Prediction: Manchester United vs Chelsea

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster

In what promises to be a heavyweight Premier League showdown from Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, Manchester United will meet Chelsea.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, while Ruben Amorim’s arrival at Old Trafford might not have been made official just yet, the Red Devils are set to get a new era underway. Falling to what was a controversial 2-1 loss away at West Ham last weekend, that result in east London was enough to cost Erik ten Hag his job. With Ruud van Nistelrooy set to once again take charge on an interim basis here, United will be looking to use their EFL Cup success as a platform to build on. Booking their quarter-final ticket thanks to a 5-2 romp against Leicester, the Red Devils are now desperate to find some much-needed Premier League stability. Winning just a trio of their first nine top-flight appearances so far this season and currently scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the table, Sunday’s hosts have also broken a string of unwanted records.

Team News

Suffering a reported injury set back over the past week, Manchester United will once again be without England international Luke Shaw on Sunday afternoon. Hit with an ankle blow during a brief cameo appearance away at Fenerbahce last week, Brazilian winger Antony remains on the sidelines and will not feature at Old Trafford.

Yet to make a single appearance over the past month, ex-Chelsea star Mason Mount remains a doubt here. Handed an EFL Cup rest against Leicester earlier in the week, Rasmus Hojlund should be handed a full recall and lead United’s attack.

Chelsea

As for the visitors, watching their EFL Cup adventure come to an end on Wednesday night as they fell to a 2-0 loss away at Newcastle, Chelsea will be seeking an immediate response here. Nevertheless, despite their toothless performance at St. James’ Park, the Blues have continued to shine since Enzo Maresca’s arrival over the summer. With some even tipping Sunday’s guests as a potential title dark horse this season, the west London outfit will be looking to collect a heavyweight scalp here. Although Chelsea might have marked their return from October’s international break with a 2-1 defeat against Liverpool, that is the only loss that they have suffered from any of their previous eight Premier League appearances. Claiming a remarkable 4-3 victory when they last met their historic rivals back on April 4th, the ex-Leicester boss will be calling on a repeat performance this weekend.

Team News

Heading into Sunday’s trip to Old Trafford, Chelsea have reported a clean bill of health and have no fresh concerns. All handed an EFL Cup rest at St. James’ Park on Wednesday night, Maresca will welcome back the likes of Noni Madueke, Moises Caideco, Levi Colwill and skipper Reece James.

Once again finding the net against Newcastle last weekend and registering a seventh Premier League strike of the season, attacking talisman Cole Palmer will play a leading role. Despite speculation over his spot between the sticks, Spanish shot-stopper Robert Sanchez will start between the sticks.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester United and Chelsea last met back on April 4th, the Blues collected a sensational 4-3 win at Stamford Bridge.
• Despite their EFL Cup exit at St. James’ Park in midweek, Chelsea have suffered just a single loss from any of their last eight Premier League appearances.
• Manchester United have recorded just a trio of wins from any of their first nine Premier League showdowns so far this season.
• The Reds have registered just a sole clean sheet from any of their last eight appearances across all competitions.
• Each of the last six Premier League meetings between Manchester United and Chelsea have finished with both teams finding the net.

Conclusion

In a showdown between two Premier League giants on Sunday afternoon, we could be treated to a real thriller from Old Trafford. With the historic rivals playing out a seven-goal thriller when they last met at Stamford Bridge on April 4th, Manchester United and Chelsea have a habit of producing fireworks when they meet. Two camps who have shown their own respective defensive issues this season, we are expecting chances to come thick and fast this weekend.

Verdict: Goal to be scored in both halves

Best Odds: 3/5

Bookmaker: Luckster