Chelsea vs Manchester United: preview
We discuss the predictions for the Chelsea and Manchester United encounter in the context of the ninth round of the 2026/27 Premier League.
The invincible Michael Carrick retains his position as the main coach of "Manchester United" after another significant defeat, but each upcoming fixture could be the last.
Key moments
Chelsea
1. "Chelsea" loses two consecutive matches for the first time in the season
The Habi Alonso squad is hard to describe as stable: the brilliant high‑scoring victories of "Chelsea" alternate with inexplicable point losses, but the derby defeat against "Tottenham" (0:2) remains demoralising, considering the rival’s mediocre state and the local stands. The away League Cup match against "Liverpool" was much better for the Blues: it was a tough clash between two equal rivals and ended naturally with a penalty shoot‑out, in which the hosts at "Anfield" proved slightly luckier.
2. Palmer returns to the field, Pedro remains unavailable
In the cup match against "Liverpool", Habi Alonso did not perform a wide rotation of the squad, giving rest only to full‑back Yorril Hatto, who was left out of the squad, as well as Maxence Lacroix and Levi Colville, who played in central defence for a while each. One of Chelsea’s leaders, Cole Palmer, has recovered from a one‑match suspension and will return to the field, while the top scorer Juan Pedro will miss several more weeks due to injury. Among the first‑team players are also injured goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, and wingers Pep Chavarri and Riss James.
3. Chelsea’s effectiveness at home is good, it’s time to prove it in the game against MU
The unfortunate match against "Tottenham" was not only the first since May in which "Chelsea" failed to score at their own ground, but also the first of the season in which the Blues did not surprise the rival goalkeeper at least twice. "Chelsea" has its accounts with "Manchester United": only twice in the last 12 matches at "Stamford Bridge" have the hosts scored more than one goal against the "Red Devils", and MU’s last visit in April 2026 ended in a narrow defeat.
Manchester United
1. Eight matches without a win: MU in deep depression
If Chelsea’s state can be described as "unstable", what happens at "Manchester United" is close to catastrophe. The "Red Devils" justify the first word of their nickname with an abundance of red cards from defeats, which already total five in the last eight matches. Three more encounters in this stretch ended in draws: points were earned in a month and a half only with "Fulham", "Tottenham" and "Leeds". The last two matches put Michael Carrick on the brink of dismissal: MU was beaten by the Italian "Como" in the Champions League (1:4) and by "Bournemouth" in the Premier League (0:3) with a game lacking will.
2. Fernandes will return to the field, but several key players remain in the recovery room
The only MU player nominated for the last season’s "Ballon d’Or", Bruno Fernandes, watched the match against "Bournemouth" from the bench. This was Michael Carrick’s reaction to the midfielder’s public criticism. However, it is reported that the conflict has been resolved and Fernandes will play against "Chelsea". But the injury situation does not improve: after Manuel Ugarte, Luke Shaw and Benjamín Sheco, the list of injured players in recent weeks has expanded with Patrick Dorgu, Kobby Maine and Marcus Rashford.
3. Michael Carrick stayed in the coaching position, for how long?
To the surprise of many English football fans, Michael Carrick remained in his position after the humiliating defeat to "Bournemouth", but it seems that the club’s board decided to give the coach one last chance while working on selecting his successor among several candidates. It is reported that Carrick held a meeting with players and staff at the club’s headquarters to try to ease tensions and unite everyone in the task of returning to the winning path. However, "Stamford Bridge" is not the most comfortable place to secure the first victory after eight failures.
Approximate lineups
3-4-3-4-2-3-1-39
Penders5
Lacroix6
Colville34
Akimpong14
Henderson25
Kaisedo21
Hatto7
Neto23
Kenda10
Palmer17
Rodgers1
Lammens2
Dalot5
Maguiar6
Martinez3
Mazraoui20
Baleba17
Santos18
Tilleman16
Diallo8
Fernandes19
Mbemo
Trend odds
"Chelsea" won five of their last seven home matches. "MU" lost five of their last eight encounters. P1 to 1.84.
Only in one of the last five matches "Chelsea" and only in one of the last six matches "MU" scored more than three goals. TM(3,5) to 1.60.
Forecast
Chelsea vs Manchester United 31.10.2026 16:30
"Chelsea" in the current season alternates brief moments of success and failure and now the Blues are in a slight decline: the defeat in the derby against "Tottenham" and the exit from the League Cup in a penalty shoot‑out against "Liverpool". However, Habi Alonso generally does not allow his team to fall into a pit, as shown by Chelsea’s reaction to previous defeats, i.e. brilliant and decisive victories at their ground.
"Manchester United" is in a deep crisis: eight matches without a win, three defeats in the last four encounters in all competitions and a total of seven goals conceded to "Como" in the Champions League and to "Bournemouth" in the Premier League. Due to some confusion at the club’s board, Michael Carrick miraculously avoids dismissal, which can be a negative factor, as "Manchester United" needs an immediate emotional shock, but instead the trip to "Stamford Bridge" risks becoming the third consecutive fiasco.
Forecast: 3-0
