Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge this lunchtime, looking to arrest a run of back-to-back defeats.
Xabi Alonso’s side lost 0-2 to Tottenham before their EFL Cup campaign ended in a penalty-shootout defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, a result that has seen them slip out of the Premier League’s top four. Chelsea have conceded 15 goals in the league this season, more than every other side inside the top 10, and are shipping an average of two goals per home match. Chelsea have won just three of their last 19 meetings with Manchester United in all competitions, having also lost both fixtures between the sides in the 2025-26 Premier League season.
Chelsea team news
Maxence Lacroix, Moises Caicedo and Malo Gusto were all substituted with issues during the defeat at Anfield. Caicedo and Gusto are expected to be fine for Saturday, but Lacroix has been ruled out for a few weeks with a hamstring problem. He joins Jorrel Hato, Reece James, Joao Pedro, Emiliano Martinez, Aaron Anselmino and Jamie Gittens on the sidelines, though Pep Chavarria may return from injury. No fresh fitness concerns have emerged elsewhere in Alonso’s squad since the Liverpool defeat.
Cole Palmer is available again having served a one-match ban for his red card against Tottenham, and could be deployed as a false nine following Danny Welbeck’s underwhelming display in midweek. Wesley Fofana endured a difficult EFL Cup tie, conceding a penalty before missing his own in the shootout, but is set to come in for the injured Lacroix at the back, with Alonso yet to confirm his final selection.
Chelsea predicted lineup
Chelsea possible starting XI (4-3-3): Penders; Acheampong, Fofana, Colwill, Gusto; Henderson, Lavia, Caicedo; Neto, Palmer, Rogers
When will the match kick off?
The match kicks off at 12:30 BST on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
How to watch Chelsea vs Manchester United?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports in the UK.
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