Joao Pedro out for several weeks: Chelsea lose top scorer for Liverpool and Manchester United

The absence already tasted of a lost derby. Joao Pedro felt his thigh in training on Friday, the day before the 0-2 defeat against Tottenham, and missed the game. On Tuesday, Xabi Alonso put a timeline on it: “He has an injury on his thigh, and he is going to be out for a few weeks. Let’s see how many; we don’t want to predict on that,” he told Reuters. The Athletic had mentioned a knee; further tests are still sizing the injury.

What Chelsea lose shows in the numbers: five goals and three assists in seven games this season, the club’s top scorer. Only Haaland and Isak have scored more than him in the Premier League.

Emegha, first option at Anfield

The first test without him comes quickly: Liverpool away on Wednesday, in the last sixteen of the Carabao Cup. Alonso already has a name, Emegha, the summer signing. “For sure it’s important that we have him available because he has special qualities. He needs to feel fully fit,” he said on the club’s website.

The odds have yet to move

Saturday (12:30 GMT at Stamford Bridge) brings a Manchester United side 16th and winless in five. On Tuesday’s snapshot the market had priced none of it: Chelsea still trade at 1.90 with 1xbet, and United at 4.15 with Betano. That is the number I will watch until kick-off: a side stripped of its top scorer rarely finishes the week at the same price. 18+. Only bet what you can afford to lose.