Two clubs in the hunt for Champions League qualification meet at Stamford Bridge on Saturday night as out-of-form Chelsea host third-placed Manchester United.
Chelsea’s poor run of form continued last weekend, as three second-half goals saw them fall to a 0-3 defeat at home to the blue side of Manchester – on an afternoon I landed a 4/5 winner.
Liam Rosenior’s hosts have now won just one of their previous seven Premier League outings, losing four of their past five, leaving them four points behind fifth-placed Liverpool and just one ahead of West London rivals Brentford in seventh.
The Blues remain seven points behind Manchester United, as they also suffered a home defeat last time out, losing 1-2 against rivals Leeds United.
That loss was their first at Old Trafford since the end of November and just their second across all venues in the Premier League since Michael Carrick took interim charge.
The Red Devils have been victorious in just two of their past eight Premier League outings on the road (W2-D4-L2), drawing 2-2 at Bournemouth in their last away match – on an evening both of my selections landed.
How the bookies view it: Blues unconvincing favourites
Despite winning just one of their past seven Premier League fixtures, Chelsea have been installed as favourites for this clash, with bet365 pricing a home success at 13/10.
Manchester United are 2/1 to claim just their third win from their last nine Premier League encounters on the road, whilst the draw is 5/2.
Head to head: Home a big advantage
Manchester United stretched their unbeaten record against Chelsea at Old Trafford to 13 matches in the reverse fixture in September, as the Red Devils won 2-1.
However, Chelsea are unbeaten in each of their previous five Premier League meetings with United at Stamford Bridge, winning each of the last two.
Players to watch: Bruno to bag another goal contribution?
Bruno Fernandes took his tally of assists in the Premier League this season to 17 on Monday night, as he set up Casemiro’s goal in their 1-2 loss at home to Leeds United.
The United skipper also has eight goals to his name in the Premier League this campaign – including one in the reverse fixture against the Blues in September – and the 10/11 on offer at bet365 for the Portuguese international to Score or Assist in West London on Saturday appeals to me.
Backed a player to find the net? Check our Goalscorer Betting guide to see how the markets work and where to find value.
Predicted line-ups:
Chelsea are still without the injured Filip Jorgensen, Levi Colwill, Reece James and Jamie Gittens, but Trevoh Chalobah is back in training, and vice-captain Enzo Fernandez returns following a club suspension.
Manchester United will be without defender Lisandro Martinez following his red card against Leeds United last time out, whilst Harry Maguire, Matthijs de Ligt, Patrick Dorgu and Kobbie Mainoo are also unavailable.
Chelsea: Sanchez, Gusto, Fofana, Hato Cucurella, Santos, Caicedo, Neto, Palmer, Fernandez, Pedro
Manchester United: Lammens, Dalot, Yoro, Heaven, Shaw, Casemiro, Ugarte, Diallo, Fernandes, Cunha, Sesko
Anything else catch the eye?
Given Chelsea’s poor run of form and Manchester United’s patchy away record, it’s hard to put any trust in either side, and backing goals seems the sensible option.
Manchester United’s opening 16 Premier League encounters on the road this season have averaged 3.25 goals per game, with Both Teams to Score landing in 14 (88%) of them – including in 13 of their past 14 – whilst 12 of their last 15 have also gone Over 2.5 Goals.
What’s more, eight of the Blues’ last 10 Premier League outings have seen a minimum of three strikes – with seven (70%) seeing goals at both ends – and another high-scoring clash looks on the cards at the Bridge on Saturday.
GambleAware