The Premier League fixture congestion continues unabated, with the matches coming at a breakneck pace. Saturday brings a very headliner fixture, as it’s always a huge deal when Manchester United and Chelsea FC get together. Two giant, big money clubs with a lot of recent history! So without further ado, let’s preview.
Time to take a look at the team fitness situation, from a Chelsea perspective.
Manchester United at Chelsea FC FYIs
Kick: Sat Oct. 22, 5:30, Stamford Bridge
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea FC Manchester United
Team News: Chelsea FC Manchester United
After Extra Time Pod: Spotify Apple Podcasts
Google Result Probability: Chelsea FC win 46% Draw 26% Manchester United 28%
PL Standing, Form Guide: Chelsea FC 4th, 20 pts, DWWWW Manchester United 5th, 19 pts, WDWLW
Chelsea FC Team News
Conor Gallagher came off after only 15 minutes of action on Wednesday, in the nil-nil draw between Chelsea and Brentford. However, manager Graham Potter revealed, in the post London derby press conference that the midfielder’s withdrawal was illness, and not injury related.
So he is a doubt here while Thiago Silva and Hakim Ziyech could both be in line for major minutes here, after having been passed fit to make the bench in midweek. However, Wesley Fofana (knee) is out long term while Reece James (knee) and N’Golo Kante (thigh) are out until 2023.
Prediction: United 2, Chelsea 1
I really believe in the Red Devils right now- I think Ten Hag is making progress on this rebuild, and they have found some form now.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank and author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” as well as “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He has regularly appeared in WGN, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune, and he co-hosts the After Extra Time podcast, part of Edge of the Crowd Network. Follow him and the website on Twitter and Instagram.