Sunday sees a clash between the two of most embattled managers in the Premiership, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Maurizio Sarri. Both must find their jobs incredibly frustrating at the moment. After all, they have teams full of top-class players and it’s not like anyone is dragging their feet. Everyone is trying their best, but there’s something wrong somewhere; the goals just aren’t coming and opportunities are being missed.
In Chelsea’s case, it was a failure to capitalise on everyone else’s mistakes. Arsenal, Spurs and United all lost last weekend, giving the Blues the chance to cement a top 4 place. But they gave up a two-goal lead to Burnley and nothing really changed. United’s options during the mid-week derby were slightly less fun given that no matter what happened, one of their two biggest rivals would benefit. Now both are hoping that they end up in the top four, and with Chelsea being in the driving seat. They’re in fourth place, three points ahead of United and have the opportunity to all but finish off the Red Devils’ hopes for the season.
Manchester United vs Chelsea Predictions
There’s very little separating the two, with our bookies giving Chelsea a fractional edge. At least a draw seems unlikely, but the difference is likely to come down to each team’s star strikers. Paul Pogba was apologetic after a drab performance in the Derby and will need to distinguish himself if he wants to avoid being sold (assuming he wants to stay). Eden Hazard, on the other hand, is finally about to be sold to Real Madrid. The Chelsea faithful will be hoping for a final show to remember.
Manchester United vs Chelsea Betting Tips
- Manchester United to win – 33/20
- Draw – 47/20
- Chelsea – 17/10
- Chelsea to win and both to score – 33/10
Manchester United vs Chelsea Head To Head
- United have a good record historically against Chelsea, having won almost twice as many games as they’ve drawn or lost.
- Of their two meetings this season, they drew in the Premier League and United won in the FA Cup – but this was during Ole Gunnar’s amazing early run.
- Olivier Giroud has scored four times in his last five starts, so he’ll be one to watch on Sunday.
Manchester United Team News
In his attempts to make something happen at United, Solskjaer has been experimenting. This meant dropping Romelu Lukaku, Anthony Martial and Nemanja Matic from Wednesday’s line-up and having Pogba and Rashford backing up Jesse Lingard. However, despite Lingard coming close at times, this didn’t really work out, so it’s back to the drawing board for the hero of ’99. In goal, David de Gea’s recent run of form has been woeful, so he’ll need to impress if he’s going to finish the season. Chances are that Scott McTominay will find himself back in the team after being excluded from the derby.
Manchester United starting XI: David de Gea, Matteo Darmian, Chris Smalling, Victor Lindelof, Luke Shaw, Nemanja Matic, Scott McTominay, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard, Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford
Chelsea Team News
Callum Hudson-Odoi’s season looks to be over after rupturing his Achilles during the draw against Burnley. Antonio Rudiger is probably still out with a dodgy knee, whereas Marcos Alonso has what is generously referred to as a ‘glute injury’, the poor lamb.
Chelsea starting XI: Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cesar Azpilicueta, Andreas Christensen, David Luiz, Emerson Palmieri, Mateo Kovacic, Jorginho, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Pedro, Gonzalo Higuain, Eden Hazard
