Chelsea Form and Squad
Chelsea have not improved without Enzo Maresca. At least under the Italian there were no three consecutive defeats to nil, as there are now. A heavy loss to Manchester City (0:3) is still understandable, although immediately after the farewell to Enzo they drew with them (1:1). However, a defeat by the same score against Everton alarmed the supporters of the home side much more: now Everton are direct rivals of the London club for a place in the Europa League. Even a draw with Manchester United would threaten to leave the hosts outside the Champions League top five. This is a direct consequence of the absence of Enzo Fernandez, who received an internal suspension for an ill-judged comment.
- In the last 12 meetings at Stamford Bridge Chelsea have lost to Manchester United only once (six wins, five draws).
- The last time Chelsea lost four league matches in a row was in April–May 2023 under Frank Lampard.
- Chelsea complete the top three of the most ill-disciplined teams and are clear leaders for red cards (seven).
- Eight of their last 10 matches in the Premier League have finished over 2.5 goals.
Potential Chelsea Lineup (4-2-3-1): Robert Sanchez — Malo Gusto, Wesley Fofana, Jorrel Hato, Marc Cucurella — Moises Caicedo, Andrey Santos — Cole Palmer, Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto — Joao Pedro.
Out: Trevoh Chalobah, Reece James, Jamie Bynoe-Gittens, Filip Jorgensen, Levi Colwill are injured.
Manchester United Form and Squad
Despite an unexpected defeat to Leeds United in the last round, Manchester United have kept hold of third place in the table. However, they no longer have a cushion over Aston Villa in terms of points, only a goal difference that is seven better. The last month and a half has not been the most successful spell for Michael Carrick's side. Over the previous four rounds they have only one win, albeit an important one: they managed to pull slightly clear of Aston Villa thanks to a victory over them (3:1). That was one of five high-scoring matches since the start of spring. There were no exceptions.
- There has been a sending-off in four of the last five rounds.
- In 13 Premier League matches in 2026 Manchester United have kept three clean sheets, and in only one of their 17 away games this season have they avoided conceding.
- The visitors have already scored 16 goals from set pieces in the league (second-best record), while the London side have conceded 15 (fourth-worst).
- Manchester United are the best in the league both for shots per game (16) and shots on target (5.8).
- Their weakest spell is the first 15 minutes, when they have conceded more (five) than they have scored (four). In all other periods they are in the black.
Potential Manchester United Lineup (4-2-3-1): Senne Lammens — Diogo Dalot, Leny Yoro, Aidan Heaven, Luke Shaw — Casemiro, Manuel Ugarte — Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Matheus Cunha — Benjamin Sesko.
Out: Kobbie Mainoo, Patrick Dorgu, Matthijs de Ligt are injured; Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire are suspended.
