Chelsea vs Man United Lines & EPL Preview
Underperforming Giants Face Off
Chelsea Playing in Shootouts as of Late
There’s no denying Chelsea and Manchester United are two of the Premier League’s most iconic clubs. Between them, they’ve won 18 titles in the Premier League era and four Champions League trophies in the modern era. However, they’ve both fallen on difficult times and are fighting just to play in European competition next season. Heading into Thursday’s matchup at Stamford Bridge, Chelsea are in 11th place in the EPL and Man United are in sixth. In an important match for both sides, we’ll check out the Chelsea vs Man United lines.
Chelsea vs Manchester United
Date, time:
Location: Stamford Bridge, London, England
Chelsea vs Man United Head-to-Head
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 12 matches vs. Chelsea on the EPL schedule. In the reverse fixture, back in December, Scott McTominay scored a double as Man United defeated Chelsea 2-1. However, the pregame Chelsea vs Man United lines listed hosts United as +180 underdogs. United have won the last two meetings overall but the last three at Stamford Bridge have finished in draws. Chelsea did defeat United in the 2020 FA Cup Semifinal but their last EPL victory in this fixture was in 2017.
Chelsea Can’t Keep a Clean Sheet
Chelsea couldn’t take advantage of a man advantage vs. relegation-threatened Burnley on Saturday. Burnley went down to ten men in the 40th minute, when Lorenz Assignon received a second yellow card for a foul on Mykhailo Mudryk in the penalty area. Cole Palmer took the ensuing PK and cheekily used a Panenka kick to score. Burnley were undeterred and Josh Cullen scored a brilliant volley in the beginning of the second half.
Palmer doubled his tally on the night after Raheem Sterling’s backheel pass that split the Burnley defense. Still, Burnley managed to score on a corner in the 81st minute and when the match finished 2-2 boos rang around Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were simply wasteful in front of goal, with 33 total shots and just two goals. Still, they are unbeaten in their last five Premier League games and have scored at least twice in their last three. Following Matchday 30, Cole Palmer ranked fifth in the EPL stats, with 21 goal contributions.
The problem is that Chelsea have also conceded at least two goals in their last three and haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven EPL matches. As of the end of Matchday 30, the Blues were still in 11th place in the EPL. Coach Mauricio Pochettino recently lamented Chelsea’s injury problems and a bunch of players are still out. Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell and Robert Sanchez are all listed as questionable. Meanwhile, Carney Chukwuemeka, Levi Colwill, Christopher Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Reece James and Wesley Fofana are out.
Pair of Defenders Injured for Man United
Manchester United conceded 31 shots to Brentford on Saturday. United looked out of sorts and Brentford hit the woodwork multiple times in the match. Miraculously scoreless heading into stoppage time, it was actually United who found a breakthrough. Mason Mount, who came on as a substitute, scored his first goal for the Red Devils to put them ahead with minutes to play. The goal could kickstart his United career, as he’s spent most of his time on the treatment table since joining last Summer.
However, United conceded to Brentford just two minutes later and settled for a 1-1 draw. Following Matchday 30, United are 11 points outside of the top four and their Champions League hopes are quickly fading away. The outright Premier League odds list the Red Devils as +1600 long shots to finish in the top four. United have also only scored 40 Premier League goals this season, which is three fewer than 18th-placed Luton Town.
Plus, defenders Raphael varane and Victor Lindelof both went off injured vs. Brentford and it’s unclear whether either will be able to play on Thursday. Expect Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez to start in central defense if not. Left backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are also out injured, while Jonny Evans and Anthony Martial are doubtful. Bettors should note that Manchester United have only lost two of their last nine Premier League games.
Chelsea vs Man United Match Analysis & Odds
Chelsea are -105 ATS and moneyline favorites for Thursday’s match and they’ve lost just one of their last 15 matches at Stamford Bridge, in all competitions. The Chelsea vs Man United lines also price the visitors as +235 underdogs. Man United have had Chelsea’s number in recent seasons and United +0.5 shows -115 odds. Bettors should recall each of the last three meetings at Stamford Bridge have finished all square.
A draw sits at +305 odds for this one and should it finish level, it’d mark the first time all season Manchester United draw back-to-back games. Both teams are dealing with their fair share of injuries here, which means both managers will have to improvise. Regardless, the Red Devils are on an 11 game Premier League scoring streak. Meanwhile, Chelsea have averaged two goals per game over their last five EPL matches.
Here, under 3.5 goals are priced at -120 odds but it wouldn’t at all be shocking if both teams got on the scoresheet here. After all, both teams have scored in each of Chelsea’s last seven Premier League matches. With pressure building on Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino, the Blues desperately need a result here.
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