It has already been a huge week of action in the Premier League, both on and off the field. Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool landed important victories, while West Ham dropped down to fourth spot after their loss at Wolves.
However, it was the sacking of Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the weekend, after United went down to a 4-1 defeat to Watford, that gained most column inches in the papers.
Michael Carrick, a former United player and one of Solskjaer’s backroom team, stepped into the void as caretaker manager and made some changes to the first team he selected in a crucial Champions League game in midweek, and he got off to a great start as United secured a place in the knockout stage with a 2-0 win.
Chelsea were doing likewise after a 4-0 thrashing of Juventus, a result which means that Chelsea will likely top the group, assuming they can at least match Juventus result in the final game of the group in a couple of weeks.
The Londoners are top of the Premier league by three points from Manchester City and four ahead of Liverpool in third spot. They also have the best defensive record in the division, conceding just four goals in their 12 games so far.
Before we take a closer look at this game, let’s first take a look at the full weekend of games in the Premier League for Matchday 13.
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Premier League Fixtures – Matchday 13
Saturday 27th November
Kick-off is 3pm unless otherwise stated
- Arsenal v Newcastle United (12.30pm)
- Crystal Palace v Aston Villa
- Liverpool v Southampton
- Norwich City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Brighton v Leeds United (5.30pm)
Sunday 28th November
Kick-off is 2pm unless otherwise stated
- Brentford v Everton
- Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur
- Leicester City v Watford
- Manchester City v West Ham United
- Chelsea v Manchester United
Most of the key action this weeks takes place on Sunday in terms of the top of the Premier League table, though Liverpool will know that nothing less than a win against Southampton will do, given that at least two of their rivals in the top half of the table are likely to drop points in Sunday’s game.
At the foot of the table, Norwich could make it three wins in a row if they can defeat Wolves in what would be a superb start to the Dean Smith era at Carrow Road.
On Sunday, the first big game sees Manchester City, second in the table, taking on a West Ham team that are fourth but who were beaten away at Wolves last week.
Then after that, kicking off at 4.30pm is the big clash from Stamford Bridge as the Premier League leaders Chelsea face Manchester United in what could be a crucial game for both teams.
Here’s why:
Chelsea v Manchester United Preview
Chelsea Season So Far
It has been almost the perfect start to the season for Thomas Tuchel and his Chelsea team. After claiming the Champions League title last season, the Londoners have started this season very well and sit three points clear at the top of the Premier League table.
That solid start has been built on a rock-solid defence that has conceded just four goals in 12 games, the best record in the division. That has allowed a number of Chelsea’s more attacking players to thrive with Mason Mount, Rhys James and Jorginho all enjoying very good seasons so far.
Romelu Lukaku could be fit enough to return to the team to face his former club after he was an unused substitute against Juventus, while Trevor Chalobah’s scoring performance in midweek may see him remain in the team ahead of Anders Christensen.
Ben Chilwell however looks set to miss out with an injury meaning Marcus Alonso will likely come in at left back.
Chelsea have won just one of the last nine against Manchester United, and their last Premier League win came back in November 2017. The two games between the two teams last season both finished as 0-0 draws.
- Chelsea Predicted XI (3-4-2-1) – Mendy, James, Alonso, Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Chalobah, Kante, Jorginho, Mount, Ziyech, Lukaku.
Manchester United Season So Far
If Chelsea have had a great season so far, things have been much more torrid for Manchester United. Despite a solid start, which saw them challenging with the likes of Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool in the early weeks of the season, United have suffered a big loss of form, allied with some unconvincing performances even when they have won.
Given a squad that finished second in the EPL last season saw the likes of Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and Cristiano Ronaldo added to it over the summer, that has not been what was expected of the team.
Their problems started when losing to Young Boys in the Champions League in September, a week later and they suffered two defeats in two games at Old Trafford, losing in the League Cup to West Ham and then at home in the league to Aston Villa.
A fortunate 2-1 win over Villarreal followed but then United drew 1-1 with Everton, lost 4-2 at Leicester and after a narrow win over Atalanta, United lost 5-0 at home to Liverpool. A win at Spurs and a draw in Bergamo against Atalanta was followed by another home loss 2-0 to Man City.
Then after a 4-1 defeat at Watford last weekend, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was fired, with Carrick taking over in the meantime before United appoint either an interim head coach for the rest of the season, or bring in a new manager full time.
Carrick’s first game in charge saw United win 2-0 against Villarreal in Spain to qualify for the Champions League knockout phase, but Sunday’s game at Stamford Bridge looks even more difficult.
Harry Maguire will be suspended for this game after his sending off against Watford.
- Manchester United Predicted XI (4-2-3-1) – De Gea, Wan-Bissaka, Telles, Lindelof, Bailly, McTominay, Fred, Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford, Ronaldo
Chelsea v Manchester United – Tips
Chelsea are a very surprisingly short 11/20 with bet365 Sport to win this game, that is staggering considering that they have only beaten United once in the last nine games. However, that is ample evidence if it were needed of just how well Thomas Tuchel’s team are playing at the moment.
Neither game between these two teams last season produced a goal, but I think there is enough attacking quality on display here to ensure that this does not happen again. I can’t see a rush of goals though, and I think any win may come via the odd goal in three.
For me, Chelsea are the pick but 11/20 is way too short a bet for me to consider for value, so I am taking Chelsea to win and both teams to score which is a 5/2 chance with bet365.
For another bet, you can take Romelu Lukaku to score the opening goal against his former club which is a 3/1 chance with bet365.
