With Lampard looking to play an enterprising style of football, Al Hain-Cole expects a fittingly entertaining opening encounter with the Red Devils
Manchester United and Chelsea will be hoping to start their Premier League campaigns with a statement win when they meet at Old Trafford on Sunday.
The Red Devils slumped to a disappointing sixth-placed finish after a difficult season last time out, but will be targeting a major improvement after splashing out on Harry Maguire and Aaron Wan-Bissaka this summer.
Latest odds
Indeed, they are 11/10 (2.10) favourites with bet365 to get the season off to an exciting start with a big win here.
However, Frank Lampard’s team has only lost three of their last 19 meetings with this opposition, and are available at 5/2 (3.50) to come out on top here.
Both of last season’s league encounters between this pair resulted in a draw, and you can get odds of 23/10 (3.30) on them cancelling each other out once again.
Team news
Paul Pogba is a doubt after missing the final pre-season game with a back problem, while Eric Bailly is a long-term absentee.
Antonio Rudiger, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, and Callum Hudson-Odoi are all sidelined, although N’Golo Kante should start after returning for the final pre-season friendly.
Preview
There is no doubt this is the game of the Premier League’s opening weekend, and it seems fair to expect a fittingly entertaining spectacle.
Having implemented an attractive style of play in his debut managerial season at Derby County, Lampard has shown a similar emphasis on attack since returning to Stamford Bridge this summer.
Although they kept just one clean sheet in their seven pre-season friendlies, they averaged almost three goals a game and hit 11 in just the final three – conceding eight.
Predictions
Considering the attacking talent available to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, odds of 3/4 (1.75) are well worth backing on both sides finding the net for the third consecutive encounter between this pair.
All odds correct at time of publish. Please gamble responsibly.
Both teams to score for a 2pt stake at 3/4 (1.75) with bet365
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