Chelsea host Manchester United in the opening match of the ninth round of the English Premier League on Saturday, 31 October, with the clubs approaching the fixture in contrasting form. Chelsea are fifth in the table, while Manchester United are 16th after a difficult start to the season.

Chelsea were beaten 2-0 by Tottenham in a London derby at Stamford Bridge last weekend. Xabi Alonso’s side failed to score but remain in the top section of the standings, having collected 13 points from their first eight matches.

The Blues have won four league games, drawn one and lost three. They will now look to respond at home against a Manchester United side that has gone eight matches without a victory.

Manchester United’s poor run

Manchester United’s recent results have left Michael Carrick’s team with only one win from eight Premier League matches. They have also drawn four games and suffered three defeats, leaving them on seven points.

The Red Devils endured two heavy losses last week. They were beaten 4-1 by Como in the Champions League before losing 3-0 to Bournemouth in the Premier League.

Manchester United have now been unable to win for a month and a half, and their position in the table underlines the scale of their problems before the trip to Chelsea.

Head-to-head record and prediction

The teams have met 199 times. Manchester United hold the stronger overall record, with 82 victories compared with Chelsea’s 56, while 61 matches have ended in draws.

Chelsea have won two and lost two of their past four matches. Manchester United, by contrast, are without a win in their last eight games.

The bookmakers make Chelsea favourites for the fixture, and the prediction is for the home side to take all three points. The suggested exact score is Chelsea 3-1 Manchester United.

Information supplied with the prediction says the match may be available to watch free through bookmakers after quick registration. The listed sources are winline.ru and fon.bet.