Chelsea v Man Utd TV details, team news, tactics preview, stats and betting tips

Premier League
Sky Sports Premier League, 12.30pm Saturday

Match odds
8-11 Chelsea Betfair, Hills
4-1 Man Utd general
3-1 Draw Betfair, 188Bet

Form
Unbeaten Chelsea are keeping pace with Manchester City and Liverpool on 20 points with only goal difference keeping the Blues off the summit following an excellent opening eight games.

One word of caution - Chelsea have played five of the current bottom six - but they have also held Liverpool and beaten Arsenal 3-2 at Stamford Bridge so Maurizio Sarri has proved himself in the big games too.

Eighth-placed United have lurched from one crisis to another, losing to Tottenham, Brighton and West Ham, shipping three times in each sorry defeat.

Only Fulham, Cardiff and Huddersfield have conceded more goals in this season's Premier League and Jose Mourinho finds himself sack-race favourite despite a 3-2 win over Newcastle last time out.

The tactical battle
It was as Chelsea manager first time around in September 2004 that Mourinho brought the phrase "park the bus" into the English footballing dictionary, ironically, complaining about Tottenham's defensive tactics in a 0-0 draw.

In subsequent years Mourinho has turned many a match into a snore-fest and he usually reverts to type for elite battles. Certainly an open game would play into the hands of Chelsea and this could turn into an attack versus defence contest.

Sarri's template will never change. He wants the ball at all times, his team will play through midfield pass-master Jorginho and hungrily look to win possession back high up the field.

Team news
Chelsea are expected to be at full-strength with Antonio Rudiger their only minor concern, while United's Nemanja Matic is doubtful to face his former club. Marcos Rojo is sidelined and checks need to also be made on Luke Shaw, Jesse Lingard, Ander Herrera, Scott McTominay and Marouane Fellaini.

Verdict
Chelsea cannot be described as outstanding value but they deserve their odds-on status given United's defensive problems this season. It's difficult to see who in the visiting ranks will nullify Eden Hazard. Chelsea 2-0 win.

Key stats
United have kept one clean sheet in their nine domestic fixtures this season.

Chelsea have won six of their last seven home games against United in all competitions.

Under 2.5 goals has landed in eight of the last ten meetings and four of the last five at Stamford Bridge.

Eden Hazard has been involved in ten Premier League goals this season (scored seven, three assists) from just 577 minutes of action.

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