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Having been beaten home and away by Manchester United last season, Chelsea are seeking to avoid three successive league defeats in this fixture for the first time since 1965. The Blues have won only two of their last ten home games against the Red Devils, winning just two.
So, ahead of this unmissable Premier League clash, check out our preview, predictions, team news and TV info.
Country |
Broadcaster(s) |
|---|---|
UK & Ireland |
TNT Sports and HBO Max |
United States |
USA Network and Telemundo |
Canada |
Fubo Sports Network Canada |
Australia |
Stan Sport |
Africa |
SuperSport MaXimo 2 |
South America |
Disney+ |
Central America |
Max |
Arab world |
beIN Sports 1 |
Portugal and Spain |
DAZN1 |
France |
Canal+ Live 6 |
New Zealand, Germany, Italy, Austria and Switzerland |
Sky Sport Premier League |
The Premier League's two crisis clubs, that might be a bit of a stretch for Chelsea, go head-to-head at Stamford Bridge in a fascinating fixture on Saturday lunchtime. Currently sat fifth in the table, it is probably inaccurate to label Chelsea a crisis club, but it has inarguably been a disastrous week.
Last Saturday, the Blues were beaten at the Bridge by fierce rivals Tottenham for just the second time in 36 years old. More than the result, fans were most angered by the lifeless and lacklustre display put in by Xabi Alonso's side in such a big London derby.
Then, on Wednesday night, Chelsea were dumped out of the Carabao Cup by Liverpool. The tie was decided on penalties at Anfield, with Valentín Barco thwacking the post and then Emmanuel Emegha seeing his attempt saved, when scoring would've sent his team through, before Wesley Fofana skied his attempt high into the Kop and that was all she wrote.
With no European competition, the EFL Cup should have carried extra importance, but that is now gone. This exit merely ramps up the pressure on Alonso to deliver a victory in this league fixture.
In the opposition dugout will be Michael Carrick, to the surprise of many. Manchester United's 3-0 demolition at the hands of Bournemouth last weekend felt like the end, coming just days after they were destroyed by Como at Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia in the Champions League.
Nevertheless, despite being without a win in eight, Carrick lives to fight another day. Across 12 matches this season, the Red Devils have only beaten Ipswich and Sabah, so currently sit one point above the relegation zone. Thus, Man United should be there for the taking, so will Chelsea prove too strong, or can Carrick claim a victory that might just save his job?
Cole Palmer's red card against Tottenham meant he missed the EFL Cup tie suspended, but can return here. In goal though, Emi Martínez remains sidelined due to a broken jaw, so Mike Penders will continue to deputise.
Elsewhere, Pep Chavarría, Reece James and João Pedro all remain sidelined, the latter a massive blow, but unlike last weekend Danny Welbeck will deputise in attack. Levi Colwill will return in defence, while fans are desperate to see Estêvão Willian.
The Brazilian suffered a serious hamstring injury when Man United last visited in April, but seemingly is not in Alonso's plans, his longest league appearance of the season an 18 minute cameo, not featuring at all at Anfield.
Unlike his opposite number, Michael Carrick has had a week to work on the training ground, so can that help his cause? It was confirmed this week that Benjamin Šeško's shin injury will see him sidelined until January, while Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are also out, albeit Kobbie Mainoo is nearing a return.
Elsewhere, having been left on the naughty step against Bournemouth, Bruno Fernandes will return, while Lisandro Martínez and Matheus Cunha will also both be back in the lineup. Andrey Santos will take on the club he left in the summer.
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