekend.

Ten Haag could feel that his firing was harsh, as he had an injury list of nine players to deal with, but if Van Nistlerooy can get United playing the fluid football they were on Wednesday night, the logical follow on is that Ten Haag should have as well.

Now confirmed future coach Amorim would inherit a squad with a lot of quality when he joins, but he will also inherit a squad lacking in belief, after a couple of seasons of mediocrity. It will be a challenge for him, but having won two league titles with Sporting, it seems he knows exactly how to get a dressing room fired up.

Chelsea Preview

Chelsea Predicted Lineup (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez (GK); Malo Gusto, Levi Colwill, Wesley Fofana, Reece James; Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia; Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Pedro Neto; Nicolas Jackson.

After beating Newcastle in the league at the weekend, Chelsea should have gone into the cup game at St. James’ Park feeling confident they could repeat the trick. However, Newcastle had other ideas.

They were second best all over the park, giving away possession cheaply in dangerous areas, and lacking in creativity and penetration at the front end. A team completely changed from the weekend, Chelsea “B Squad” failed to match the sharpness shown by their A squad team mates at the weekend.

Enzo Maresca has come under criticism for getting it wrong. It is totally fine to have an apparently separate league team and cup team, a model which Maresca is employing, but to leave Jackson, Caicedo, Lavia, Neto and Sancho out of the squad completely gave Chelsea no plan B should plan A fail.

Although he will likely employ the same strategy against inferior opposition in the Conference League and early rounds of the FA Cup, one hopes that Maresca learns from this experience against similar stature.

Manchester United vs Chelsea Head to Head

Recent meetings:

• 04//04/2024: Chelsea 4-3 Manchester United.
• 06/12/2023: Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea.
• 25/05/2023: Manchester United 4-1 Chelsea.
• 22/10/2022: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United.
• 28/04/2022: Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea

Manchester United vs Chelsea Betting Tip

Chelsea have been the better side in terms of Premier League form this season, with their A-team gelling together nicely.

However, after their win over Leicester, it seems United are set to undergo the “new manager bounce” where results temporarily improve under new leadership. If Van Nistlerooy can get the Red Devils motoring here, Manchester United could get their league season back on track.

That is why we are backing Manchester United to come away with three points here, although Chelsea will push them all the way.

Manchester United vs Chelsea Final Prediction

Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea.

Chelsea always score, that much is for certain, and there will certainly be memories of last season's chaotic, brilliant 4-3 win for Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last season.

However, United will use that painful defeat as motivation for this one, and with the benefit of a new coach and home advantage, they should just about outscore Chelsea here.