Chelsea vs Man Utd Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Xabi Alonso heads into this weekend under a bit of pressure and the same can very much be said for Michael Carrick, who does remain in charge at Manchester United.

Kick-off date/time: 31 October 2026 at 12:30 pm

How to watch on TV & online: UK – TNT Sports & HBO Max / USA – USA Network & Telemundo

Chelsea preview: Tough week

After suffering just their second lost at home to Tottenham Hotspur in 36 years last weekend, Xabi Alonso returned to Anfield in midweek and oversaw his strong Chelsea side succumb to a penalty shootout loss to a rotated Liverpool in the EFL Cup.

Without any European football, Chelsea would have anticipated going deep in both cup competitions and so that elimination will only serve to frustrate supporters even more after a tough and inconsistent start to the campaign for The Blues.

Man Utd preview: Carrick in charge

After their 3-0 hammering at the hands of AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford last week, there were suggestions Michael Carrick would be sacked after seemingly a farewell from supporters but crisis talks have ended with him still in charge for the time being.

How long Carrick will remain in charge for remains to be seen after a disastrous start to the campaign in which Manchester United have managed just two victories in their 12 matches across all competitions so far this season.

Chelsea team news: Several issues

Cole Palmer was fortunate not to be sent off for a straight red last week but did eventually pick up a second yellow card against Spurs. However, he was able to serve his suspension against Liverpool in midweek.

Chelsea had been without both Palmer and fellow attacker Joao Pedro for that one with the Brazilian remaining an injury absentee alongside club captain Reece James and goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.

Further details will appear here following pre-match press conferences…

Predicted XI (3-4-2-1): Penders; Acheampong, Lacroix, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo, Henderson, Hato; Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck

Unavailable: Martinez (Injured), James (Injured), Joao Pedro (Injured)

Questionable: Chavarria (Injured), Gittens (Injured)

Man Utd team news: The Bruno debate

United captain Bruno Fernandes was an unused substitute last week after his outspoken criticism of Carrick’s tactics in a 4-1 loss to Como but there has apparently been a meeting between the pair and so the Portugal international may well return to the eleven. Lisandro Martinez also came off the bench but may also come back in.

Marcus Rashford remains a doubt after recent injury issues, while key injury absentees include his international teammates Luke Shaw and Kobbie Mainoo, as well as striker Benjamin Sesko.

Further details will appear here following pre-match press conferences…

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Tielemans, Baleba; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo

Unavailable: Shaw (Injured), Dorgu (Injured), Ugarte (Injured), Mainoo (Injured), Sesko (Injured)

Questionable: Rashford (Injured)

Key stats

• This is the most-drawn fixture in Premier League history since 1992/93: 27 of the 68 meetings between Chelsea and Man Utd have finished level, with Chelsea winning 20 and Man Utd 21. 
• Man Utd have won the last two meetings, 2-1 at Old Trafford on 20 September 2025 and 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on 18 April 2026. 
• That 1-0 win was Man Utd's first at Stamford Bridge since a 2-0 victory on 17 February 2020; Chelsea's home Premier League record against them is W14 D13 L7. 
• The fixture produced five successive Premier League draws between October 2020 and October 2022. 
• Chelsea's biggest Premier League win over Man Utd is 5-0 at Stamford Bridge on 3 October 1999; Man Utd's biggest is 4-0 at Old Trafford on 11 August 2019. 
• Man Utd's seven points from eight games coming into Matchweek 9 is their lowest tally at this stage in any of their 35 Premier League seasons since 1992/93 – the previous low was nine in 2019/20. 
• Man Utd are 16th, winless in six league games (D4 L2) since 6 September, and have conceded in all eight of their league games this season. 
• Man Utd have drawn their last three away league games (2-2 at Everton, 1-1 at Fulham and 1-1 at Leeds) but have not won away this season (D3 L1). 
• Chelsea are fifth coming into Matchweek 9 with 13 points (W4 D1 L3), six more than Man Utd, but lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham last time out. 
• Chelsea's league games have averaged 4.00 goals this season, the highest of any Premier League side, with 19 goals in their four home games. 
• Chelsea have conceded in 12 consecutive home league games since 31 January 2026; their last home clean sheet was a 2-0 win over Brentford on 17 January 2026. 
• Peter Bankes refereed Man Utd's 2-1 home win over Chelsea in September 2025. Man Utd have won only three of their 11 Premier League games under him (D2 L6) and have never won away with him in charge (D2 L3 in five), while Chelsea have won six of 12 (D3 L3). 

'Key stats' are Premier League only (not all competitions)

Chelsea vs Man Utd prediction

Chelsea had been an entertaining watch before the international break but they were undermined by some defensive limitations. They have been a little better at the back since the break but lacked any real potency against Spurs or Liverpool in the last week. They face a United side, though, that have been a mess for a while and, bar Carrick and Bruno Fernandes having a chat, it doesn’t appear as though anything has or will change and so siding with the hosts remains the way to go for this one at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea vs Man Utd tip: Chelsea to win