Chelsea face Manchester United in a crunch Premier League Matchday 9 clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, October 31 2026.
The two teams renew rivalry in a low-key matchup as struggling United hope to turn things around against the Blues, who are looking to return to winning ways.
Teams’ Form And Recent Performances
Chelsea
Chelsea have had a mixed start to the 2026/27 season having won six, lost four and drawn one of their matches so far this season.
Three of the Blues’ four defeats have all come against their London rivals – Arsenal, Brentford and Tottenham Hotspur – with the other coming in midweek against Liverpool in the Carabao Cup fourth round.
Xabi Alonso’s side played out a 1-1 draw against Liverpool in regulation time before losing 6-5 on penalties off the back of a stunning 2-0 loss to Tottenham over the weekend which saw the Blues slipped outside the top-four.
Man United
Man United have been very disappointing so far having won just two of their 12 matches.
The Red Devils are currently on an eight-game winless run, losing five within the period which included a 4-1 loss away to Como in the UEFA Champions League and an embarrassing 3-0 defeat at home to Bournemouth last weekend.
Rayan, Marcus Tavernier and Evanilson were all on the scoresheet as the Cherries condemned United to their sixth defeat in all competitions, leaving them in 16th place in the Premier League standings and piling more pressure on under-fire manager, Michael Carrick.
Man United will be looking to avoid another unwanted record as they visit Chelsea hoping to turn the tides and record their first win in 51 days.
Head-To-Head Statistics
Chelsea and Man United have met on 195 occasions with the Red Devils claiming 83 victories to the Blues’ 57 while 55 matches have ended in draws.
Chelsea have won just two of their last 17 Premier League games against United with both victories coming at Stamford Bridge (4-3 in 2023/24 and 1-0 in the following campaign).
The Red Devils secured home-and-away wins against the Blues last term. Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro’s strikes in the first half gave the Manchester giants a 2-1 victory in the first leg after Chelsea, who pulled one back through Trevoh Chalobah in the 80th minute, saw goalkeeper Robert Sanchez sent off very early in the encounter.
Man United travelled to west-London for the second leg and returned with a 1-0 win following Matheus Cunha’s 43rd minute winner.
Also Read: ‘Worst Way To Lose’ –Rogers Heartbroken After Chelsea Exit From Carabao Cup
The 20-time English top-flight champions will be out for three straight league wins against the Blues for the first time since 1965/66 season.
Key Players Analysis
CHELSEA
Morgan Rogers
Rogers has been a bright spark for Chelsea following his record £117 million transfer move from Aston Villa. The England international has scored four goals and provided four assists.
Rogers is a powerful, dynamic attacking midfielder and inside forward who excels at breaking lines through raw athleticism and direct running.
The 24-year-old scored a brace against Man United last year while he was donning the colours of Villa.
Cole Palmer
Palmer has re-emerged as one of Chelsea’s key players after overcoming injury and fitness issues which hampered him throughout last season. The Manchester City academy product has netted four goals and delivered three assists to his teammates.
The 24-year-old plays as an attacking midfielder or wide playmaker, who excels at controlling the tempo in tight half-spaces with a keen eye for goals.
MAN UNITED
Bryan Mbeumo
Mbeumo is arguably United’s best player so far this season having scored four goals and provided an assist.
The 27-year-old is a pacy, versatile and direct forward who excels at quick transitions, intelligent off-the-ball movement, and clinical finishing.
Chelsea will be wary of Mbuemo’s threat owing to his three goals and as many assists in the last five Premier League games against them.
Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes is way off his usual standards, albeit has been decent in front of goal having also plundered four goals and gave an assist.
The 32-year-old Portuguese star enjoys playing against Chelsea as he has five goals and two assists against them.
Fernandes is a direct, high-risk and energetic playmaker who dictates the rhythm of the game through elite vision and relentless movement with a keen eye for goals.
Team News
Chelsea
Chelsea will be without Joao Pedro for this encounter after sustaining a thigh injury in training. The Brazilian forward, who could be out until late November is set to be replaced by former Man United star Danny Welbeck in the starting line-up.
Emiliano Martínez, the team’s first-choice goalkeeper, is currently out due to a facial injury, while captain Reece James will not be returning this year.
Maxence Lacroix limped off at Anfield on Wednesday with what appeared to be a hamstring injury.
Palmer served his one-match suspension in the Blues’ Carabao Cup loss to Liverpool and is poised for a comeback.
Man United
Bruno Fernandes is expected to return to the team after Carrick dropped the Portuguese for “pure football” reasons in the defeat to Bournemouth last weekend after he appeared to criticise his manager’s tactics in Como.
United have plenty of absentees as they are set to be without Patrick Dorgu, Luke Shaw, Benjamin Sesko and Manual Ugarte.
Kobbie Mainoo is back in training and could be in contention. Marcus Rashford is another player who could be fit for this clash should he pass a late fitness test but will likely start from the bench.
Possible Starting Line-Ups
Chelsea (4-2-3-1):
Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Hato; Henderson, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Rogers; Welbeck
Man United (4-2-3-1):
Lammens; Yoro, Maguire, Martínez, Dalot; Mainoo, Baleba; Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo
By Habeeb Kuranga
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