Chelsea vs Manchester United Betting Preview
October 22, 2016
Kick off: Sunday, October 23, 4:00 PM GMT
Venue: Stamford Bridge (London)
Head to head record
Chelsea vs Manchester United 1-1 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Manchester United vs Chelsea 0-0 (2015/2016 Premier League)
Chelsea vs Manchester United 1-0 (2014/2015 Premier League)
Chelsea vs Manchester United 3-1 (2014/2015 Premier League)
Manchester United vs Chelsea 0-0 (2013/2014 Premier League)
Chelsea vs Manchester United prediction
Chelsea will be looking to build on a routine 3-0 win over Leicester City when they welcome Manchester United at their Stamford Bridge on Sunday. The Red Devils aim to keep their title hopes alive and it remains to be seen if Jose Mourinho is capable of defeating his former club.
Signs of improvement
Chelsea were struggling in the Premier League in September, but they did well to make amends for back-to-back defeats to the likes of Liverpool and Arsenal. The Blues outplayed Hull City and Leicester City in previous two league fixtures and, as a result, they melted Manchester City’s advantage to three points in the Premier League standings. Antonio Conte’s men regained a much-needed confidence and they will be looking to extend their winning run in the league when they host Manchester United at their Stamford Bridge on Matchday 9. Diego Costa has been producing scintillating performances this season and, to make things even better for the fans, Eden Hazard impressed in the 3-0 win over Leicester City. The duo is likely to make life for the opposition defenders in Sunday’s Premier League derby and it remains to be seen if they are going to help the capital club record their fourth home win of the season.
John Terry, Kurt Zouma and Willian are all out of contention with injury, but there are no suspended players in the home team. Pedro is likely to keep his place in the starting XI.
Jose’s “bus” is back
Manchester United have been playing above expectations in the 2016/2017 Premier League season. The Red Devils have been struggling to find their best form, but they gave fans some cheer in midweek, with the team rolling over Fenerbahce (4-1) in the Europa League. Paul Pogba produced probably his best performance of the season on Thursday evening and, no doubt, fans have faith in the former Juventus superstar. Manchester United played out a goalless draw with Liverpool at Anfield on Monday evening, with Jose Mourinho adopting a defence-minded approach in the Premier League derby. The “Special One” is likely to stick to his defensive style of play in Sunday’s showdown against Chelsea, but it remains to be seen if the Red Devils are capable of keeping yet another clean sheet. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was rested in the Europa League clash against Fenerbahce, but the Swedish ace is likely to lead the line for the visitors against Chelsea.
Phil Jones is sidelined with injury, while fellow defender Chris Smalling is a major doubt and he will be assessed on the match day. Summer signing Henrikh Mkhitaryan is unlikely to be risked against Chelsea.
Interesting facts
- Under 2.5 goals were scored in previous four meetings between Chelsea and Man Utd
- Man Utd recorded their last win at Stamford Bridge back in 2012
- Chelsea scored in 14 of their last 15 home games in the Premier League
- Red Devils failed to keep a clean sheet in four of their last five league fixtures
- In their last meeting at Stamford Bridge the two teams shared the spoils (1-1)
Chelsea vs Manchester United betting pick
Chelsea and Manchester United seem to be evenly matched at the moment and a close encounter is on the horizon. As I have already said, Jose Mourinho is likely to “park the bus” in front of Chelsea’s goal in Sunday’s derby and seeing that Antonio Conte’s men are eyeing their third consecutive clean sheet in the English top flight, under 2.5 goals should be scored in the Stamford Bridge clash.
Pick: Under 2.5 goals
Odds: 3/4
