There was a time when this matchup was considered the ‘big one’ between the two most likely title challengers. Manchester United have improved this season to an extent that they need just one point to confirm qualification to the Champions League.
Chelsea have endured a calamitous season and only just scraped over the 40 point mark. The London outfit have only won one of their last 10 and are limping over the line this year. Whether they can raise their levels for such a big fixture is questionable.
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Man United vs Chelsea lineups
Rashford expected to start upfront
Erik ten Hag revealed that Marcus Rashford has been back in training and is in contention to start. The hosts are expected to keep the same back four which beat Bournemouth 1-0. Luke Shaw is in his more familiar left back role and the centre back partnership looks likely to be Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof.
Massive injury problems for Chelsea
Chelsea have an injury crisis ahead of the game. As many as ten first team players could be ruled out here including wing backs Reece James and Ben Chilwell. Youngster Lewis Hall should start at left wing back. In midfield N’Golo Kante and Mateo Kovacic are doubtful which brings Ruben Loftus-Cheek into contention. The Chelsea system is likely to be a 3-4-3 with Sterling and Gallagher flanking Kai Havertz in attack.
Man United vs Chelsea team stats
Corners plentiful in United matches
The Red Devils average 1.44 goals for and 1.14 against. United have decent accuracy converting 15.33 shots into 5.28 on target. It is noticeable that they have conceded quite a lot of shots themselves (12.64) despite having a fairly decent defensive record.
Erik ten Hag’s men tend to get out-cornered by their opponents, possibly due to their wide players cutting inside so regularly. Taking over 5.5 or more match corners might be a good idea to add to your Man United vs Chelsea bet builder. Corners are overall very plentiful in United fixtures at an average of 10.75. Cards can also be considered with the Mancunians averaging over two per game.
Chelsea cards always a strong possibility
Chelsea have endured a miserable season only averaging one goal per game. Their xG of 1.26 hasn’t been much better. At the heart of their problems is a general lack of shots (12.36). This is much lower than all the top sides and if you do not shoot you do not score.
The West Londoners have racked up their fair share of corners (5.42) and have done well to restrict their opponents to just 4.89. Cards have been high in Chelsea fixtures at an average of 4.23 per match. The Blues themselves have been serial offenders and taking over 1.5 Chelsea cards must merit strong consideration for any bet builder.
Man United vs Chelsea shots and shots on target stats
Rashford leading the line makes for strong appeal
Both Marcus Rashford and Antony stand out in this category. Taking Rashford for one or more shots on target in your bet builder could be advisable. Antony can be more streaky and is probably best backed with shots rather than accuracy. Bruno Fernandes is similar in this category and averages less than one shot on target per 90 mins.
Havertz the most reliable option
Kai Havertz could be considered for Chelsea in this market. He averages over one shot on target per 90 minutes and has reasonably decent accuracy from just 2.46 shots per 90. The majority of the players on the field for the Blues are unlikely to be as resourceful though. Players such as Lewis Hall, Raheem Sterling or Conor Gallagher could maybe be worth looking at for two or more shots but not much makes for great appeal here.
Man United vs Chelsea goals and assists stats
Rashford firepower is a big boost for United
Having Marcus Rashford back is a major boost for Man United, but he has only scored 1 goal in his seven last competitive matches. He is also coming off the back of an injury so might not last the full match. He is nevertheless a major weapon and taking him to score or assist in your Man United bet builder could merit strong consideration. Other possible options would be Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho or if you are feeling really brave, including Antony.
Bleak reading for stuttering Chelsea attack
Kai Havertz and Raheem Sterling are the leading Chelsea scorers but only with seven and six goals respectively. The visitors have generally lacked firepower all season so taking any of their players in the to score or assist market would be quite brave. There are many out there who would predict Chelsea not to score in this fixture.
Man United vs Chelsea passing stats
Luke Shaw at left back might see reduced passes
The Red Devils average 54% overall which is actually slightly lower at home. They do not over-monopolise the ball under the management of Erik ten Hag and there is every chance they might have less possession facing a team like Chelsea. The trio of Shaw, Lindelof and Casemiro are the most likely to rack up passes, but with Shaw playing left back his touches may decrease.
Fernandez and Silva could see plenty of the ball
Chelsea average 58% possession which is the 5th most of any team in the Premier League. They have the sort of players who are good on the ball and like to play a high possession system. They are not as ball-hungry under Frank Lampard in some fixtures and only had 35% vs Man City last week and 45% vs Arsenal. The Blues will probably edge possession here though, so the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Thiago Silva could be worth considering for 70+ passes in your Chelsea bet builder.
Man United Cards and Fouls stats
Serial offenders Casemiro and Shaw stand out
Casemiro and Shaw stand out as the biggest serial offenders for Man United. The Brazilian midfielder averages over two fouls per 90 minutes so immediately comes onto the radar to add to your Man United bet builder. Shaw also has a high foul average and playing at left back should further increase the likelihood he commits a couple of offences. Bruno Fernandes can sometimes be quite cynical and it’s a surprise he only has six cards. He has got away with a lot this season.
For most of the season he has been reduced to a bench role but having Conor Gallagher as a projected starter is music to the ears of cards and fouls backers. He himself is quite dirty but also finds ways to win free kicks. Gallagher is fouled over twice per 90 minutes so Luke Shaw will have his hands full. Lewis Hall could draw a few fouls in the left wing back spot, but Aaron Wan-Bissaka is very strong one versus one.
Man United vs Chelsea key matchups
Casemiro vs Enzo Fernandez
Luke Shaw vs Conor Gallagher
Bruno Fernandes vs Ruben Loftus-Cheek
Chelsea Cards and Fouls Stats
Gallagher dirtiness cannot be ignored
Conor Gallagher only averages 45 minutes per game but has picked up an astronomical 12 cards! He managed to stay out of the book vs Man City but has been carded in two of his last four Premier League matches. Kai Havertz stands out for potential fouls. He averages over two per game and can be considered a pressing forward.
Man United have only drawn 1.31 cards per game from their opponents on average which is a slight surprise. Maybe Erik ten Hag is yet to drill his team into the dark arts of football and they play fairer than expected. The trio of Antony, Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro could all draw some fouls, but nobody stands out as being a major target.
Man United vs Chelsea key matchups
Conor Gallagher vs Luke Shaw
Kai Havertz vs Raphael Varane
Cesar Azpilicueta vs Marcus Rashford
Man United vs Chelsea Bet Builder Tips and Picks of the Pack
We have carefully selected some bet builder angles for your consideration ahead of the fixture. By all means swap in or add some of your own picks of the pack.
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Manchester United vs Chelsea
25th May
kick off 20:00 Bruno Fernandes 1+ shots on target
Averages 0.86 shots on target P/90 this season.
He’s mustered at least one attempt on target in 9 of his last 10.
Fernandez, Loftus-Cheek, and Gallagher doesn’t exactly scream balance, and with at least 2 of the 3 likely to press into high areas off the ball, Fernandes should find plenty of space with which to rifle away some shots.
He managed 7 against Wolves, and 4 against Bournemouth.
Chelsea over 2.5 cornersChelsea average 5.42 corners per game.
Man United concede 5.56 corners per game, and have conceded at least 3 in each of their last 18 games in all competitions, including 7 to a 9 man Fulham, and 8 to bottom of the table Southampton.
Wesley Fofana 1+ foulsHe’s averaging 0.69 fouls P/90, but crucially, has committed at least 1 in 10 of his last 12, a rash challenge from behind early doors against City cementing that stat.
Fofana will likely play on the right of a back three, and this could put him in close proximity to the likes of Rashford if fit, Sancho, and even Martial. The trio are fouled 0.75, 0.60, and 0.92 times P/90.
Casemiro 2+ foulsHe’s committed 2.05 fouls P/90 this campaign, and has failed to commit a foul just once in his last 9. In fact, he’s given away at least 2 in 5 of his last 8.
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