Chelsea v Manchester United preview: team news
Chelsea host Manchester United at 12:30 GMT with Palmer back and a long injury list. Team news for both sides, the form, and where our call sits.
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How it settled
Chelsea beat Manchester United 2–0 at Stamford Bridge. Morgan Rogers scored a solo goal on 50 minutes, Lisandro Martínez was sent off for a second yellow card, and Cole Palmer scored the penalty that came with it, per Chelsea's match report. United had the better of the first half and had a goal ruled out for offside, per the Guardian.
The Desk's call is now on the public record: Chelsea to win at 2.1 on Betfair, against our 44.4%. That price was a 3.2 point negative edge, so the call said Chelsea were the likelier winner but the price was too short to be worth it. The record settles it as won. Honestly, the team news here got the shape right, a thin Chelsea side with Palmer back, but the first half was United's, and a 44% chance leaves plenty of room for the game to go the other way.
Our call before the match
Written on 31 Oct 2026, before the match. The prices, team news and any "tonight" or "next week" below are as they stood then.
Chelsea v Manchester United kicks off at 12:30 GMT on Saturday 31 October at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea get Cole Palmer back but are without a long list, including Reece James and João Pedro. United arrive without Luke Shaw and Benjamin Sesko, and with doubts over Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford. BAI8 published a researched call on the game before kick-off; this piece is the team news that framed it.
Who is out for Chelsea
| Player | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Reece James | Out, knee, until the new year | football.london |
| João Pedro | Out, thigh | football.london |
| Emi Martínez | Out, jaw | football.london |
| Jamie Gittens | Out, ankle | football.london |
| Maxence Lacroix | Out, hamstring, until after the break | Chelsea FC |
| Cole Palmer | Back from suspension | Chelsea FC |
| Moisés Caicedo, Malo Gusto | Fit | Chelsea FC |
Xabi Alonso's side lost their Carabao Cup tie to Liverpool on penalties in midweek and sit fifth, per football.london.
Who is out for Manchester United
| Player | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Shaw | Out | Sports Mole |
| Benjamin Sesko | Out, shin | Sports Mole |
| Manuel Ugarte | Out, knee | Sports Mole |
| Patrick Dorgu | Out, hamstring | Sports Mole |
| Kobbie Mainoo | Doubtful | Sports Mole |
| Marcus Rashford | Doubtful, hip and groin | Sports Mole |
Michael Carrick's United have not won away from home in the league this season but are chasing a third straight win over Chelsea, per Sports Mole.
Where our call sits
The BAI8 Desk published a call on this game on 25 October. Its chance and price are shown to members only, which is why we do not repeat them here; members-only Desk calls: what you see and when explains the rule. Once the game is played, the call goes on the public record whatever happened. The rest of Saturday's slate is in Saturday football predictions: our 17 Desk calls.
What this does not tell you
Team news this early is a snapshot. Rashford and Mainoo may play or not, and a late absence moves a price faster than any preview can. This piece does not say who wins; it lists who is missing.
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Common questions
When is Chelsea v Manchester United?
Saturday 31 October 2026 at 12:30 GMT at Stamford Bridge, in the Premier League.
Who is out for Chelsea against Manchester United?
Reece James, João Pedro, Emi Martínez, Jamie Gittens, Maxence Lacroix and others, per Chelsea's own team news and football.london. Cole Palmer is back from suspension.
Who is out for Manchester United at Chelsea?
Luke Shaw, Benjamin Sesko, Manuel Ugarte and Patrick Dorgu, with Kobbie Mainoo and Marcus Rashford doubts, per Sports Mole.
Does BAI8 have a prediction for Chelsea v Manchester United?
Yes. The Desk backed Chelsea at 2.1 on Betfair against our 44.4%, a negative edge. Chelsea won 2–0, so the call settled as won.
Sources
- Chelsea FC, match report: Chelsea 2-0 Manchester Unitedchelseafc.com
- The Guardian, Chelsea v Manchester United match reporttheguardian.com
- BAI8 Desk record, 31 October 2026bai8.app
- BAI8 Desk preview, 31 October 2026bai8.app
- Chelsea FC, Xabi Alonso confirms team newschelseafc.com
- football.london, Chelsea v Man Utd injury newsfootball.london
- Sports Mole, Manchester United team newssportsmole.co.uk