Premier League: Chelsea Won’t Stand in United’s Way

Manchester United vs Chelsea

With two games of the league season to play, Erik Ten Hag’s Manchester United are on the cusp of Champions League qualification.

The Red Devils just need one more point to join Newcastle United in next season’s flagship competition and keep fierce rivals Liverpool on the outside, and Premier League: Manchester United vs Chelsea gives them the perfect opportunity. Frank Lampard has had a torrid time since he took over as interim manager at Stamford Bridge on 6^th April and it seems highly unlikely he’ll spring a surprise at Old Trafford, as the two teams arrive at this point on the back of contrasting seasons.

Manchester United won 1-0 away to Bournemouth last week while Chelsea come into the game on the back of a limp 1-0 defeat away to champions Manchester City, and those two results sum up the campaigns of both teams, as the Red Devils have ground out wins when they need them while the Blues have been all too ready to roll over, and that makes this a fourth versus 12^th clash.

Talking Points

Red Devils can still finish on a high

Manchester United fans are getting a little weary of hearing about Manchester City’s latest league title as the Sky Blue side of the city continues its seemingly endless celebrations. But this could turn out to be a fine campaign for the Red Devils if they can finish the season with three wins. A victory over Chelsea (or even a point) will confirm their top four place; then a win at home to Fulham on Saturday will see them finish in third place.

But the prize United fans want the most is a victory on 3^rd June in front of a packed Wembley crowd against Manchester City. If they can somehow beat the Sky Blues and stop them achieving a famous treble that would be so, so sweet for the Old Trafford faithful. Either way, a third placed finish and a Carabao Cup triumph is more than most expected when Ten Hag took over last summer. He’s done a fine job in steering the club back on course. They have a way to go to challenge for the title but the Red Devils are in the right direction.

United’s trip to the south coast to meet Bournemouth went pretty well as they eased to a 1-0 win thanks to a spectacular Casemiro volley early in the game. On Thursday night Liverpool fans will be watching the Manchester United vs Chelsea updates with hope in their hearts, but I expect them to be disappointed.

The summer can’t come soon enough for Chelsea

What can we say about Chelsea other than, maybe, ‘things can’t get any worse’ as they sit in the embarrassing position of 12^th in the league table, sandwiched between Crystal Palace and Wolverhampton Wanderers. Well things could actually get worse for the Blues if they fail to pick up any more points and Wolves win their last game of the campaign against Arsenal…and I certainly wouldn’t rule that out!

Looking upwards, Chelsea can overtake the Eagles and finish 11^th, but a top half finish is long gone as they trail tenth placed Fulham by nine points. That’s what two changes of manager and a scattergun spending spree gets for you.

Owner Todd Boehly has tried to make his mark and he has brought some exciting young talents to the club in Mykhailo Mudryk and Enzo Fernandez, and Joao Felix if he makes his move from Atletico Madrid permanent. But Chelsea are not playing as a team, as well as being hampered by injuries. The Manchester United vs Chelsea betting odds reckon the Blues will suffer a sixth loss in eight Premier League games and with key players, Ben Chilwell, Reece James and Mason Mount all sidelined I can’t really argue with that.

History

Chelsea have had the better of the head to heads against Manchester United, with 26 wins to 24 in all competitions since 1993, though the last five meetings have all ended in a draw, three at 1-1 and two goalless.

With one win, one draw and four defeats in the last four games the Blues are in a fairly deep gloom while Manchester United, with three wins, a draw and two defeats will hope to finish the campaign strongly.

And with a home record of 13 wins, three draws and a single defeat in the league the Red Devils should be confident of another victory, particularly as Chelsea have failed to win on their last nine visits to Old Trafford.

Betting Tip

The Red Devils are big favourites at SBOTOP odds of 1.57 to win this game and 3.73 to draw, with the Blues at 4.55 to pick up a rare victory.

I’m pretty sure the hosts will get at least a point to guarantee their top four place, but I think the value is a bet on another low scoring game between these two.

 

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