Ace Football previews the Premier League match between Chelsea and Manchester United, and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
One of the biggest fixtures on Sunday sees Chelsea and Manchester United lock horns at Stamford Bridge for a Premier League clash.
The stakes are high for both teams, who sit six points apart in the league table, for their latest encounter. Anything less than victory could pull the plug on United’s title hopes, with the second-placed side trailing leaders Manchester City by 13 points. While Chelsea can reclaim a spot in the top-four with maximum points in London.
An intense and close affair, therefore, is expected in the English capital. Both clubs are desperate to win for obvious reasons and cannot afford any room for error, meaning there could be little to separate them in this blockbuster showdown.
Chelsea Form & Stats
A 1-0 Champions League triumph over Atletico Madrid extended Thomas Tuchel’s unbeaten start. The German has won six of his opening eight games (D2) since he replaced Frank Lampard as Chelsea manager in January.
Tuchel’s full focus will now be on the next four matches against Manchester United, Liverpool, Everton, and Leeds. Each one will prove a challenge, and how he fares could decide Chelsea’s top-four hopes in the Premier League.
The Blues’ improved defense, meanwhile, will be put to the test against the free-scoring United, who they haven’t beaten in the league since November 2017. Pressure will also fall on the forwards, particularly the struggling Timo Werner, to make the difference. They still haven’t quite ticked under Tuchel yet, which may prove decisive on Sunday.
Key Team Stats
- Thomas Tuchel has won 6 of his opening 8 games as manager (D2).
- Haven’t scored more than two goals in a game under Tuchel so far.
- Kept 6 clean sheets in their last 8 games in all competitions.
- The club’s leading league goalscorer Tammy Abraham hasn’t played over 45 minutes in a match under Tuchel so far.
- Only won 2 of their last 10 games against Manchester United in all competitions (D3 L5).
- Olivier Giroud has scored 3 goals in 6 appearances against Manchester United in all competitions.
Manchester United Form & Stats
A goalless stalemate against Real Sociedad midweek sealed Manchester United a spot in the Europa League last-16 through a 4-0 aggregate victory. It wasn’t their finest performance at Old Trafford, but it got the job done all the same.
Things in the Premier League, however, have taken an unfortunate turn. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side have won just three of their last eight games (D4 L1) to lose ground to Manchester City, who currently sit 13 points ahead in the title battle, and winless in their last two away league games (D2).
Despite these recent setbacks, United remain unbeaten on the road this season (W8 D4) and have scored a league-best of 53 goals. Bruno Fernandes has been a key factor behind this stat through his scoring prowess and creativity. The midfielder has also had over 2.5 shots in 15 of his last 19 appearances, and he’s scored in each of his last four league games.
Key Team Stats
- Won only 3 of their last 8 league games (D4 L1).
- Only lost once in their last 19 league games (W12 D6).
- Unbeaten in their 7 games against the current top-7 clubs (W2 D5).
- Marcus Rashford has managed 5 goals and 3 assists in 12 games against Chelsea in all competitions.
- Bruno Fernandes has made 35 goal contributions in 38 appearances in all competitions (22 goals, 13 assists).
- Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has won all 3 of his games as the club’s manager away to Chelsea.
Team News
Chelsea
Out: Thiago Silva.
Doubts: N/A.
Manchester United
Out: Paul Pogba, Juan Mata, Phil Jones, Scott McTominay.
Doubts: Donny van de Beek, Edinson Cavani, Daniel James.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Top Goalscorers in the Premier League
Head-To-Head Record
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the Premier League.