Chelsea vs Manchester United predictions and betting tips – Top-five rivals clash

Chelsea and Manchester United are both aiming to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish in the Premier League. Chelsea have ground to make up, while United are not over the line yet.

This looks set to be a decisive game for both teams. Will Chelsea return to winning ways after a bout of poor form, or can United come away with all three points?

• Manchester United to win – 17/10 with Midnite
• Over 2.5 goals and both teams to score – 4/5 with 247Bet
• Bruno Fernandes to score or assist – 10/11 with Sky Bet

Chelsea vs Manchester United odds

Find the latest Chelsea vs Manchester United betting odds here. All odds are provided by our recommended football bookmakers and are subject to change.

Chelsea vs Manchester United predictions

Manchester United missed the chance to take a giant step towards Champions League qualification on Monday night.

A victory over Leeds United would have moved United 10 points clear of Chelsea in sixth. With only six fixtures remaining, that sort of lead would surely have proved insurmountable.

Instead, United lost 2-1 to their rivals, as Leeds secured their first league win at Old Trafford in 45 years. As such, the Red Devils still have work to do as they bid to return to Europe’s table.

Of course, United are in a pretty good position. A seven-point advantage over Chelsea is substantial. A victory this weekend would in effect confirm their qualification.

On the other hand, a defeat would leave them at risk of being overtaken by Chelsea, even though a four-point lead would still make United favourites.

Michael Carrick’s team were not at their best against Leeds. Many felt the red card shown to Lisandro Martinez was harsh, but United were already 2-0 down at that point.

No team in the division has collected as many points as United since Carrick’s arrival, but they have now won just one of their last four matches. If Carrick is to get the job on a long-term basis, he probably needs to ensure United do not limp over the finish line this season.

“We didn’t start the game particularly well,” Carrick admitted following the Leeds defeat. “We didn’t quite have the rhythm. We didn’t click. We had some moments but it wasn’t quite there for the first half.”

Despite that defeat, there is still a sense of optimism around Old Trafford. The same cannot be said for the mood at Stamford Bridge.

A 3-0 defeat by Manchester City last weekend means Chelsea head into this game four points adrift of the top five. The same gap separates them from Fulham in 12th – and the way things are going, Chelsea coule in d easily drop down a few places in the weeks ahead.

Things are not going well for Liam Rosenior, whose appointment back in January was greeted with suspicion by Chelsea fans due to the perception of the former Strasbourg head coach as a company man for the club’s owners.

If you exclude a victory over League One side Port Vale in the FA Cup, Chelsea have lost five games in a row in all competitions, and failed to score in four of them.

Chelsea vs Manchester United betting tips

Two Champions League contenders go head-to-head as Chelsea host Manchester United.

More woes for Chelsea

This feels like a must-win game for Chelsea. Triumphing over Manchester United would move them within a point of Liverpool ahead of their game against Everton on Sunday.

A defeat, however, would potentially leave Chelsea seven points adrift of the top five by the end of the weekend, by which time they could be as low as 10th in the table.

Unfortunately for the Blues, we expect their run of poor form to continue. United have not been great of late, but they are better suited to playing the big teams.

Indeed, Carrick has already overseen victories over Manchester City, Arsenal and Aston Villa, the other teams in the top four. United can get the job done in west London.

Back Manchester United to win at 17/10 with Midnite

No clean sheets?

Chelsea have not scored in four matches. Needless to say, if they continue to be so lacklustre in attack, they will end up finishing halfway down the Premier League table.

Manchester United have not exactly been formidable defensively of late, though. Martinez is suspended for Saturday’s showdown at Stamford Bridge, denying them their best centre-half.

Chelsea can end their goal drought against a United team that has gone five consecutive games without a clean sheet.

But the Blues have also had their fair share of problems at the back, conceding in each of their last 10 Premier League outings.

Go for over 2.5 goals and both teams to score at 4/5 with 247Bet

Fernandes to have influence

Bruno Fernandes provided another assist on Monday night, setting up Casemiro’s goal for Manchester United.

The Portugal international is now only four assists away from breaking the Premier League single-season record of 20.

As well as those 17 assists, he has chipped in with eight goals this season. Only Erling Haaland has more direct goal involvements to his name.

Against a shaky Chelsea backline, Fernandes is likely to have plenty of joy at Stamford Bridge this weekend.

Tip Bruno Fernandes to score or assist at 10/11 with Sky Bet

Chelsea vs Manchester United predicted lineups

• Chelsea expected lineup: Sanchez; Gusto, Fofana, Hato, Cucurella; Caicedo, Santos; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro.
• Manchester United expected lineup: Lammens; Dalot, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw; Casemiro, Mainoo; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.

Where to watch Chelsea vs Manchester United

• Location: Stamford Bridge, London, England.
• Date and time: Saturday 18th April, 8pm.
• How to watch: TNT Sports 1.

More Premier League predictions

We have plenty more Premier League predictions and picks – find our latest betting tips from expert punters in our match preview overview.

About the author

Greg Lea

Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.

Follow Greg on X: @GregLeaFootball

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