Chelsea vs. Manchester United: 5 Bold Predictions When Blues Visit Old Trafford

In what will be the best match of the weekend, top-ranked Manchester United will host third-ranked Chelsea. Although it's early in the season, it looks as though both clubs will extend their dominance over the English Premier League for at least another year.

Manchester United bring a perfect record to Old Trafford fans this Sunday. Chelsea, if not for an opening week draw against Stoke City, would do the same. Fans of both sides see this as an important match in the early part of the season.

Chelsea haven't had the best record against Manchester United, going 1-6-1 in their last eight meetings in the EPL, but they look to turn that around and continue to hold on to their place in the top four.

There will be a very important three points on the table for both teams, and these are my predictions for Sunday's match at Old Trafford.

Chelsea Will Score Within First 15 Minutes

There are some holes in Manchester United's starting lineup: captain and defender Nemanja Vidic is still nursing a calf injury, and defensive midfielder Tom Cleverley is out for a month with ligament damage to his foot.

In their places are Patrice Evra, an experienced defender who has played for the French national team, and Michael Carrick, an infrequently used substitute at defensive midfielder.

Although Evra is quite good at defense, his 5'8" frame sometimes concedes goals on corner kicks and set pieces. And Carrick has been inconsistent, sometimes looking confused and unaware of where he is and where teammates are on the field.

I suspect that Chelsea will do all they can to put Manchester United on the defensive with an early goal, either attacking Carrick in the open field or targeting Evra on an early set piece.

Nicolas Anelka Will Start for Didier Drogba—and He Will Score

Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has already ruled out Didier Drogba, opting to rest him as he recovers from the head injury that he suffered against Norwich on August 27. That means there's a hole to fill in the front line, and it will be filled by either Nicolas Anelka or Fernando Torres.

I think Villas-Boas continues to sit Torres and goes with Anelka. I also think the Chelsea manager will be rewarded for the decision with a goal from the French striker.

Anelka doesn't suffer from a lack of chances. He's already scored this season, and in the two EPL matches he's started, he's had 11 shots on goal (six of which were on target). I see Anelka taking advantage of his start and getting his second goal of the season against a Manchester United defense that is constantly being reorganized by manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

Raul Meireles Will Provide Two Assists

Raul Meireles has fit in very easily to Chelsea, assisting Daniel Sturridge in his first match with his new team with a beautiful through ball against Sunderland.

I predict it will be more of the same on Sunday against Manchester United as Meireles, who's one of the better all-around midfielders in the league, has had another week to train with the rest of the starting lineup. The Portuguese player is known for his passing, but he's a physical player that fights for the ball and gets it off quickly and accurately to teammates.

Meireles has a keen awareness of where his teammates are on the field and will be involved in two scores for Chelsea this Sunday. He won't be the one putting it in the back of the net, but his teammates will know who got them the ball and credit him for it.

Michael Carrick Will Be at Fault for a Goal

It's a shame that Drogba couldn't be in this lineup. Manchester United is missing key players on defense and in the midfield, and I think Chelsea will score at least two goals.

Midfielder Tom Cleverley will be out for a month with ligament damage to his foot after a tackle by Bolton's Kevin Davies, and that means that Michael Carrick will start. 

Manager Sir Alex Ferguson relies on Carrick to play defense, and I think his lack of experience and tendency to play nervous in big games will lead to his letting a Chelsea attack get the better of him.

As an unused substitute for most of the season, Carrick hasn't inspired much confidence. In the Champions League match against Benfica, Carrick could be described as average at best. The only time he was of notice was when he was when he was booked for his yellow card. 

On Sunday, he'll be playing in place of a younger, faster Cleverley, and I think he will be directly to blame for one of the goals Chelsea scores on Sunday.

Chelsea Will Defeat Manchester United 3-2

This early season matchup will be a very good indication of how Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas has prepared his team. There's no better test than to go up against the champions, and this will be Villas-Boas' first step into this storied rivalry.

And the first chapter for the new manager will be a win in Old Trafford because of the strong defense and midfield that Chelsea has shown all season.

Against Stoke City, Chelsea were masterful, breaking up possessions, holding the ball for 66 percent and only allowing one shot on target. If not for a cheap goal at the beginning of the West Brom match, Chelsea would have earned a clean sheet, leading in time of possession by 66 percent. Chelsea again dominated the time of possession in their win against Norwich, holding the ball for an amazing 70 percent of the match. And in their most recent match against Sunderland, Chelsea held for 60 percent of the match and only allowed three shots.

I think it will much of the same for Chelsea, who will look to hold possession and will do so because of Manchester United's injuries in the midfield and defense.

I predict that Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young get on the score sheet for United and that Nicolas Anelka, Frank Lampard and Daniel Sturridge find the back of the net for Chelsea.