With qualification for the last 16 of the Champions League secured, Chelsea and Manchester United turn their attention back to the Premier League when they clash in the big Super Sunday clash at Stamford Bridge. The hosts will be looking to consolidate their three-point lead at the top of the table, while United will be hoping for a change in fortunes after a run of form that has seen them lose four of their last five. Check out our preview and predictions below, and if playing online casino is your choice of entertainment, head over to Genting Casino and enjoy our premium experience with over 3000 of your favourite online slots and live casino table games available on any device.
Both sides will be pleased with their midweek displays with Chelsea humbling Juventus 4-0 at Stamford Bridge, while Man Utd secured top spot over Villarreal in a much needed reprieve.
Admittedly, neither the Italian nor Spanish outfit have been enduring the best of campaigns domestically this term, though the Blues’ dismantling of the Bianconeri had an air of imposing authority about it that was hard to ignore.
Cristiano Ronaldo was very much the hero again for the Red Devils against Villarreal, while Jadon Sancho will take confidence from his first goal for the club, but Man Utd flattered to deceive on many occasions under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Although a change in the dugout certainly can’t make performances worse than they already were, with the same coaching staff in place, it’s hard to see a complete revival of fortunes and a W4-D2-L6 over their past 12 fixtures leaves plenty to be desired.
Chelsea are now unbeaten in 10 appearances, winning eight of these over 90 minutes, during which time they’ve racked up a healthy seven clean sheets and scored at least three times on six occasions.
That includes just one goal conceded across the past five, so United have their work cut out penetrating a steely backline.
That record is in stark contrast to the visitors, whose clean sheet midweek still leaves them with just three shutouts from 26 outings since late April, as they’ve conceded twice at a minimum in six of their past eight.
Harry Maguire has come in for plenty of criticism this season but was a solid presence against Villarreal, though his red card at Watford means he’ll be suspended here.
Further, Michael Carrick’s defensive headache is exacerbated by the continued absence of the world class Raphael Varane.
Across United’s past five league games, he’s missed the defeats to Leicester (4-2), Liverpool (5-0), Man City (2-0) and Watford (4-1), while in the exception, they beat Tottenham (3-0) as he played the full 90 minutes.
Elsewhere, Luke Shaw remains a doubt following a head injury last weekend, so Alex Telles looks set to continue at left-back. Further forwards, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani remain sidelined, and Mason Greenwood is highly doubtful having recently tested positive for covid, though with a top-heavy squad these absences at least lessen Carrick’s selection dilemma.
Thomas Tuchel may be forced into a couple of changes with Ben Chillwell and N’Golo Kante leaving the field with knee injuries against Juventus, while Mateo Kovacic is still injured and Kai Havertz is a doubt as well.
However, with Marcos Alonso able to come in on the left flank and Ruben Loftus-Cheek’s stature growing at the club, the hosts are hardly without solutions.
Romelu Lukaku is also back from injury to spearhead the attack, though may have to make do with a substitute role after his lay-off, but unlike Man Utd, Chelsea’s tactical setup leaves them far less susceptible to absentees brining the team down.
Reece James To Score Anytime
With Lukaku working his way back to fitness coupled with Man Utd’s myriad defensive problems, Reece James emerges as a highly credible candidate to register on the scoreboard at some stage.
Where the wing-back has played at least 45 minutes this season, he’s had 10 goal involvements (five goals and five assists) from 10 appearances.
That includes four goals and four assists in the league alone from six such appearances, and he’ll enjoy the opportunity to come up against the defensively suspect Alex Telles.
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Serie A continues this weekend and we have you covered with previews to some of the standout games of the weekend in the Italian top-flight. In the first of our three featured games Atalanta look to keep pace with the league leaders when they take on a struggling Juventus, AC Milan hope to bounce back from their first league loss of the season when they take on Sassuolo at the San Siro, while Napoli and Lazio bring the curtain down on the weekend's action. Check out our preview and predictions below, and if playing online casino is your choice of entertainment, head over to Genting Casino and enjoy our premium experience with over 3000 of your favourite online slots and live casino table games available on any device.
Juventus may be through to the Champions League knockout stages but a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea midweek underlined their struggles this season and domestically, they’re 11 points off the pace down in eighth place. Atalanta are in a more precarious position in Europe and will need to beat Villarreal on the final day, but are in fourth place in Serie A, though they themselves are still seven points adrift of leaders Milan and Napoli.
The visitors have fared badly when travelling to Juventus over the years, but they’ve lost just one of their past 22 road trips in Serie A going back to the end of October 2020, including victories in eight of the past nine. Their injury problems have largely cleared up, with wing-backs Robin Gosens and Hans Hateboer the notable absentees, and should offer a stern challenge this time around.
Goals would certainly appear to be on the agenda with Atalanta involved in plenty of high-scoring affairs, which has been a consistent theme over the past few years under Gian Piero Gasperini. Across all competitions, eight of Atalanta’s past 10 matches have seen at least four goals, while each of the past six have seen a minimum of three strikes. In clashes with the current top eight domestically, as well as Man Utd and Villarreal in Europe, six of their seven matches this season have seen at least four goals as they all featured a minimum of three.
PREDICTION:
OVER 2.5 GOALS
AC Milan v Sassuolo
Milan handed themselves a lifeline in Europe with a late winner away to Atletico Madrid, and they’ll hope to get back to winning ways domestically following their first defeat of the season at Fiorentina last week. They had previously won 14 of 17 unbeaten league games since the start of May, with two of the exceptions coming against Juventus and Inter, so they’ll expect an immediate response.
Sassuolo are only W3-D2-L6 since the start of September, though each of their defeats came by one-goal margins. They should remain competitive here, with none of their past five meetings with Milan settled by more than a single strike either way. However, they’re W1-D2-L7 against the Rossoneri since 2016/17, with five of those defeats coming by a one-goal margin.
PREDICTION:
AC MILAN TO WIN BY 1 GOAL
Napoli v Lazio
Napoli remain level with Milan at the top of the standings, though they need to pick themselves back up after their last few results, as they were held to a draw hosting Verona before defeats to Inter Milan and then Spartak Moscow in Europe. Winger Matteo Politano missed those recent losses with covid and remains a doubt for this fixture, but the injuries are mounting up and especially in attack.
Lorenzo Insigne missed the midweek encounter with Spartak Moscow with a knee complaint and will need to be assessed ahead of this fixture, while there’s an even bigger blow with Victor Osimhen ruled out for a few months following a nasty clash of heads with Inter’s Milan Skriniar last weekend. The Nigerian striker has been a revelation for Napoli this season with nine goals in all competitions, building upon an impressive campaign last term, while further back defensive midfielder Andre Zambo Anguissa is also set for a spell on the sidelines.
There’s better news for Lazio, who saw Ciro Immobile make a goalscoring return from a calf issue with a brace against Lokomotiv Moscow on Thursday. He’s already racked up double figures in the league this season, only failing to score in appearances against Milan, Roma and Fiorentina, and having scored in each of the past six league meetings with Napoli, will certainly improve the visitor’s chances here. Lazio have lost just three times across their past 14 outings in all competitions, and will hope to pick up at least a point here.
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It's the Ladbrokes Trophy at Newbury on Saturday afternoon as the Berkshire circuit plays host to one of Britain's oldest and most sought after handicaps over fences. Some of the finest of the modern era to win this great race include Bobs Worth, Many Clouds, Native River and Cloth Cap, while the mighty Denman triumphed twice, in 2007 and 2009, either side of his Gold Cup glory at Cheltenham in 2008. Jonjo O'Neill's Cloth Cap will attempt to match that feat on Saturday afternoon, but it's a daunting task - with only three horses having won the race twice and the Racing Post previews Saturday's Newbury card, where they race from 12.10pm-3.35pm.
Nina The Terrier landed a novices' hurdle over C&D at the beginning of the month, Alan King's charge doing so with today's rivals Ahorsewithnoname and Elle Est Belle behind in second and third places.
That duo are worse off on these terms but it's no forlorn hope to suggest Dan Skelton's Elle Est Belle can avenge that reversal if she jumps with more fluency this time. The Fame And Glory mare is expected to go close.
So, too, Nicky Henderson's THEATRE GLORY under Jonjo O'Neill Jr. The 4YO filly justified cramped odds on debut in a Worcester bumper in May, making all, and followed up on hurdles bow at Huntingdon 17 days ago. She can also hope to hurdle more fluently, but she quickened in good style to win that race and is no doubt capable of plenty better for her Seven Barrows handler now.
Selection: Theatre Glory
Next Best: Elle Est Belle
12.40 - Ladbrokes John Francome Novices' Chase (Grade 2, 2m7½f)
MR INCREDIBLE was positively lifted home by Rachael Blackmore at Naas (2m3f, yielding) earlier in the month. The partnership looked in real bother early in the home straight in attempting to come from off the pace but they rallied home in thrusting style under a majestic ride and were more than two-lengths in front at the post in that 18-runner Beginners Chase.
Going up in trip should only prove a positive and this is a very interesting piece of race-targeting from Henry De Bromhead as he's found a very winnable Grade 2. His charge may be good enough to account for these three older rivals.
Ahoy Senor took the scalp of Bravemansgame over timber at Aintree in the spring, doing so well from the front, and while he unseated Derek Fox at Carlisle (2m4f, soft) last month on his chasing bow, he certainly offered something to work with in a race won by leading Ladbrokes Trophy hope Fiddlerontheroof.
Ashtown Lad may attempt to go from the front, as he did on last month's winning chase bow at Wetherby over this distance, which could inconvenience Ahoy Senor, while Flash Collonges was a useful hurdler for Paul Nicholls last term and goes chasing now on the back of a wind op.
1.15 - Sir Peter O'Sullevan Memorial Handicap Chase (2m6½f)
A winner over 2m4f here in March from this mark, the Tom George-trained ESPOIR DE TEILLEE looks to be worth some interest back at Newbury and going beyond that distance for the first time on British shores.
The 9YO can admittedly be a little bit in and out in his efforts at times bit his last-time-out third at Chepstow was a positive effort and the assessor has dropped him 2lb from that mark of 144.
The pair that beat him weren't disgraced in the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham this month and Tom Scudamore's mount is an interesting each-way contender in this line-up.
Kauto The King has become a prolific winner for Colin Tizzard and is considered, though he's got more on his plate now and was given a helping hand at Wincanton last time.
Topofthecotswolds will relish this longer trip and is a contender for Nigel and Sam Twiston-Davies, while any market support behind returning Kapcorse for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden commands respect too.
Selection: Espoir De Teillee
Next Best: Topofthecotswolds
1.50 - Get Your Ladbrokes 1 Free Bet Today Handicap Hurdle (2m4½f)
Ch'tibello is the class horse in the line-up but the Skeltons runnner is a 10YO now and hasn't won since 2019. With three wins in 25 career starts, he's not prolific and while it wouldn't be any shock to see him running well back from a year off, others are preferred for win purposes.
Calva D'Auge has won his last four over hurdles for Paul Nicholls, including at Kempton (2m5f, good) this month on his first run since April. He made all in that contest and saw things out well, so a 2lb rise looks about fair - though Angus Cheleda's claim is also down from 7lb to 5lb here so more is required from them.
Fred was a 50/1 hope in the Betfair Hurdle here in the spring and while he hasn't quite fulfilled his potential yet, the French-bred has been given a chance by the handicapper now if ready to grasp it back up in trip.
His Nicky Henderson-trained stablemate LECALE'S ARTICLE won here on soft ground over shorter last December on his first start for Seven Barrows, some 970 days after he'd won a point-to-point in Ireland. He shaped well in novice events at Warwick and Sandown in the spring, and promises to be suited back up in distance now moving into handicaps. Tom Cannon rides here and an opening mark of 125 could be lenient.
SOARING GLORY returns to the scene of his finest success, having won the Betfair Hurdle here in February in good style off a mark of 133.
He was a remote fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle afterwards at Cheltenham and made his seasonal comeback at Ascot last month, defeating Leoncavallo and 12 more rivals in good fashion off 143.
He's up a further 6lb now and cedes 8lb and more to these three rivals, but Jonjo O'Neill's charge looks to be still firmly on an upward trajectory and he's the one to beat again in this small field.
Gowel Road is a dual C&D winner himself and scored a fortnight ago at Cheltenham over 2m5f, he's up 7lb and perhaps Nigel Twiston-Davies' runner isn't going to be ideally suited dropping trip in what may be a tactical affair.
Captain Morgs justified favouritism at Ascot eight days ago, but needs more to win this for the Henderson team, while Onemorefortheroad is improving with each start, knows how to win and would be dangerous if allowed an easy time in front.
The main event of Newbury's two-day Winter Carnival and, as always, this prestigious handicap is a proper puzzler.
Irish horses don't have a strong record - one win this century - but Willie Mullins runs three today and is seeking to repeat what he managed with Total Recall in 2017 as Ontheropes arrives here having won the Munster National last month. Brahma Bull has top-weight and it might be that Annamix is the value amongst Mullins' trio.
Eklat De Rire represents Rachael Blackmore and Henry De Bromhead and is potentially going to have a say on handicap bow, though last year's winner Cloth Cap has much more on his plate if he's to become just the fourth horse to win multiple renewals of this great race.
Of those at the front of the market it is FIDDLERONTHEROOF that makes most appeal for the rejuvenated Colin Tizzard yard. While many of the yard's horses were out of sorts last season, Fiddlerontheroof was reliable at all times, including chasing home Monkfish at the Cheltenham Festival.
Last month's winning return at Carlisle looks a solid effort and his stamina should not be in doubt back up in distance. A mark of 150 is far from prohibitive for Brendan Powell's mount, with the rider looking to build on last weekend's superb winning ride on Lostintranslation at Ascot. Tizzard bids to win this race for the third time in six years and has strong claims.
An outsider's chance is given to One More Fleurie for Ian Williams, who should be plenty sharper for last month's Ascot return where his effort petered out late. He was progressing nicely back in the spring at three-miles and given he likes to be ridden forward, he's just the type to outrun his price if getting into a good rhythm in this tough contest.
3.35 - Watch Racing Free Online At Ladbrokes Handicap Chase (2m½f)
Last weekend's Ascot third was another solid run from Sully D'oc Aa and he should be in there pitching once more despite carrying top weight in this quick turnaround. Gumball shaped well on first chase start for new handler Fergal O'Brien at Carlisle this month and is on a workable mark having been eased 3lb since, while Liam Harrison's claims helps too.
FRERO BANBOU impressed when scoring at Sandown in March for the Venetia Williams team on his first start following a wind operation. He went up 13lb for that and didn't disgrace himself in the Red Rum at Aintree in April, while he might have needed the run at Ascot (2m1f, soft) last month on his seasonal return in what was a better race than this one.
The handicapper has eased him 2lb and it's still early days for the French import, so he's given a chance to shine in the finale.
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Former Chelsea midfielder Gus Poyet has tipped his old club to win the Premier League this season. The West Londoners currently top the pile going into this weekend’s round of fixtures and have looked a force ever since Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard in January. Poyet, who made 143 appearances for the Stamford Bridge outfit, expects his former side to be in title contention.
Speaking exclusively to Genting, he said: “From the moment that they won the Champions League, in the summer I was always saying that they needed to win the Premier League.
“I think we got used to Liverpool-Man City, Man City-Liverpool, and it was like the rest, they were away from it. I expected Chelsea to challenge and I expected Manchester United to challenge.
“The system Chelsea play and the way they understand how to play is perfect to win the Premier League.
“Solid, compact, very difficult to play against and everybody knows their role.
“When Chelsea played Manchester City they were beaten by an outstanding City performance but, at the end of the day, it’s about 38 games, not only one.
“So they are definitely candidates. Between the three of Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea, one is going to be the champion and like we (professionals) always say, when you get to the last three months, depending on how much you are involved in international games and the injuries, and, with a little bit of luck, you can be the next champion.
“But Chelsea, without any doubt, are going to be there or thereabouts.”
Goals From Defence And Offence
The Uruguayan midfielder donned a Chelsea shirt in the seasons just before Roman Abramovic’s involvement. But that didn’t stop him from winning silverware, picking up FA Cup, UEFA Cup Winners Cup and UEFA Super Cup medals.
He featured in a team spearheaded by Gianfranco Zola, but this season the goals are being shared around, making Chelsea one of the country’s toughest sides.
“I think most of the teams in England will struggle against Chelsea, they will find it very difficult because Chelsea always has an answer,” Poyet explained.
“At the moment, our defenders are scoring more than the attacking players, whereas most teams rely on offensive players making the difference, Chelsea has goals from everywhere.
“In Chelsea’s last few games without Lukaku and Werner, it is the defenders or full-backs who have chipped in, every single player is doing something for the team.
“This Chelsea team, with respect, is capable of beating 14 teams, week in, week out, all the time because they find a way.
“And then titles are decided against the bigger clubs.”
The Blues welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge this weekend, whose players will be looking to prove a point under caretaker boss, Michael Carrick.
It’s this recent change in leadership that Poyet believes will make Sunday’s clash a difficult test for Chelsea.
He said: “I would like to think that we’re going to see a reaction from Manchester United.
“Without Ole there, there is nobody to take the blame, the most important thing for them is to get something going in terms of playing.
“It’s been difficult for Manchester United to maintain consistency in matches, so anything could happen in one game.
“They’ve got exceptional players and they can hurt you at any time and, in normal situations, Chelsea win this match.
“But like I said, on the day, because Manchester United have so many good individual players – anything could happen.”
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26 Nov 2021
