Tonight at 7:30pm EAT (5:30pm BST), Manchester United host Chelsea at Old Trafford in a Premier League blockbuster.

Both clubs aim to overcome last season’s struggles, with the table taking shape after four games. United have home advantage, but Chelsea are in form. Let’s dive in.

Prediction sites lean toward Chelsea. Sports Illustrated predicts a 1-2 Chelsea win, citing United’s shaky defense and Chelsea’s sharp attack.

FOX Sports sees a 2-1 Chelsea victory, while CBS Sports lists Chelsea as +145 favorites, with over/under at 2.5 goals, suggesting a high-scoring game.

DraftKings offers a Chelsea 2-1 bet, and Racing Post backs Chelsea at 6-4.

SportsGambler notes a draw is possible, given United’s home record. Action Network lists Chelsea at +140 but highlights United’s home form.

Chelsea are favored, but it’s close.

Head-to-Head

These matches are rarely dull. Chelsea won three of the last five, with one draw and a United win. Chelsea’s 1-0 victory in May 2025 via Cole Palmer and a 4-3 thriller in April 2024 stand out.

United’s 2-1 win in October 2023 shows their potential.

United are unbeaten in 12 of their last 13 home games vs Chelsea (last loss 2013), giving fans hope, but Chelsea have scored twice in four of the last five, pointing to an open game.

Season So Far

United started with a 0-1 loss to Arsenal (Calafiori header exposed defensive issues), drew 1-1 at Fulham (Yoro/Muniz own goal, Smith Rowe equalizer), won 3-2 vs Burnley in a dramatic late show, but a 0-3 loss to Man City on September 14th highlighted ongoing defensive woes, leaving them mid-table with 4 points from 4 games. Their attack is still gelling.

Chelsea, with 7 points, drew 0-0 vs Crystal Palace, thrashed West Ham 5-1 (João Pedro hat-trick), beat Fulham 3-1, and drew 1-1 at Brentford after conceding late. Enzo Maresca has them in the top six, looking clinical.

Chelsea in Europe

Chelsea’s Champions League campaign began with a 1-3 loss to Bayern Munich on September 17th, with Palmer scoring late.

They face Benfica next on September 30th. Maresca called it a learning curve. United, out of Europe, focus on domestic competitions.

Squad Updates

United’s Lisandro Martínez is out until 2026 with an ACL injury, and Diogo Dalot is doubtful (fitness test pending). Matheus Cunha and Mason Mount are back, adding spark.

New signings Matheus Cunha (£60m from Wolves), Bryan Mbeumo (£60m from Brentford), and Benjamin Šeško (£50m from Leipzig) bolster the squad, though they’re adapting.

Chelsea’s Levi Colwill (ACL) and Benoît Badiashile (doubtful, nearing return) are concerns. Roméo Lavia (hamstring) and Liam Delap (out until December) are unavailable. Cole Palmer is fit and key.

New additions João Pedro (£60m from Brighton, shining with hat-trick), Dario Essugo (out post-thigh surgery), and Alejandro Garnacho (~£40m, ex-United) shine.

Managers

Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-3 at United is under scrutiny after the City loss. His high-pressing style won titles at Sporting, but the Premier League is tougher (26% win rate early on).

Enzo Maresca’s possession-based Chelsea are thriving, fresh off a UEFA Conference League title in May 2025 (4-1 vs Real Betis) and FIFA Club World Cup win (3-0 vs PSG). His calm approach suits their young squad.

Verdict

United desperately need a win to spark Amorim’s project, and Old Trafford could deliver a 2-1 victory if the crowd lifts them and Cunha/Šeško fire. But Chelsea’s form and attack, with Garnacho facing his old club, suggest a 2-1 Chelsea win in a tight, dramatic clash.

A 2-2 draw isn’t out of the question given United’s home resilience.

Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes and his Chelsea counterpart Reece James. PHOTO/Man United & Chelsea X.