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Chelsea v Manchester United Preview: Can Mou beat the curse of the returning manager?

Chelsea vs Manchester United Prediction, Odds & Preview ahead of Sunday’s Premier League fixture.

Chelsea vs Manchester United
Premier League 2016/17
23rd October 2016, 16:00 pm BST
Stamford Bridge, London

Chelsea Team News & Preview

Chelsea come into this game on back-to-back comfortable Premier League wins – 2-0 at Hull City before the international break and then the 3-0 thrashing of Leicester City last weekend.  Both of these wins to nil coming after Antonio Conte has switched to a 3-4-3 formation.

John Terry was fit enough to be named among the substitutes last weekend but the Italian manager went with Cesar Azpilicueta alongside David Luiz and Gary Cahill in defence against the champions.  Conte plays two defensive midfielders in front of them in N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic, though both do like to venture forward.

Both of these teams are outside of the top four looking in at the Champions league places but the Blues will certainly have the advantage in this one with United playing twice since their last run out – drawing 0-0 with Liverpool at Anfield on Monday and then thumping Fenerbahce 4-1 in the Europa League on Thursday.

Chelsea have no fresh injuries from last week and should have Willian back too.

Predicted Chelsea Starting Lineup (3-4-3): Thibaut Courtois; Cesar Azpilicueta, David Luiz, Gary Cahill; Willian, N’Golo Kante, Nemanja Matic, Marcos Alonso; Pedro, Diego Costa, Eden Hazard

Manchester United Team News & Preview

Jose Mourinho will have been pleased with his side’s outing on Thursday, putting their Europa League game to bed before half-time as Paul Pogba struck a brace in the first-half to help the Red Devils to a 3-0 lead, going on to win 4-1.

Manchester United’s odds for winning the game improved with most bookmakers after the win against Fenerbahce on Thursday night, but Chelsea will be much tougher opposition and Mourinho won’t have the luxury of experimenting or playing a B team. That means that someone like Mkhitaryan – who could have decided the fate of the game – is unlikley to play.

Chris Smalling was substituted at half-time with a knock midweek but is expected to be ready to start at Stamford Bridge.  If not, Daley Blind is waiting to reunite his partnership with Eric Bailly in the middle of Manchester United’s defence.  Phil Jones is the only player so far confirmed as unavailable through injury.

Predicted Manchester United Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Antonio Valencia, Eric Bailly, Chris Smalling, Luke Shaw; Marouane Fellaini, Juan Mata, Ander Herrera, Marcus Rashford; Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Chelsea vs Manchester United Key Stats

7 – Chelsea are undefeated in their last seven Premier League meetings with Manchester United (W3, D4).

16 – Manchester United have lost more Premier League fixtures against Chelsea than any other side (16).

26 – Zlatan Ibrahimovic has failed to score with his last 26 attempts on goal in the Premier League.

Chelsea vs Manchester United Prediction

With Chelsea defending well of late and Jose Mourinho setting his team up well for a 0-0 at high-scoring Liverpool, does this match have a similar result written over it?

The United boss may fancy his chances against a Chelsea side that were thrashed 3-0 at Arsenal not so long ago.

Whatever you fancy, be sure to check the best UK bookmakers for the best odds on this fixture.

Prediction: Chelsea 0-0 Manchester United

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