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For both Chelsea and Man United, it has been a devastating week. Now, the two sides are set to battle at Stamford Bridge, and both Peter Crouch and Steve Sidwell have given their predictions.
Xabi Alonso has watched his Chelsea side lose at home to Tottenham and to Liverpool in the Carabao Cup. Joao Pedro has been ruled out for weeks, and on Wednesday, Maxence Lacroix also got injured.
Over at Man United, it is even worse. Somehow, Michael Carrick remains in the job despite dismal results against Como, Bournemouth and 10-man Tottenham, as well as the Bruno Fernandes episode.
READ MORE: Jamie O’Hara orders Estevao to leave Chelsea and finds his situation “upsetting”
Peter Crouch and Steve Sidwell think Chelsea will win on Saturday
Cole Palmer is back on Saturday when Chelsea host Man United in the lunchtime kick-off. It is expected that Fernandes will also play for Man United, but nothing has been confirmed as of the time of writing.
With home advantage, and given the chaotic state Man United are in, Chelsea are favourites going into the match. That’s despite Chelsea fans being nervous with Carrick remaining in charge of United.
On That Peter Crouch Podcast, Crouch backed Chelsea to pick up a win despite mentioning the injuries suffered by Pedro and Emi Martinez, as well as the mistake made by Mike Penders against Tottenham.
What are your early predictions for Chelsea vs Man Utd this weekend? 🔵🔴
I just want Estevao to start
He’s finally in the squad for the Liverpool game tomorrow. I imagine he’ll replace Welbeck with 20 mins to go
Oh is he back from injury? Good news that. Will keep tabs on him 👀
“It was a strange one with Chelsea, mad one. I didn’t see that coming. It will be interesting; at the time of recording, Carrick is still in charge, but if he is still in charge, it is a difficult one to navigate,” Crouch said.
“Especially having fallen out with Bruno. Joao Pedro is injured, Martinez is injured, and the goalkeeper had a howler against Spurs. I don’t like it. You’d expect Chelsea to win. I’m going Chelsea 2-1,” he added.
Former Chelsea man Sidwell followed, underlining the importance: “Big game for Chelsea. I’ve done a couple of draws, and they’ve come in, but I do see this being a draw. But I’m going to go Chelsea 1-0.”
Chelsea’s record against Man United since the 2018 FA Cup final
Saturday’s clash between Chelsea and Man United will be the 20th time the two sides have met since the 2018 FA Cup final. Eden Hazard scored the only goal of the game at Wembley, more than eight years ago.
In the 19 times Chelsea have faced Man United since, the Blues have picked up just three wins. A dismal record against Man United, given United’s fall from grace ever since Sir Alex Ferguson left back in 2013.
A 3-1 win in the FA Cup semi-finals in 19-20, a 4-3 win under Mauricio Pochettino, and a 1-0 victory at the end of the 24-25 season. Man United have won eight times, and the two sides have drawn eight times.
If the result is based on recent history, Chelsea will likely lose, or the game will end in a draw. But for the good of Alonso’s job security, this game has to end in a win, or questions will start to be asked of him.