In this article…
Man United v Chelsea
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Kick Off: Wednesday 6th December at 20:15
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Competition: Premier League
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Watch Live: Amazon Prime Video
One of two big games kicking off at 8:15pm on Wednesday sees Chelsea make the trip to Old Trafford. However, we don’t just follow the biggest games here at ABC, with a wide range of Premier League bet builder tips and Premier League accumulator tips to help you back a winner this midweek.
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Manchester United will welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening as these two heavyweights of the English game go head to head in what should be a classic under the lights. Both sides started the season with ambitions of clinching a top four place and closing the gap on the likes of Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester City who have dominated in recent years. However, that is yet to materialise this campaign and as a result, this game carries a different complexion than anticipated.
Erik ten Hag is certainly under the spotlight coming into the match, as he has been for most of the season. The defeat to Newcastle United at the weekend means the home side are now five points adrift of Aston Villa in fourth and a reaction from the squad is needed here. While the Dutchman is not yet into must-win territory, this feels like a very significant game in the context of his tenure at the club, with another defeat unthinkable, especially as he’s one of the favourites to lose his job next in the Premier League.
Unlike his counterpart, Mauricio Pochettino will probably be afforded more time at Chelsea to develop his young and expensive squad as he looks to build towards long term success under the ownership of Todd Boehly. Following a poor start to the season, the visitors currently occupy 10th place in the table having enjoyed some positive results of late, including an action-packed 4-1 victory on the road against Tottenham Hotspur and a credible 4-4 draw against treble-winning Manchester City.
Man United v Chelsea Cheat Sheet
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You can find Man United v Chelsea match stats, on my bet builder stats tool, along with official line-ups one hour before kick-off.
⚽ Match stats: Two evenly matched teams
Chelsea are currently favourites to win the game, but there is certainly value to be had in backing Manchester United to get a result here, especially with home advantage. Erik ten Hag’s side are yet to win a single point against any side residing in the top ten in the table this season, but they are still five points better off than their opponents, which tells its own story about inconsistent Chelsea.
There is no question that the Red Devils have underperformed in the big matches this campaign. They were abject in the 3-0 defeat against Manchester City and have also lost to both Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur. The defeat at Newcastle United was particularly worrying, as a disjointed display meant another top four rival gained points, but there is optimism against this Chelsea side.
The hosts can certainly take some comfort from their recent head to head record with the visitors, and that may well prove to be pivotal come full time. The hosts are unbeaten in the last 13 Premier League head to head matches, including this fixture last term where they ran out comfortable 4-1 winners. Securing a positive result against a big club is long overdue, and this is a good opportunity.
Predictions:
🏆 Man United double chance @ 1.53
🥅 Goals stats: Goals fancied at either end
This could well be a high octane game with plenty of chances at either end, especially if there is an early goal. Both sides are desperate to close the gap to the top four and as a result we could see a fairly open contest. In particular, Chelsea’s recent games have seen plenty of goals and with the home side’s notable struggles defensively, we can expect a highly entertaining game here.
When looking at the xG statistics, both of these sides will be disappointed not to have scored more this season. Manchester United have a tally of just 16 despite having an xG of 20.2 and it’s a similar story for Chelsea, they have scored 24 goals but have an xG total of 27.7. That shows that these teams are creating plenty of chances, but simply haven’t been clinical enough to score more goals.
Interestingly, the previous four head to head matches have produced a minimum of two goals as last season’s 4-1 win for Manchester United came on the back of three consecutive 1-1 draws. While we might not see a glut of goals here, both teams are fancied to get on the scoresheet, especially given their respective form in the final third of late, and that’s the main focus from a goals standpoint.
Predictions:
🥅 Both teams to score @ 1.50
🎯 Shooting stats: Sterling and co to get shots on target
Andre Onana could well be in for a busy evening in the Manchester United goal as it’s expected that Chelsea will get plenty of opportunities to test the Cameroon international. The home side are currently giving up an average of 4.86 shots on their goal per game, and with the likes of Raheem Sterling and Nicolas Jackson on display, it’s easy to see Onana being worked here.
Chelsea themselves are enjoying plenty of success in the final third this season, averaging 13 shots per game and 4.43 on target every 90 minutes played. Newcastle United had four at the weekend against ten Hag’s side who have been very open at the back, and the visitors could profit from defensive vulnerabilities. Switching Luke Shaw to centre back may sure things up, but Chelsea will get chances.
Sheffield United, Luton and Burnley the only teams to concede more on target than Manchester United, that should galvanise the Chelsea forward line, not least Raheem Sterling who is enjoying a fine season despite being overlooked for the last England squad. The forward is averaging over two shots per game (0.79 on target) and has already scored five goals this season.
Predictions:
🎯 Raheem Sterling to have 1+ shot on target @ 1.62
🎯 Chelsea to have 4+ shots on target @ 1.25
🎯 Chelsea to have 5+ shots on target @ 1.57
🟨 Card and fouls stats: Fernandez on fouls watch
Chelsea have one of the worst disciplinary records in the Premier League this season and there is every reason to suggest that continues at Old Trafford. The visitors have committed a total of 176 fouls domestically, compared to Manchester United’s 148 fouls (which is an average of two per game more than their opponents) and it’s easy to see why they constantly end up in the referee’s notebook.
When it comes to cards, Chelsea have already racked up 51 yellows (3.64 per game), which is the most of any team. There have also been three red cards and it’s this ill discipline that has already seen the likes of Jackson, Marc Cucurella and Reece James serve suspensions. Conor Gallagher would be the obvious choice here, however, he is actually suspended for this one after seeing red against Brighton.
Enzo Fernandez, therefore, is the alternative choice. The Argentinian has already committed 14 fouls in his 12 appearances in the Premier League and is a nice price to rack up at least one foul during the game, especially as he’ll be up against the likes of Bruno Fernandes in the centre of the park. The Portuguese maestro has drawn 0.86 fouls per 90 in the league this season and could coax some aggression out of the other fiery Fernandez.
Predictions:
🛑 Enzo Fernandez to commit 1+ fouls @ 1.44
🟨 Over 1.5 Chelsea cards @ 1.20
🟨 Chelsea to be shown the most cards @ 2.10
* I recommend waiting for confirmed team line-ups before placing any bets.
* All odds displayed correct at the time of publishing.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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