Chelsea will start as clear favourites to down Manchester United when the teams meet in the round nine Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, 20 October 2018, kick-off at 13h30 CAT.
Chelsea comes into the game placed second on the Premier League log. They are level with leaders Manchester City (and third-placed Liverpool) on 20 points after they racked up a 3-0 away win over Southampton in their last match before the international break.
Goals from Eden Hazard, Ross Barkley and Alvaro Morata continued an unbeaten start to the season for Maurizio Sarri’s side, and they will view this clash as a great chance to take a three-point lead – temporarily at least – at the head of the standings.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are placed a lowly (by their standards) eighth on the log on 13 points, though they did secure a dramatic, come-from-behind 3-2 victory at home to Newcastle United last time out. Goals from Juan Mata, Anthony Martial and Alexis Sanchez took them back to winning form.
The news heading into this match is centred on United manager Jose Mourinho and his future with the club. He will receive a warm welcome from the Stamford Bridge faithful – as he is still held in affection by Blues fans for his two spells with the club – but Chelsea will still be hoping to claim a result which pushes him closer to the exit door at the Red Devils.
Chelsea has an injury worry for central defender Antonio Rudiger after he pulled out of Germany’s UEFA Nations League matches, while United are sweating on Luke Shaw and Nemanja Matic, though Jesse Lingard could return from the treatment room.
In head-to-head terms, Chelsea and United have clashed in 52 Premier League matches. The Blues have claimed 18 wins compared to 15 for the Red Devils, while 19 games have been drawn.
Their most recent meeting was in the final of the FA Cup back in May, with Chelsea claiming a 1-0 win thanks to dangerman Eden Hazard. In addition, United have not won a match at Stamford Bridge since October 2012.
Chelsea v Manchester United – Head-to-Head, Premier League only
Matches played 52
Chelsea wins 18
United wins 15
Draws 19
Last five results – Premier League
| Chelsea | W | D | D | W | W |
| United | W | L | D | W | W |