Man United are on the brink of sealing a top-four finish thanks to their 1-0 win over Bournemouth last weekend, while the mid-table Blues lost by the same scoreline to newly-crowned champions Manchester City.
Manchester United vs Chelsea
English Premier League
Thursday 25 May – 20:00
Old Trafford
I know what the response to this statement is going to be, but United have had an unbelievable season so far! If at the beginning of the season you told anyone associated with United that they would be in fourth place with two games to go, let alone having won a cup and in the final of the FA Cup – they would have bitten your arm off!
Yes, their away form has been questionable at times, but if ever Old Trafford was beginning to be seen as a fortress again, it is now. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not dizzy with their potential…I’m simply celebrating their possibilities.
This is a massive game for ten Hag of course, his side needs just a solitary point to secure Champions League qualification and to get it done against something of a traditional rival would be massive for their confidence looking ahead to the FA Cup final!
I don’t think United should be as short as 6/10, but Chelsea is at odds and ends at the moment, so I suppose the market is somewhat accurate. If the home side get going early and look to be direct from the off, there should be only one winner.
To Win Match
Manchester United 3/5 | Draw 16/5 | Chelsea 4/1
I’ve seen a lot of media reporting that Chelsea lacks an identity this season and that despite their influx in financial prowess, their performances have been absolutely horrendous.
I’m not sure I completely agree with the identity issue, outside of the fact that their side lack any sort of team chemistry. The individual ability available at Chelsea is scary, I mean I would go as far as to say that they have amongst the best squad in world football on paper!
I think securing a manager should have happened earlier, but in Mauricio Pochettino they have a manager who has shown he is capable of extracting the best out of players and simultaneously designing and executing a plan that can rival the best sides around.
Chelsea is a dark horse next season (you heard it here first) but in terms of this year, I suspect everyone there is looking forward to it coming to an end. I think United may want this more and so could be the right pick.
Predicted Line-ups
Manchester United: De Gea; Shaw, Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Eriksen, Casemiro, Sancho, Fernandes, Antony, Martial.
Chelsea: Kepa, Fofana, Silva, Chalobah, Hall, Loftus-Cheek, Fernandez, Azpilicueta, Gallagher, Sterling, Havertz.
Verdict: Manchester United Win (3/5)
As I said earlier, United may want this more and as a result be too much for Chelsea to handle. I suspect ten Hag will see this as a chance to wrap up the tussle for Champions League qualification, and then subsequently give some players a well-deserved rest this weekend.
The FA Cup final will no doubt creep more and more into focus – so the sooner they can get into the top four and give themselves some sort of confidence inducing victory the better!
