Match Preview Chelsea vs Manchester United

 

Chelsea and Manchester United meet in the Premier League this weekend, in a tough examination for the new managers in charge of both clubs.

So far, so good for Graham Potter at Chelsea, with the west Londoners unbeaten in seven games across all competitions since his arrival from Brighton.

Five of those fixtures have ended in wins, though a goalless draw at Brentford in midweek brought an end to the club’s winning run. Potter will have been pleased with the defensive record of his team, who secured a fifth consecutive clean sheet against the Bees.

Graham Potter could become the first ever manager in the Premier League era to beat Manchester United twice with two different sides in the same season when the Red Devils come to town on Saturday evening, having already beating them 2-1 with Brighton in August. Potter has made an unbeaten start to life at Stamford Bridge, having won five and drawing two of his seven matches, keeping a clean sheet in each of the last five.

The Blues are unbeaten in their last eight Premier League home games (W5, D3), winning the last three in a row and will be hoping to record their first league win over United since November 2017 when Alvaro Morata scored the winner. 

Brilliant from Ba in #CheMun! 👏 pic.twitter.com/QACvtkImvq

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) October 21, 2022

Erik ten Hag has won three of his four games against ‘Big Six’ sides this campaign, including a comprehensive 2-0 victory over Tottenham at Old Trafford on Wednesday in game that saw the home side record 28 shots, which is the most an Antonio Conte side has ever conceded in a league game throughout his career.

After a run of seven consecutive away defeats, Manchester United have won three of their last four on the road in the Premier League (L1), but will need to overcome a poor record at Stamford Bridge that has seen them win just two of their last 20 Premier League away games against Chelsea (D8 L10), winning 3-2 in October 2012 and 2-0 in February 2020.

Ten Hag’s team have now beaten Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs already this season, though each of those wins have come at Old Trafford. A win on the road against a top-four rival would be further evidence that Ten Hag’s tactics are beginning to improve this side.

Casemiro was brilliant in the win over Spurs in his best performance to date, while Fred shone alongside his compatriot in midfield. However, Christian Eriksen – who was introduced as a substitute against Spurs after illness – could come back in for the latter at Chelsea.

Cristiano Ronaldo will miss the clash after being disciplined for walking down the tunnel before full time in the Spurs clash.

🔊 "When you play top [level] football, sometimes there [are] rumours and noise, but you can't get deflected," Erik adds.

"You have to focus on the job and that is to perform tomorrow." 💪#MUFC || #CHEMUN

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 21, 2022