Chelsea vs Man Unitedpredicted line-ups, prediction and how to watch

Predicted line-ups, prediction and how to watch for Chelsea vs Man United: everything you need to know before the game.

Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 31, with kick-off at 12.30pm GMT, in Premier League Matchweek 9.

The Blues sit fifth on 13 points from eight games. The Red Devils are 16th on seven points.

Match preview

Xabi Alonso's Chelsea arrive after two setbacks in quick succession. They lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham in the league on October 24, then went out of the Carabao Cup at Anfield on Wednesday, drawing 1-1 before losing on penalties to Liverpool. Alonso said as he left Anfield that his focus had already turned to United.

Before that wobble, the Blues beat Everton 2-0 away and Bournemouth 5-1 at home. They also lost 3-0 at Brentford on September 18.

In the league, Chelsea have scored 17 and conceded 15 in eight games, and the defence is the obvious concern. At Stamford Bridge they have won two, drawn one and lost one, scoring 11 times.

Joao Pedro leads the scoring with five goals, followed by Morgan Rogers on four and Pedro Neto on three.

Manchester United are in a deep slump. They lost 3-0 at home to Bournemouth on October 25, and before that were beaten 4-1 at Como and 2-0 by Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

In the Premier League they drew 1-1 with Leeds and 1-1 with Tottenham. They have not won in their last five matches, and Michael Carrick's position is under scrutiny after the supporters booed the team at Old Trafford.

United have yet to win away in the league, with three draws and one defeat from four trips, scoring four and conceding six. Bryan Mbeumo leads the way with four goals, and Bruno Fernandes has three.

The recent head-to-head favours the visitors. United won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge on April 18, 2026, and 2-1 at Old Trafford in September 2025.

Before that, Chelsea won 1-0 in May 2025, the sides drew 1-1 in November 2024, and the Blues claimed a 4-3 win in April 2024.

Chelsea are fifth in the 20-team table and can move closer to the top four. United are 16th on seven points and need results to climb away from the bottom end. Peter Bankes is the referee.

Team news

Chelsea have a long absentee list. Joao Pedro, their top scorer, misses out with a thigh injury, and Alonso has spoken of a few weeks on the sidelines. Reece James remains out with a knee problem and Emiliano Martinez is sidelined with a broken jaw, so Mike Penders is set to keep goal again.

Cole Palmer returns after serving a one-match suspension for his red card against Tottenham. Caicedo, Chavarria, Gittens and Lacroix are listed as doubts, with Lacroix unlikely to be fit.

United will be without Patrick Dorgu (hamstring), Benjamin Sesko (leg), Luke Shaw and Manuel Ugarte (knee). Marcus Rashford is a doubt with a hip injury.

Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to the XI after being an unused substitute against Bournemouth. Lisandro Martinez is also tipped to come back into the back four.

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