With three UEFA competitions, including the 2023 Champions League, the final pair decided, we have a rare midweek break from European football. That makes way for the best domestic fixtures and on Thursday we see Manchester United and Chelsea clash at Old Trafford from 20:00 GMT.
The Red Devils will be hoping to use home advantage to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League and a place in next season’s Champions League. Securing the riches offered by UEFA’s premier tournament is a must for a team with such exits at the Theater of Dreams. Their opponents are languishing in 12th place and have underperformed in their last two games.
The stats attached to this game show that these teams are no strangers to playing important games in front of large global audiences. Football fans who enjoy making predictions based on stats and form will be pleased to know that each of the last three games between Man Utd and Chelsea have ended 1-1, with the previous five finishes level. Should we brace ourselves for another draw or can the hosts claim all three points?
United hold
Manchester United started the week in fourth place in the Premier League table, with their statistics for the season showing 21 wins, six draws and nine defeats, with 52 goals scored and 41 conceded. The 69 points earned leave them level on points with third-placed Newcastle, but the hosts have won two on the bounce and are looking for a hat-trick.
A home win on Thursday night could move United up to third, which is as high as they could finish this season with leaders Manchester City and runners-up Arsenal miles away. It hasn’t been the successful season United fans were hoping for, but a top-four finish gives them a solid foundation to plan for next season. It takes a final push, but the locals step in confidently.
Be there
With a maximum of six points from their last two games, United know another win will lift them above Newcastle for the bronze medal. Having already beaten Wolves 2-0 and away to Bournemouth 1-0, United have what it takes to add a third win to see off a resurgent Liverpool who move up to fifth in the league.
Fans are feeling blue
It’s been a season to forget for everyone at Stamford Bridge. The club’s ownership changed and a bright future followed by a free Christmas in the winter transfer window. Chelsea brought in some huge names but the new faces struggled to fit into their new surroundings.
Reading the form, it’s easy to see why the London side are mid-table and going nowhere fast. They travel to Manchester with a record of 11 wins, 10 draws and 15 losses with 36 goals scored and 42 conceded. That’s shockingly bad from a club capable of much better. The Blues have suffered as many defeats as Bournemouth in 15, which worries fans.
The visitors arrive at Old Trafford having won just one of their last five games and picked up a point from their previous two. Chelsea drew 2-2 at home to Nottingham Forest before losing 1-0 to Manchester City in Lancashire on Sunday. The losing club put up a good fight but lost to Alvarez’s goal inside the opening 12 minutes. They did well to recover from that goal and had chances to equalise.
“Manchester United” – “Chelsea” prediction
We’re sure this will be an exciting contest featuring two of the biggest teams in English football. Thursday night isn’t exactly prime time, but it should be as the Premier League races to pick up back-to-back games and finish the season. Manchester United fans know that a win over their non-coloured rivals will be enough to cement their position in the top four prize-winning places.
Chelsea can make life difficult for the hosts, as they did across town at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. The statistics show that this game could end in a draw, but it is not a result that will suit the teams very much. Those who follow the stats may want a draw or predict that both teams will score for the fourth consecutive meeting.
Premier League odds
22Bet members can bet on the outcome of Thursday’s game and there are many attractive markets available. These include Manchester United to win at odds of 1.59, while Chelsea can be backed at 5.05 to lose away from home.
We expect the draw to be popular for obvious reasons and the odds are yours at 4.42. Other options worth looking at include Total Goals, Handicap and First Goalscorer. There’s something to suit all bets and budgets.
Be sure to place a bet “Manchester United” – “Chelsea”. With 22Bet.
Be there