Verdict: Chelsea win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
Looking to claim an immediate response and take a giant leap towards booking a Champions League ticket, Chelsea will welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Friday night.
Chelsea
Starting with the hosts, eventually falling to a 2-0 loss away at Newcastle last weekend, Chelsea know the importance of claiming an immediate response here. Heading into their penultimate top-flight fixture of the season, Enzo Maresca’s men find their goal difference keeping them in the Champions League spots. Booking their place in the final of this season’s Europa Conference League earlier in the month as they secured a 5-1 aggregate win against Swedish outfit Djurgarden, the former Leicester boss has seen his squad win five of their previous six appearances across all competitions. Smelling a golden opportunity on Friday night, Chelsea will be excited to make a return to west London here. Along with winning their last three straight showdowns at Stamford Bridge by an aggregate score of 5-1, the Blues have also suffered just a single defeat in front of their own supporters so far this calendar year.
Chelsea Team News
Shown a first-half red card away at Newcastle last weekend, Senegal international Nicolas Jackson will not make another Premier League appearance this season. Likewise, not featuring since returning from March’s international break, Wesley Fofana remains on the sidelines with a hamstring injury.
Skipper Recce James could make a first Premier League start since April 20th. While attacking talisman Cole Palmer might have recorded just a single strike across all competitions since the middle of January, the former Manchester City starlet will play a leading role here.
Manchester United
As for the visitors, while Manchester United might have stormed their way to the final of this season’s Europa League thanks to a 7-1 aggregate win against Spanish outfit Athletic Bilbao, Ruben Amorim’s men find themselves at the heart of an infamous domestic rut. Crashing back down to earth last weekend as they fell to a 2-0 defeat at home against West Ham, the former Sporting Lisbon boss has made it clear that his position at Old Trafford is far from certain. Breaking a string of unwanted records this season and opening Friday’s trip to the capital sat way down in 16th, Man United have rightfully come under a tremendous amount of scrutiny. Falling to a 4-3 loss when they travelled to Stamford Bridge last season, the Red Devils will certainly be bracing themselves for another stern examination this weekend.
Manchester United Team News
Limping off against West Ham last weekend with a reported muscle issue, Manchester United are expected to be without Leny Yoro on Friday night. Likewise, all still dealing with season-ending issues, Amorim will once again be unable to call upon the likes of Lisandro Martinez and Dutch international Joshua Zirkzee.
England international Harry Maguire should be handed a full recall at the heart of Amorim’s defence at Stamford Bridge. Recording 13 goals across all competitions so far this calendar year, skipper Bruno Fernandes will shoulder plenty of United’s goalscoring threat.
Chelsea vs Manchester United Key Factors to Consider
- When Chelsea welcomed Manchester United to Stamford Bridge last season, the Blues collected an action-packed 4-3 victory.
- Man United have failed to muster a single win from any of their previous seven consecutive Premier League appearances.
- Chelsea have won their last three matchups in west London across all competitions by an aggregate score of 5-1.
- Likewise, the Blues have suffered just a single defeat at Stamford Bridge so far this calendar year.
- United have claimed just a single domestic victory away from Old Trafford since the end of January.
Conclusion
Eventually falling to a 2-0 loss away at Newcastle last weekend, Chelsea know the importance of claiming an immediate response here. Excited to make a return to west London on Friday night, the Blues have continued to shine on home soil. Along with winning their previous three showdowns at Stamford Bridge by an aggregate score of 5-1, they have also suffered just a sole defeat in front of their own supporters so far this calendar year. Landing a dramatic 4-3 win when they welcomed Manchester United to the capital last season, we are backing Chelsea to take a giant leap towards booking a Champions League ticket.
Verdict: Chelsea win & Under 4.5 goals
Best Odds: 19/20
Bookmaker: Olympusbet
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