Will Manchester United and Chelsea Serve up a Scary Showdown in Halloween Week?
It is Halloween this coming week, which means a bewitching set of fixtures will once again set the bubbling cauldron of the Premier League alight! Alongside Newcastle facing Arsenal, the big game of the weekend takes place on Sunday afternoon when after a hauntingly bad season, the Red Devils Manchester United will hope to roast Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag’s Nightmare Season So Far
The match could not come at a worse time for United, with the Red Devils enduring one of their most horrifying starts to a season in their history.
The recently sacked Ten Hag’s team were beaten 2-1 at the weekend by West Ham, a controversial late penalty awarded by VAR handing the Hammers the win. A result which leaves United in 14th place in the table.
Furthermore, with just eight goals scored this season, only Crystal Palace and Leicester have scored fewer goals in the Premier League.
With a 21st-place finish in the Europa League, the club had no choice but to change coach and hand over the interim reins to Ten Hag’s former assistant, Manchester United legend Ruud van Nistelrooy.
Chelsea’s Ice-Cold Cole Leads The Way
After a very disappointing season last year, Enzo Maresca came in during the summer and has made a much better start to the season this time around. Chelsea have only lost twice, to Manchester City and Liverpool. They’ve also scored 19 goals, only Manchester City have found the net more often.
Part of that success is the brilliance of midfielder Cole Palmer, who has been in sensational form for the Blues once again. He played a creator’s role in the first goal and then scored the second in Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Newcastle at the weekend.
That win ensured Chelsea would lie fifth in the table after this weekend, six points behind league leaders Manchester City, but just a point off the third and fourth placed Arsenal and Aston Villa.
However, Chelsea have a horrible record at Old Trafford in recent times. They have not beaten United at Old Trafford in the Premier League since a 1-0 win in May 2013.
Team News
Manchester United could be without a number of players for this game. Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Anthony and Kobbie Mainoo are all definitely out. Jonny Evans could be fit to return and there is a slim chance the likes of Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Mason Mount could be included in the squad, although all face a race against time to be fit.
- Man Utd XI (4-2-3-1) – Onana (GK), Dalot (DL), Mazraoui (DR), Martinez (DC), De Ligt (DC), Casemiro (DMC), Eriksen (DMC), Garnacho (AML), Rashford (AMR), Fernandes (AMC), Hojlund (AC)
Chelsea have just one absentee, Omari Kellyman, who is out injured for the longer term. This means Enzo Maresca should have a fit and strong squad to pick from.
- Chelsea XI (4-2-3-1) – Sanchez (GK), Guston (DR), James (DL), Fofana (DC), Colwill (DC), Caicedo (DMC), Lavia (DMC), Madueke (AML), Neto (AMR), Palmer (AMC), Jackson (AC)
Match Prediction
Chelsea’s good away form means the horror-show of a season for Manchester United could continue at Old Trafford this weekend. We reckon Ice-Cold Cole will cool the Red Devils and lead Chelsea to a rare win.
