Premier League: Chelsea vs Manchester United - Betting Tips, Odds & Prediction

Chelsea and Manchester United go head to head at Stamford Bridge on Sunday morning New Zealand time in a Premier League fixture that could go a long way to settling the race for Champions League football.

United are seven points clear in third. A win here all but ends Chelsea’s top-four hopes - they’ve lost four of their last five league games with three consecutive blanks. But United aren’t in cruise control either after losing to Leeds on Monday, and they’ll be without both senior centre-backs.

In this Chelsea vs Manchester United preview, I’ve gone through form and the suspension chaos at the back for United. I’ve got a play in the goals market at odds above $2.50 on new betting sites offering Premier League specials this weekend.

Chelsea

I don’t know how to read Chelsea right now. Four defeats in their last five Premier League outings, zero goals in three straight. Their 3-0 loss to Manchester City at home last weekend was ugly, and their 3-0 at Everton before the international break wasn’t much better.

And yet, this is still a side that battered Aston Villa 4-1 away six weeks ago. Cole Palmer has nine league goals this season, but he hasn’t had a goal involvement in over a month. Their attack has dried up around him.

Enzo Fernandez is back after a two-match internal ban for comments about his future. I’d lean towards this being a boost - they’ve missed his passing range through midfield.

Team News: Colwill and Gittens are long-term absentees. Mudryk is suspended. Chalobah and James are doubts. Fernandez is available again.

Predicted Lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Joao Pedro.

Manchester United

United’s 2-1 loss to Leeds was a shocker. Noah Okafor scored twice before half-time and Leeds won at Old Trafford in the league for the first time since 1981. It came after a 24-day break where United hadn’t played a competitive match.

The bigger issue is at centre-back. Maguire has been given an extra one-game ban after his FA charge for swearing at the fourth official following their Bournemouth red card. He’s confirmed out. Martinez was sent off against Leeds for pulling Calvert-Lewin’s hair, and United are appealing. If their appeal fails, it’s a three-game ban.

So Carrick could be looking at Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven as his centre-back partnership. Yoro is 19, Heaven 18. Against a desperate Chelsea, that’s a concern.

Bruno Fernandes can bail them out though. Eight goals and 16 assists in the league this season, and he scored in the reverse fixture.

Team News: Maguire is suspended. Martinez likely suspended pending appeal. De Ligt and Dorgu are long-term absentees. Mainoo is expected back after a knock, while Dalot should be fit after illness too.

Predicted Lineup: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Sesko.

• Chelsea have failed to score in three consecutive Premier League matches.
• Manchester United have scored in 20 straight league games.
• United won the reverse fixture 2-1 at Old Trafford in September, with both teams reduced to 10 men.
• Chelsea have won twice at home in the league since Christmas.
• Four of United’s last five away league matches have produced goals from both sides.

I’m not confident backing either side here. Chelsea can’t win, and United can’t defend, not with the personnel available.

What I do think is that we’ll see goals. United’s teenage centre-back pairing will be under pressure, and Chelsea will be reckless going forward because they need points. Fernandes and Sesko will find space on the counter.

It wouldn’t shock me if this ended up being one of those open, messy games that neither side really controls. I’m leaning towards a draw - 2-2 or maybe 1-1. 

If you’re following this on live betting sites, there could be value in watching how the first 20 minutes play out. Chelsea might start with intent, but I wouldn’t be surprised if United nick one and the game opens right up.

Both Teams to Score @ $1.72

United have scored in 20 straight Premier League games. That run isn’t likely to end against a Chelsea side missing Colwill and likely without Chalobah too. Fernandes and Amad Diallo against Yoro and Heaven will create chances.

Chelsea’s scoreless run is the worry on the other side - they’re three blanks in a row. But Palmer is too good to go four without being involved in a goal, and Fernandez’s return should improve their chance creation. 

I also think football betting odds of $1.72 are generous given how leaky both defences have been. United have conceded in seven of their last nine away league fixtures.

At that price, I’m happy enough to back both sides finding the net.