Manchester United vs Chelsea betting preview: odds and predictions

MANCHESTER United will bid to secure a place in next season’s Champions League – and kill off Liverpool’s hopes – when they host out-of-sorts Chelsea on Thursday night.

Manchester United vs Chelsea odds

Manchester United vs Chelsea betting preview

One point from two games is the simple equation for Manchester United to secure their place in next season’s Champions League.

That would deny great rivals Liverpool a top-four spot and tick off Erik ten Hag’s main goal for his first season at Old Trafford.

You may well have seen social-media posts about ten Hag having suffered more league defeats than his predecessors but after 36 games he’s accumulated more points than in all bar two post-Alex Ferguson seasons.

And two home wins from here (another mid-table side, Fulham, follow on Sunday) will ensure that only Jose Mourinho’s 2017/18 bunch did better.

While the trolls will tell you different, United look a proper team with a plan under ten Hag and for those wanting statistical evidence, just look at the defence.

Despite plenty of injuries in that department, United have conceded only eight times at home and even when you throw in their disappointing away record, only champions Man City and Newcastle have let in fewer goals.

That’s a nod to the best bet here – United to win to nil is at 2/1 despite is happening nine times already at Old Trafford this season.

Chelsea look pretty toothless under Frank Lampard – they are just waiting for this miserable season to end. Overall, they’ve scored only 17 away goals which is the fourth-worst total in the Premier League.

They have nothing to play for here with a bottom-half finish already guaranteed. It will be their first since 1995/96 when Ruud Gullit, Eddie Newton and David Lee were staples of the team.

Another disappointing night awaits, one suspects.

Best betting offers for Manchester United vs Chelsea

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Manchester United vs Chelsea key stats

• Chelsea come into this game having won just one of their last 12, losing eight. They have scored only nine goals during that run.
• In their 19 games against the bottom half so far, Manchester United have won 12 of them ‘to nil’.
• The last five matches between these two sides have all been drawn, with all five also landing the under 2.5 goals bet.
• Having missed the last two games, United’s top scorer Marcus Rashford returned to training this week after illness.
• Chelsea will again be without a host of players with defender Benoit Badiashile having joined the injury list. Joao Felix and Mason Mount are among those rated doubtful.

Manchester United vs Chelsea best bets

Man Utd to win to nil

United have been rock solid at home, winning 13 of 17 and conceding only eight goals. Nine of those 13 wins have seen this bet land.

Unsurprisingly, their record is even better against teams in the bottom half – seven wins from nine at Old Trafford, six without conceding.

Chelsea are struggling for results and goals – it’s just one win and eight defeats in 12 for the Blues, with only nine goals scored in that run.

Bruno Fernandes and Antony 1+ shot on target each

A case of computer says yes.

This bet has landed in 11 of the last 12 Old Trafford games these two have featured in, yet you’re getting odds-against.

Fernandes has certainly had his shooting boots on of late and has delivered a shot on target in nine of his last 10 starts, while Antony isn’t afraid to let fly when the opportunity arises – he’s had a SOT in seven of his last 10 starts.

Chelsea have given up 10 shots on target in three of their last eight games and their poor form suggests they will be on the back foot plenty here.

Thiago Silva 1+ shot on target

For those seeking a bigger price, Thiago Silva certainly has potential in this market at 7/1.

This bet has won in three of the Brazilian’s last 11 appearances which immediately makes the odds look big.

And when you also take into account that United have given up more shots from set-plays than all bar Bournemouth, Leicester and Forest, there certainly looks to be some value on offer here.

How to watch Manchester United vs Chelsea

• Location: Old Trafford Stadium, Old Trafford, England.
• Time: Thursday, May 25, 20:00 BST.
• Where to watch: Sky Sports Premier League and Main Event

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