Chelsea vs Man Utd

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Chelsea have a remarkable recent record against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge. The last 10 renewals of this fixture show six home wins and four draws.

Throughout history, though, United have dominated the overall picture. In 163 meetings, United have won 71, with 48 draws and 41 Chelsea wins.



GOALS

In their last 30 meetings in all competitions, both teams have scored 18 times. The average number of total goals in this period is 2.4, with United responsible for 37 of the 72 and Chelsea 35 - almost an equal split.

Chelsea have played 14 matches so far this season, with a total of 52 goals scored at an average of over 3.7 per game.

Both teams have scored in eight of these games, although it's noticeable that when faced with high-class opponents (Manchester City, Arsenal, Shakhtar, Tottenham, Juventus and Atletico Madrid) both sides have found the net.

United have played 12 times, with 44 goals scored at a similar average of 3.67 per game.

Both teams have scored in eight of these games, and again when faced with top-class opponents (Liverpool and Tottenham) both sides have found the net.

SCORERS

Robin van Persie has scored five goals at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, an individual record which hasn't been bettered by an opposition player. He has scored in exactly half of his appearances for Manchester United - last year, he scored in 28 of 57 appearances for club and country, so he's very much kept the ball rolling.

In the seven games played since Javier Hernandez signed for United, he has scored in four, while in that same time period Wayne Rooney has also scored in four.

Ignoring Jonny Evans' own goal, Juan Mata opened the scoring in this fixture last season. This time around he has six goals in his last six games, finding the net in four of them.

Fernando Torres has scored in six of his 14 appearances for Chelsea this season, which leaves him one short of his total for the entire 2011-12 season. He has scored in three games against United.

David Luiz has scored in both of his appearances against United at Stamford Bridge, and has scored once in 12 this year, roughly in keeping with his 2011-12 average of one goal per 13.34 appearances.

HALF-TIME/FULL-TIME

Chelsea have won seven Premier League games this season, and led at the interval in four of them, going in level twice and coming from behind once.

In all competitions, they've been behind at half-time just twice, once to Reading in the league and once to Shakhtar in Europe.

United have lost twice this season, and on neither occasion were they in front at half-time, nor indeed at any point during the game.

Only four times in 12 games across all competitions have they taken a lead into the break, and they've gone on to win on all four occasions.

GOAL TIMES

Chelsea have scored 18 goals in the Premier League, with 10 of them coming in the first half and eight in the second. They've scored first in six of their eight Premier League games.

United have scored 21 goals in the Premier League, with seven of them coming in the first half and 13 in the second. They've conceded first seven times in 12 games in all competitions.

BOOKINGS

Chelsea's Premier League games average 2.75 yellow cards so far, but there have been no red cards issued.

Manchester United games average exactly the same number of yellow cards, but there has been one red card, albeit issued to an opposition player.

CORNERS

Chelsea's Premier League games have provided 75 corners so far at an average of 9.375, with Chelsea accounting for 40 of them.

Manchester United games have provided 96 corners at an average of 12, with United accounting for 49 of them.

SUMMARY

From a statistical perspective, everything points to a high-scoring game: recent meetings of the sides, their line-ups, this season's Premier League results and their most recent Champions League games.

Recent and overall form suggests that Robin van Persie and Juan Mata are those to look out for in the first goalscorer betting, with the latter perhaps more likely owing to United's clear tendancy to start slowly.

Javier Hernandez is one to watch if he makes the starting line-up following a superb midweek display given his prior record against Chelsea, although it must be said that all of United's striking options have prior in the fixture.

Chelsea are clear and obvious favourites to open the scoring, but for those betting in-play it could pay to side with United if they go behind. Finally, while a draw would look a reasonable call, United haven't yet shared the spoils at all this season so expect one of these sides to come away with maximum points.