This game should be a great top of the table clash between two clubs who will want to close the gap on Manchester City over the coming weeks. Manchester United currently have a four point advantage over Chelsea who are in 4th in the Premier League, but both need to do some work to catch up to Manchester City at the top.
We have seen a more expansive Manchester United this season and that should make this a very good game, I don’t expect them to come and play defensively, I think they will come with the intention of winning the game. Chelsea lost a couple of games recently, but have won their last two and would love another here to really give them a confidence boost going forward into what is a busy period for them.
Premier League – Stamford Bridge, London – Sunday 5th November – 16:30 UK Time
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Draw Best Odd of: 21/10 at Skybet |
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Chelsea
Manchester UnitedChelsea Form
The start to Chelsea’s title defence has been a little disappointing so far, they have lost three games already. That means they are nine points behind Manchester City, a big gap even at this stage and they can’t afford to lose many of their remaining home games if they are to catch them. It is games like this one where the title can be won and lost, a loss here for Chelsea and a win for Manchester City in there game would create a 12 point gap between the teams, very big even at this stage.
Chelsea battled to win 1-0 against Bournemouth last weekend although they would have liked to have seen more from their front three of Morata, Hazard and Pedro. Those three really need to click and score a lot of goals if Chelsea are going to challenge for the title, and there is no better place to start than in a game against one of their big rivals.
Manchester United Form
Manchester United lost their first game of the season two weeks ago, when they were surprisingly beaten by newly promoted Huddersfield. They have drawn with Liverpool and beaten Tottenham in the two games around that loss and need to pick up their game if they are to get something from Stamford Bridge. Overall United have been in excellent form at both ends of the field, they have the second best goal scoring record behind Manchester City and the best defensive record conceding just four goals. If those two continue to shine then they are going to continue to do very well and look sure of a top four finish, but they need to find a way to beat their rivals if they are to challenge Manchester City.
While it is required they have a good record overall, the games against their fellow top four rivals will decide if Unite are good enough to challenge for the top spot. A win away at Chelsea would not just be three points for United, it would also send out a message that they are capable of beating their rivals away from home.
Team News
This game looks like it will come down to a battle between the two front three’s that these two clubs have and I am expecting to see Anthony Martial rejoin the Manchester United starting line-up after his goal last weekend. If that is the case that would put Martial, Marcus Rashford and Romelu Lukaku up against Alvaro Morata, Edin Hazard and Pedro in what is a mouth-watering clash. Both teams will have to be good defensively to stop the other team from scoring, although I expect we will see many scoring chances and goals in the game.
Top Betting Tips
This looks to be an exceptionally close game that could go either way and it is nearly impossible to predict who will win. However, looking at the prices on offer there is only one bet for me and that is to back Manchester United to win the game, they are priced up at 11/5 with Ladbrokes and William Hill to win the clash on Sunday.
I don’t think there is much to separate these two teams this season and that makes Manchester United a fair price in the game. They have the best defensive record in the league and a top three that is capable of causing problems for Chelsea. In what should be a very close game between two top sides, I am going to back Manchester United to win the game and hope that they can find a way to break down Chelsea, despite being away from home.