Manchester United v Chelsea | Sunday 3 November | Old Trafford | 18:30
Manchester United decided to part ways with Erik ten Hag earlier this week, and at the time of writing, are still on the hunt for a permanent replacement. Does that ‘new manager bounce’ still apply to interim coaches?
Chelsea is in form at the moment, but their record at Old Trafford is putrid, to say the least…they will no doubt be looking to usher in a change of fortune when they travel on Sunday!
To Win (90 mins)
Manchester United 16/10
Draw 9/4
Liverpool 13/10
Manchester United
This season has been pretty much all about whether Manchester United can turn up on matchday. Yes, at times it has been incredibly difficult to identify the approach they are trying to adopt. Yes, at times it has been frustrating to see them at odds and ends when it comes to their defensive system. However, they have at times registered performances which are just simply players not pitching up. Enter West Ham United!
United were brilliant in the second half against Brentford and consolidated that with an electric first 45-minute performance against West Ham. The reality, however, was they just couldn’t do it for 90 minutes.
The inconsistency in that team wouldn’t give you confidence to back them against anyone, let alone against a Chelsea side who have started to string positive performance, after positive performance, together.
I really don’t know how this game will go. The quality in this squad is unmatched, but their recent performances say otherwise.
Chelsea
I am being made to eat humble pie with this Chelsea side. I mean, I still think they are often too reliant on Cole Palmer, but the quality in their attacking ranks is supreme. Their manager faced a lot of scepticism when he came into the job, and yet he’s solidified an approach that has the total buy-in of all of the players and fans.
Chelsea was made to look vulnerable – and ended up losing the game – against Liverpool when Palmer didn’t play at his best. If that is the case come Sunday, does it mean United could come away with something? I certainly hope so, but I doubt it.
Chelsea will want to get into full flow as quickly as possible, silence the crowd and add to the pressure that already surrounds Old Trafford. If they do that, I can’t see them heading back to London empty-handed.
Prediction: Chelsea win/draw + BTTS (1/1)
I can’t see either side keeping a clean sheet to be fair, so for the less aggressive amongst us – backing both teams to score could be good enough for the weekend multiple.
Of course, I hope United are able to register a performance worthy of well anything, but I really can’t see Chelsea losing. They have belief, they are in fine form and given their attacking fluidity and United’s struggles, I think it becomes a bit of a no-brainer.
Ryan Liberty