After another damaging defeat, Manchester United face a third member of the traditional ‘big six’ in their first five Premier League outings as Chelsea visit Old Trafford.
Match News and Current Form
Pressure is really starting to build on Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim, with speculation growing that his exit is being lined up for the October international break should results not improve. That comes as no surprise given that Amorim has seen his side earn just 31 points from as many Premier League matches under his leadership, with a 3-0 thrashing in last week’s Manchester derby another reminder of how far they’ve fallen behind their rivals. Another defeat here could therefore be fatal, but his side have at least won two of their last three home league games (L1), as many as they managed in their previous 11 such fixtures (D2, L7).
Chelsea suffered their first defeat of the campaign when going down 3-1 to Bayern Munich in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday, and with that result coming on the back of a disappointing 2-2 draw at Brentford, the Blues will be desperate to bounce back here. Boss Enzo Maresca challenged his players to “build something special” from their Bayern defeat as his side prepare to leave London for a Premier League game for the first time this season. They’ve certainly been comfortable on the road domestically, where they’ve been beaten in just one of their last six league outings (W3, D2).
Head-to-Head History
This is the most drawn fixture in Premier League history, with 14 of the whopping 27 stalemates between the pair coming at Old Trafford. United are unbeaten in the last 12 league meetings on their own turf (W5, D7), but could lose back-to-back H2Hs at any venue for the first time since 2011 here.
Hot Stats and Streaks
United have taken 94 shots across their last four home league games, but scored just five times.
Each of United’s last three games have featured over 2.5 goals.
No side took more corners across the first four Premier League rounds than Chelsea’s 28.
The half-time result has been replicated at full-time in four of Chelsea’s five games this season.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
United’s Bryan Mbeumo has directly contributed to six goals in seven Premier League games against Chelsea (G3, A3), yet none of them were in home games. Moisés Caicedo netted Chelsea’s equaliser in last season’s corresponding fixture, with that starting a streak of his last four Blues goals coming away from Stamford Bridge.
United were without Diogo Dalot, Mason Mount and Matheus Cunha for last week’s defeat, while Chelsea don’t appear to have any new injuries but remain without the likes of Liam Delap.
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Betting Analysis
United’s growing fragility means that backing Chelsea to win in the league at Old Trafford for the first time since May 2013 could be a risk worth taking.
Author: Ryan Fisher