Chelsea and Manchester United meet in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge on Saturday at 12:30pm.
Both clubs are in need of a win after some rough results over the last few weeks.
For Chelsea, a home defeat to Tottenham Hotspur left supporters frustrated last Saturday afternoon. The Blues have a fine record against their London rivals. This represented only their second ever Premier League defeat to the Lilywhites at Stamford Bridge.
That was followed up with a disappointing EFL Cup exit on penalties at the hands of Liverpool on Wednesday. Xabi Alonso‘s men could still haul themselves back into the top four with a win here however.
For Michael Carrick, pressure is beginning to mount at Manchester United. The Red Devils have now gone eight games without a win in all competitions after the 0-3 home loss to Bournemouth last Sunday afternoon.
United are sitting 16th in the table and if they lose this game, they could end the weekend in the relegation zone if results elsewhere go against them.
Chelsea vs Man Utd team news
Chelsea team news
Chelsea can welcome Cole Palmer back into the fold for Saturday’s match.
The mercurial attacking midfielder missed out on the trip to Anfield through suspension after being shown a red card in the home defeat to Tottenham last time out.
Joao Pedro will miss the next few matches for the Blues with a thigh injury. Morgan Rogers could be expected to fill in as a makeshift striker in his place again.
Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto were both withdrawn at Anfield with knocks. Both however, should be fit to feature this weekend.
Meanwhile longer-term misses Jorrel Hato, Jamie Gittens and Pep Chavarria are all inching closer to fitness. Goalkeeper Emi Martinez is still some weeks away, while Maxence Lacroix will also miss the next few games.
Man Utd team news
Michael Carrick is expected to bring Bruno Fernandes back into the fold after the two held ‘clear the air’ talks in midweek.
The United skipper was left on the bench during the defeat to Bournemouth but is expected to return to the starting XI here.
The United boss still has issues at left-back though with both Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu sidelines. There’s more positive news in midfield though with Kobbie Mainoo back in training after some injury issues.
Marcus Rashford is inching closer to fitness but will likely not be fit in time for this trip. Benjamin Sesko picked up a shin injury this week and will be missing until 2027.
Chelsea vs Man Utd predicted lineups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1): Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill; Neto, Caicedo, Henderson, Hato; Palmer, Estevao; Rogers
Man Utd (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Andrey Santos, Baleba; Diallo, Tielemans, Fernandes; Mbuemo