Chelsea were humbled 4-0 by Manchester United in their first game of the new season. However, things have drastically turned since then as Chelsea are currently seven points above United and are sitting fourth on the table. The Blues will host Manchester United in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup, and Lampard would be keen to get one over Ole.
The Blues are on a good run of form as they have won their last six games in all competitions. They demolished Grimsby Town 7-1 in the previous round. On the other hand, United laboured against Rochdale as they were stretched to penalties by the League One outfit. Solskjaer’s side have won just two of their six matches, and the momentum seems to be with the Pensioners.
Team News
Chelsea
Antonio Rudiger and N’Golo Kante are expected to miss out. Ruben Loftus-Cheek is a long term absentee. Andreas Christensen and Ross Barkley are also doubtful for this game. We are expecting some changes to be made by Lampard for this Cup game, but he could continue with some of his experienced men in the lineup given the stature of his opponents.
Probable Lineup– Caballero; James, Zouma, Tomori, Emerson; Jorginho, Kovacic; Hudson-Odoi, Pedro, Pulisic; Batshuayi
Manchester United
Diogo Dalot, Axel Tuanzebe, Nemanja Matic and Luke Shaw are going to be unavailable. Paul Pogba will be a big miss for Solskjaer, and the Frenchman is ruled out until December. David de Gea hasn’t travelled with the squad to London, so he is going to be rested.
It would be interesting to see how Solskjaer will set up his team as he changed his formation when he played against a heavyweight side like Liverpool. They went in with three centre-halves, and they were effectively playing five at the back without possession. Chelsea have played some eye-catching attacking football off late, and maybe the Norwegian manager might resort to similar tactic to blunt his opponents.
Probable Lineup– Romero; Jones, Maguire, Rojo; Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Fred, Williams; Lingard; Greenwood, Martial
Key Men
Chelsea
Fikayo Tomori has looked at ease at the back, and he has replicated his terrific form from last season as a Chelsea player now. Hudson-Odoi can be the difference-maker in the final third with his bags of tricks and impressive pace.
Manchester United
Anthony Martial has just made his comeback from injury, and the manager might play him in the starting eleven again so that he can get back to his best. He will be a crucial man upfront. McTominay has emerged as the mainstay in the middle this season, and he has also popped in with some vital goals.
Prediction
Cup games after often tough to call but the form and momentum seems to be with Chelsea at the moment. Coupled with the fact that they are at home, we are going for a 2-0 win in Lampard’s favour.
Odds
Chelsea Win– 1.91
Manchester United Win– 4.20
Draw- 3.60 (After 90 minutes)
