Chelsea vs Manchester United predictions: Mbeumo to take key role for beleaguered visitors
Steve Davies
Chelsea lost 2-0 at home to Tottenham last weekend
United were thrashed 3-0 at home by Bournemouth on Sunday
The Red Devils begin the weekend just a point above the relegation zone
Manchester United boss Michael Carrick cut a sorry figure when acknowledging fans after last week's horror show against Bournemouth and he could well be waving goodbye to his club this weekend.
Carrick has presided over an eight-game winless streak and if that is extended to nine at Stamford Bridge it will probably be curtains for the former England midfielder.
Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso has had a poor week himself, with a Premier League loss to Tottenham being followed by an EFL Cup exit at the hands of Liverpool, but his problems are nothing compared to Carrick's.
The latest Chelsea vs Manchester United odds are available on LiveScore Bet
Key Stats
Six of the last seven Chelsea/United games at Stamford Bridge have produced under 2.5 goals
United are without a win in eight matches (D3, L5)
Chelsea's six home games this season have produced 30 goals
In six away games in all competitions, United have conceded a total of 13 corners
The Red Devils are averaging more shots per 90 (19.4) than any other side
United’s Bryan Mbeumo has had the third most shots (26) and shots on target (11) in the Premier League this season
Joao Pedro (Chelsea) has five goals and three assists; only Erling Haaland has a better G-A tally of nine
United and Ipswich are the only teams without a Premier League clean sheet
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Score prediction
Team News
Wesley Fofana is set to come in for Maxence Lacroix after the France international limped out of Chelsea's EFL Cup exit at Liverpool on Wednesday.
Mike Penders will continue to deputise for Emi Martinez while Reece James and Joao Pedro both remain out. Cole Palmer returns from a one-game ban.
Kobbie Mainoo could be available after a four-game absence and would surely walk back into the United midfield.
Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu and Benjamin Sesko are out while Michael Carrick has a decision to make over Bruno Fernandes after dropping him last weekend.
Need to know
Chelsea had scored 19 goals in five home games prior to last weekend's 2-0 home loss to Spurs. Twelve of those goals came when Joao Pedro, who missed last week’s defeat, was leading the line. United are on an eight-game winless run and have not triumphed in any of their six away matches this season, either at home or in Europe.
Prediction
It would be very easy to predict another United loss and the end of Carrick's turbulent reign, but Saturday’s visitors should not be discounted.
Chelsea are a million miles from being a title contender themselves right now and this looks like a contest between two sides who have flaws.
The Blues, for example, look so much weaker without Joao Pedro leading the line whereas United should be confident Bryan Mbeumo can be a real handful.
The ex-Brentford flier has four goals to his name and a man who bagged 11 goals and three assists last season can be a thorn in any defence's side.
Chelsea, of course, will be positive, have to create chances and with Cole Palmer back they will be a threat.
United face 4.4 shots on target a game and Chelsea fire off 5.4 shots on target per 90 minutes, so expect Senne Lammens to have to make over 3.5 saves.
The Red Devils must show some fight on Saturday and this fixture can be spiky. The last four meetings between these two have produced 27 cards (6.3 per game) so expect referee Peter Bankes to be busy.
