Chelsea vs Man Utd preview, predictions & team news
On a blockbuster night of Carabao Cup fourth-round action, heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester United collide at Stamford Bridge.
The Blues will be looking to follow up from their 7-1 humbling over Grimsby Town in the previous round when they welcome the Red Devils this evening. Memories of the 4-0 reversal suffered by Man Utd on matchday one of the Premier League will no doubt still be fresh in the mind of Frank Lampard.
For Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, it was back to winning ways in the league on Sunday, but a limp penalty shoot-out victory over Rochdale in round-three will do nothing to exude any sort of confidence from his side for this midweek clash. The Norwegian will, however, be hoping to make it three on the spin when the Red Devils travel to the capital.
Read on for Chelsea vs Man Utd predictions, preview, team news and TV coverage information.
When is Chelsea vs Man Utd and where can I watch live?
Competition: Carabao Cup
Venue: Stamford Bridge
Date: Wednesday, 30 October 2019
Kick-off: 8:05 PM (UK time)
TV coverage (UK): Sky Sports Main Event
Frank Lampard hails Christian Pulisic
Last five meetings: Chelsea vs Man Utd
11 Aug 2019: Man Utd 4-0 Chelsea (Premier League)
28 Apr 2019: Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea (Premier League)
18 Feb 2019: Chelsea 0-2 Man Utd (FA Cup)
20 Oct 2018: Chelsea 2-2 Man Utd (Premier League)
19 May 2018: Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd (FA Cup)
Aggregate Score: Chelsea (LDLDW) 4-9 Man Utd (WDWDL)
Ones to watch
Chelsea: Christian Pulisic
The American superstar has had to bide his time in west London with Lampard keeping the summer recruit limited to sporadic Premier League appearances, but on Saturday he truly announced himself to Chelsea fans, netting a perfect hat-trick as his side brushed past Burnley.
The sumptuous Turf Moor showing came just four days after he played a key role in Chelsea’s 1-0 win over Ajax in the Champions League, coming off the bench to assist Michy Batshuayi’s dramatic late winner in Amsterdam.
Pulisic has looked sharp and threatening in the few appearances he has made so far this season, but he now looks set to show those of a blue persuasion exactly why the club parted with £58m for his services.
Key stat: Christian Pulisic became the youngest Chelsea player to score a Premier League hat-trick over the weekend.
Manchester United: Anthony Martial
There has been no secret made about Man Utd’s impotence going forward, but those recent criticisms were almost dismissively cast aside on Sunday as the Red Devils hit three past strugglers Norwich City, with Martial playing a chief role in that demolition job.
The Frenchman returned to the starting line-up having missed most of this season with a hamstring injury and immediately set about making up for lost time, tearing the Canaries’ defence apart and forming a deadly attacking trident with Marcus Rashford and Daniel James.
Key stat: Martial has registered more take-ons per 90 minutes (4.9) than any Man Utd player in the Premier League this season (five appearances or more).
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praises Frank Lampard’s start at Chelsea
Team news
Chelsea
Frank Lampard has named a relatively young starting XI, with Christian Pulisic continuing in the side after his hat-trick against Burnley. The American is joined by Callum Hudson-Odoi and Michy Batshuayi in attack.
There are also starts for Reece James, Marc Guehi and Billy Gilmour, with the likes of Tammy Abraham and Mason Mount on the bench.
Confirmed XI: Caballero; James, Guehi, Zouma, Alonso; Kovacic, Jorginho, Gilmour; Pulisic, Batshuayi, Hudson-Odoi.
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Man Utd
While Chelsea have handed some opportunities to younger players, Solksjaer have named a strong but defensive side.
The Norwegian has named five defenders, with Harry Maguire joined by Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof, Marcos Rojo and Brandon Williams.
Fred and Jesse Lingard also start, with Daniel James and Marcus Rashford up front. Anthony Martial starts from the bench.
Confirmed XI:Romero; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Rojo, Maguire, Williams; Fred, Lingard, McTominay; James, Rashford.
Squawka prediction
This will be a real test of each manager’s resolve, tactical nous and mental fortitude. It will certainly be interesting to see whether Lampard has learned from his mistakes in the previous encounter; and likewise, whether Solskjaer can mastermind another epic win over the west Londoners.
However, if recent form is anything to go by, then Chelsea look the more resolute and cohesive outfit, with Lampard’s system yielding seven wins on the trot.
The Red Devils have improved across their previous three outings, but the Blues are firing on all cylinders and will be determined to exact revenge. In front of a rousing Stamford Bridge audience, that could very well be the outcome.
Scoreline prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Man Utd
