2026-27 ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE PREVIEW: CHELSEA FC VS MANCHESTER UNITED

• By: Isaac Amponsah (Dr Ike)

• Predictions: Home win/draw

• Manchester United will be striving to spark an upturn in fortunes when they head to Stamford Bridge for Premier League clash against Chelsea FC on Saturday, October 31, 2026

• The two sides will battle for the three maximum points, supremacy, and bragging rights in their meetings.

• Chelsea FC were defeated 2-0 in their last Premier League game at the Stamford Bridge against Tottenham Hotspur. 

• Manchester United's last Premier League game saw them beaten 3-0 by Bournemouth at Old Trafford, extending their winless streak to six, putting them in 16th place on seven points. 

• Eight points separate the two sides on the League table, with Chelsea having 13 points at the 5th position while Man United sits at 16th position with 7 points.

• The top-flight of English football was founded on April 17, 1888, with the inaugural season kicking off on September 8, 1888, as the Football League.

• No club has been in the top-flight for every single year since the inception of the English Football League in 1888. However, Arsenal F.C. holds the longest uninterrupted run in the top-flight of English football, having never been relegated since they joined the top division for the 1919-20 season (a streak of over 100 consecutive seasons).

• The 2026-27 Premier League is the 35th season of the Premier League and the 128th season of top-flight English football overall.

• Since the inception of English top-flight football, 65 teams have featured in the competition, and only 24 different have been crown as champions with Liverpool and Manchester United been the joint most successful club with (20), followed by Arsenal (14 ), Manchester City (10), Everton (9), Aston Villa (7), Sunderland (6), Chelsea (6), Newcastle United (4), Sheffield Wednesday (4), Huddersfield Town (3), Wolverhampton Wanderers (3), Leeds United (3), Blackburn Rovers (3), Preston North End (2), Portsmouth (2), Burnley (2), Tottenham Hotspur (2), Derby County (2), Sheffield United (1), West Bromwich Albion (1), Ipswich Town (1), Nottingham Forest (1) and Leicester City (1).

 • Arsenal FC are the defending champions, having won the 2025-26 Premier League with 85 points and their 14th titles in the English top-flight football.

• The first ever match between the two sides was played on December 25, 1905, ended in a 0-0 draw.

Monday, December 25, 1905 (Match Day 17) [1905-06 Division two]

Venue: Bank Street Stadium, Clayton 

Man United 0-0 Chelsea

Coaches: Chelsea - John Tait Robertson// United: Ernest Mangnall

• Return leg: Friday, April 13, 1906 (Match Day 36) [1905-06 Division two]

Venue: Stamford Bridge - First season at Bridge 

Chelsea 1-1 Man United 

Tom McDermott 80'//Charles Sagar 64'

Referee: Thomas Kirkham (Burslem)

Coaches: Chelsea - John Tait Robertson// United: Ernest Mangnall

• All-Time (Competitive since 1905) - 199 games:

Chelsea wins - 56

Goals scored - 238

Man United wins - 82

Goals scored - 312

Drawn games - 61

• Premier League Era only (1992 - Present) - 65 games:

Chelsea wins - 21 

Goals scored - 79

Man United wins - 22 

Goals scored - 86

Drawn games - 22

• Last 6 Meetings:

• April 18, 2026 (Match Day 33) [2025-26 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 0-1 Man United

Cunha 42'

Referee: Michael Oliver

Coaches: Liam Rosenior (Chelsea) vs Michael Carrick (United)

• September 20, 2025 (Matchday 6) [2025-26 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 2-1 Chelsea

Bruno Fernandes 20' (pen) [100th United goal], Casemiro 37' // Chalobah 80'

Red Cards: Sánchez 5' (Chelsea earliest PL red, foul on Mbeumo) + Casemiro 45+1' (second yellow)

Referee: Peter Bankes 

Coaches: Ruben Amorim vs Enzo Maresca

• May 16, 2025 (Match Day 37) [2024-25 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

 Chelsea 1-0 Man United

Cucurella 71' - his 5th PL goal, all at home.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh 

Coaches: Enzo Maresca vs Ruben Amorim

• November 3, 2024 (Match Day 10) [2024-25 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 1-1 Chelsea

Bruno Fernandes 70' (pen) // Caicedo 74' 

Referee: Robert Jones 

Coaches: Ruud van Nistelrooy (interim) vs Enzo Maresca

• April 4, 2024 (Match Day 31) [2023-24 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 4-3 Man United 

Gallagher 4', Palmer 19' (pen), 100' (pen), 101' (HAT-TRICK) // Garnacho (brace) 34', 67', Bruno Fernandes 39' 

Referee: Jarred Gillett 

Coaches: Mauricio Pochettino vs Erik ten Hag

• Record: Latest winning goal in PL history - 100:39 - United led until 99:17 and lost, latest a team ever led and lost

• December 06, 2023 (Match Day 15) [2023-24 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 2-1 Chelsea

McTominay (brace) 19', 69' // Palmer 45'

Referee: Chris Kavanagh 

Coaches: Erik ten Hag vs Mauricio Pochettino

• Missed pen: Bruno Fernandes 9' saved by Sánchez (foul Enzo on Antony - modern-day penalty).

• Two team's Saturday League matches:

• Man United won their first two Saturday League games against Chelsea (W2 GF5 GA1):

• 28/09/1907 Chelsea 1-4 Man United 

• 25/01/1908 Man United 1-0 Chelsea 

• It took Chelsea FC until their third Saturday meeting with Man United in the League before they were able to record their first win:

• 07/11/1908 Man United 0-1 Chelsea

Total matches played - 97

Chelsea wins - 31

Goals scored - 126

Man United wins - 40

Goals scored - 151

Drawn games - 26

• The last time Chelsea FC won against Man United on Saturday in the Premier League was April 18, 2015 (Chelsea 1-0 Man United), since then, they have failed in their last five (5) attempts (D2 L3 GF4 GA6).

• Man United are unbeaten in their last 5 Saturday Premier League meetings with Chelsea (W2 D3 GF6 GA4):

• 20/10/2018 Chelsea 2-2 Man United 

• 24/10/2020 Man United 0-0 Chelsea 

• 22/10/2022 Chelsea 1-1 Man United 

• 20/09/2025 Man United 2-1 Chelsea 

• 18/04/2026 Chelsea 0-1 Man United

• Two team's match Day 9 League matches:

Total matches played - 5

Chelsea wins - 1

Goals scored - 10

Man United wins - 2

Goals scored - 10

Drawn games - 2

• Saturday, September 18, 1965 (Match Day 9) [1965-66 First Division]

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 4-1 Chelsea

Charlton 34', Law 61', 3-1 Denis Law 73', 78' - HAT-TRICK // Terry Venables 23' (pen)

• Sunday, October 28, 2012 (Match Day 9) [2012-13 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 2-3 Man United 

Juan Mata 44', Ramires 53' // David Luiz 4' (OG), Robin Van Persie 12', Javier Hernandez 75'

• NB: Red card: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) 63', Fernando Torres (Chelsea) 68' sent off

• Sunday, October 26, 2014 (Match Day 9) [2014-15 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 1-1 Chelsea

Robin Van Persie 90+4' // Didier Drogba 53'

Coaches: Louis Van Gaal vs Jose Mourinho 

• Sunday, October 23, 2016 (Match Day 9) [2016-17 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 4-0 Man United

 Pedro 1', Gary Cahill 21', Eden Hazard 62', N'Golo Kante 70'

Coaches: Conte vs Mourinho

• NB: Jose Mourinho's heaviest defeat 

• Saturday, October 20, 2018 (Match Day 9) [2018-19 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 2-2 Man United 

Antonio Rudiger 21', Ross Barkley 90+6' // Anthony Martial (brace) 55', 73'

Coaches: Mourinho vs Ianni

• October League meetings:

Total matches played - 17

Chelsea wins - 4

Goals scored - 33

Man United wins - 4

Goals scored - 26

Drawn games - 9

• Saturday, October 31, 1914 (Match Day 10) [1914-15 Division One]

Venue: Old Trafford

Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea

George Anderson 43', George Hunter 70'//Harold Halse (brace) 65', 84' 

Coaches: John Robson (United) vs David Calderhead (Chelsea)

• Saturday, October 24, 1936 (Match Day 11) [1936-37 Division One]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 0-0 Chelsea 

• Saturday, October 16, 1954 (Match Day 13) [1954-55 Division One]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 5-6 Man United

Roy Bentley 19', Frank Blunstone 46', Seamus O'Connell 54', Les Stubbs 67', Johnny McNichol 75' // Dennis Viollet (hat-trick) 12', 23', 48', Tommy Taylor (brace) 15', 35', Jackie Blanchflower 87'

NB: Highest scoring league meeting EVER

• Saturday October 5, 1957 (Match Day 1) [1957-58 First Division]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 2-1 Man United

Peter Brabrook 28', Les Allen 62' // Liam Whelan 85'

• Wednesday, October 2, 1963 (Match Day 8) [1963-64 First Division]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 1-1 Man United

Barry Bridges 30' // Maurice Setters 70' 

• Saturday October 15, 1966 (Match Day 11) [1966-67 First Division]

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 1-1 Chelsea

Pat Crerand 51' (OG) // Denis Law 80' 

• Saturday, October 26, 1985 (Match Day 13) [1985-86 First Division]  

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 1-2 Man United 

Kerry Dixon 84' // Jesper Olsen 23' (pen), Frank Stapleton 59'

• Saturday, October 21, 1995 (Match Day 11)[1995-96 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 1-4 Man United

Mark Hughes 75' // Paul Scholes (brace) 3' 9', Ryan Giggs 79', Brian McClair 84'

Red card: Frank Sinclair (Chelsea) 89' sent off

• Saturday, October 2, 1999 (Match Day 10) [1999-00 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 5-0 Man United

Gus Poyet (brace) 1' 54', Chris Sutton 16', Jody Morris (brace) 59', 82'

• NB: Chelsea ended Man United 40-game unbeaten run.

• Saturday, October 20, 2001 (Match Day 10) [2001-02 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 0-3 Chelsea

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink 31', Eidur Gudjohnsen 48', Frank Lampard 80' - his first goal vs United.

• Saturday October 19, 2002 (Match Day 10) [2002-03 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 2-2 Man United

Gianfranco Zola 45+1', Mario Stanic 90+2' // Juan Sebastian Veron 24', Diego Forlan 90' (first PL goal)

• Sunday, October 28, 2012 (Match Day 9) [2012-13 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 2-3 Man United 

Juan Mata 44', Ramires 53' // David Luiz 4' (OG), Robin Van Persie 12', Javier Hernandez 75'

• NB: Red card: Branislav Ivanovic (Chelsea) 63', Fernando Torres (Chelsea) 68' sent off

• Sunday, October 26, 2014 (Match Day 9) [2014-15 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 1-1 Chelsea

Robin Van Persie 90+4' // Didier Drogba 53'

Coaches: Louis Van Gaal vs Jose Mourinho 

• Sunday, October 23, 2016 (Match Day 9) [2016-17 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 4-0 Man United

 Pedro 1', Gary Cahill 21', Eden Hazard 62', N'Golo Kante 70'

Coaches: Conte vs Mourinho

• NB: Jose Mourinho's heaviest defeat 

• Saturday, October 20, 2018 (Match Day 9) [2018-19 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 2-2 Man United 

Antonio Rudiger 21', Ross Barkley 90+6' // Anthony Martial (brace) 55', 73'

Coaches: Mourinho vs Ianni 

• Saturday, October 24, 2020 (Match Day 6) [2020-21 Premier League] {Behind closed doors}

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 0-0 Chelsea

• Saturday, October 22, 2022 (Match Day 13] [2022-23 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 1-1 Man United

Jorginho 87' (pen) // Casemiro 90+4'

• Two team's October 31 League matches:

• The only time Chelsea and Man United met on October 31 in the League ended in a scoring draw:

• Saturday, October 31, 1914 (Match Day 10) [1914-15 Division One]

Venue: Old Trafford

Manchester United 2-2 Chelsea

George Anderson 43', George Hunter 70'//Harold Halse (brace) 65', 84' 

Coaches: John Robson (United) vs David Calderhead (Chelsea)

• Early kick-off (12:30 BST / 12:45 BST) slot (UK) since Premier League started:

Total matches played - 7

Chelsea wins - 3

Goals scored - 10

Man United wins - 2

Goals scored - 8

Drawn games - 2

• Sunday, November 6, 2005 (12:30) 

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 1-0 Chelsea

Darren Fletcher 31' 

NB: Ends Chelsea 40-game unbeaten run, Mourinho 1st loss to Ferguson in League.

Coaches: Sir Alex Ferguson (Man United) // Jose Mourinho (Chelsea)

Referee: Graham Poll

• Saturday, March 1, 2008 (12:45) 

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 2-1 Man United  

Ballack 45+1' (pen), 81' (pen) // Rooney 30' 

Coaches: Avram Grant // Sir Alex Ferguson - Grant's first win vs Ferguson.

Referee: Mike Dean

• Saturday April 3, 2010 (12:45) 

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 1-2 Chelsea

Federico Macheda 90+3' // Joe Cole 20', Didier Drogba 79' 

NB: title decider, Chelsea go top, win title.

Referee: Mike Dean 

Coaches: Carlo Ancelotti (Chelsea) // Sir Alex Ferguson (Man United)

• Saturday, December 28, 2013 (12:45) 

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 0-1 Chelsea

Samuel Eto'o 48'

Coaches: David Moyes // Jose Mourinho

Referee: Howard Webb

• Saturday, October 20, 2018 (12:30) 

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 2-2 Man United 

Rudiger 21', Barkley 90+6' // Martial (brace) 55', 73'

NB: Marco Ianni celebrates in front of Mourinho - brawl, Mourinho held back, FA charge Ianni.

Coaches: Maurizio Sarri vs Jose Mourinho 

Referee: Mike Dean 

• Saturday, April 30, 2022 (12:30) 

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 1-1 Chelsea 

Marcos Alonso 60' // Cristiano Ronaldo 62' 

Coaches: Ralf Rangnick (Man United) // Thomas Tuchel (Chelsea) - Rangnick interim, Tuchel CL holders.

Referee: Mike Dean 

• Saturday, September 20, 2025 (12:30 ET / 17:30 BST) 

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 2-1 Chelsea

Bruno Fernandes 14' (pen), Casemiro 37' // Tosin Adarabioyo Chalobah 80'  

• NB: Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) straight red card 5'  

• NB: Chelsea 10 men for 85 mins + 11 mins added.

Coaches: Ruben Amorim (Man United) // Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)

Referee: 

Peter Bankes

• Saturday October 31, 2026 (12:30 BST) 

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea vs Man United (Match Day 9) [2026-27] 

Ref Peter Bankes per PL appointment Carrick vs Alonso

• League matches in the year ending with "6":

Total matches played - 17

Chelsea wins - 6

Goals scored - 22

Man United wins - 5

Goals scored - 19

Drawn games - 6

• April 7, 1906 (Match Day 17) [1905-06 Division Two]

Venue: Bank Street Stadium 

Man United 0-0 Chelsea 

• Saturday, October 24, 1936 (Match Day 11) [1936-37 First Division]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 0-0 Chelsea 

• Wednesday, September 4, 1946 (Match Day 3) [1946-47 First Division]

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 0-3 Man United 

• Wednesday, September 18, 1946 (Match Day 5) [1946-47 First Division]

Venue: Maine Road (Old Trafford still rebuilding)

Man United 1-1 Chelsea 

• Saturday, March 3, 1956 (Match Day 33) [1955-56 First Division]

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 2-4 Man United 

• Wednesday, September 5, 1956 (Match Day 6) [1956-57 First Division]

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 1-2 Man United 

• Saturday, March 12, 1966 (Match Day 25) [1965-66 First Division]

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 2-0 Man United 

• Saturday, October 15, 1966 (Match Day 11) [1966-67 First Division]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 1-1 Chelsea 

• Saturday, November 5, 1966 (Match Day 14) [1966-67 First Division]

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 1-3 Man United 

• Wednesday, April 9, 1986 (Match Day 38) [1985-86 First Division]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 1-2 Chelsea 

• Sunday, September 28, 1986 (Match Day 8) [1986-87 First Division]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 0-1 Chelsea 

• Saturday, November 2, 1996 (Match Day 13) [1996-97 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 1-2 Chelsea 

• Saturday, April 29, 2006 (Match Day 37) [2005-06 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 3-0 Man United 

• Sunday, November 26, 2006 (Match Day 13) [2006-07 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford 

Man United 1-1 Chelsea 

• Sunday, February 7, 2016 (Match Day 25) [2015-16 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge 

Chelsea 1-1 Man United 

• Sunday, October 23, 2016 (Match Day 9) [2016-17 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 4-0 Man United 

• Saturday, April 18, 2026 (Match Day 33) [2025-26 Premier League]

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Chelsea 0-1 Man United

• Match officials:

• Referee: Peter Bankes

• Assistant Referees: Gary Beswick, Blake Antrobus

• Fourth Official: Paul Tierney

• VAR : James Bell

• Assistant VAR: Tim Wood

• Center Referee Peter Bankes was born in 1982 (44 years) in Lancashire, England.

• He has been listed as FIFA referee to officiate international matches since 2021. However, in 2023, Bankes only appears on the list as a Video Match Official.

• Peter Bankes previously officiated the Premier League meeting between the two sides at Old Trafford on September 20, 2025.

• Saturday, September 20, 2025 (Match Day 5) [2025-26 Premier League]

Venue: Old Trafford

Man United 2-1 Chelsea

Bruno Fernandes 14', Casemiro 37' // Trevoh Chalobah 80'

Red card: Robert Sanchez (Chelsea) 5' straight red // Casemiro (Man United) 45+5' (2 yellow cards)

Coaches: Ruben Amorim (Man United) // Enzo Maresca (Chelsea)

Referee: Peter Bankes

(Assistants: Edward Smart, Blake Antrobus, Fourth Official: Sam Barrott, VAR: Craig Pawson, AVAR: Akil Howson).

• This fixture will be the second time referee Peter Bankes will officiate Chelsea vs Man United game in an Premier League.

• Chelsea FC are currently 5th with 13 points after match Day 8 games while Manchester United on the other hand are 16th with 7 points on the Premier League log.