Chelsea haven’t beaten United in a Premier League fixture since Antonio Conte masterminded a 1-0 win over the Red Devils in 2017, however, the Mancunians have won just once in ten attempts at Stamford Bridge in the top tier and on current form, the visitors are easy to oppose again.

It is interesting to note however, that five of the heavyweights’ last seven bouts have ended all square and with both sides bedfellows in terms of inconsistency, they could be difficult to separate again.

Backing a draw is too risky a move for a bet builder, however, a bet on Man Utd with a +2 goal handicap would have landed in 11 of their last 13 away assignments in the Premier League and that market could offer a nice alternative to the match result options.

Bettors should also consider looking to goals at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s last six fixtures there averaged 5.20 goals per 90 minutes, with the visiting team notching at least twice on each occasion.

Chelsea’s front-foot approach in home games should offer up good counter-attacking possibilities for United’s pacey forward line, though the Red Devils’ crippling defensive injuries should leave them exposed at the other end. Over 2.5 goals landed in each of the teams’ last two meetings and Thursday’s contest should follow suit.

Manchester United’s defensive deficiencies have been a hot topic this season, and another porous showing at Brentford on Saturday evening sparked a fresh onslaught of criticism for their work out of possession.

United allowed Brentford to rack up a remarkable 31 shots at their expense and that was the sixth time in seven Premier League fixtures where the Red Devils’ opponents lodged 20 attempts or more.

With several key defenders still biding their time in the treatment room and Erik ten Hag’s tactical stubbornness still an issue, United could be just as vulnerable at Stamford Bridge and as a consequence, backing Chelsea to muster over 14.5 shots is a logical step.

In terms of individuals, Cole Palmer remains the likeliest Blues player to do some damage. The 21-year-old has been razor-sharp in the final third of late and Palmer has hit at least two shots on target in each of his last three appearances.

The former Man City starlet is a hair over evens to have two or more accurate shots against United while centre forward, Nicolas Jackson, could be another to consider in the same bracket.

Jackson should be confident following a haul of two goals in three Premier League starts and the Senegalese outlet managed to register two shots on target in each of those three run-outs.

For United, Danish wonderkid Rasmus Hojlund has found his range with an effort in seven straight Premier League games and despite only having one sight of goal against Brentford on Saturday, the 21-year-old drew a save out of Bees stopper Mark Flekken.

Hojlund is used to feeding on scraps and he is reliable enough to test Djordje Petrovic if a half chance falls his way.

Wherever you look, you can find unflattering defensive statistics linked to Manchester United and only the Premier League’s bottom club Sheffield United (7.62) have been conceding more corners per game on average than the Red Devils (7.28) this season.

United conceded another 14 corners at Brentford on Saturday which followed on from the 15 they allowed Man City to rack up, in the derby, in their last away test before that. In fact, United have conceded eight or more corners in a whopping eight of their last nine Premier League fixtures overall.

Chelsea meanwhile, finished their draw with Burnley at the weekend with a haul of 12 corners and they could reach double figures again against a United outfit that has been pinned back into their own penalty area far too often this term.

United’s propensity for conceding corner after corner opens up excellent avenues in the markets and setting Chelsea a target of six or more corners to beat at Stamford Bridge on Thursday doesn’t look too demanding.

When a Scott McTominay-inspired United beat Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford in December, most of the fouling was carried out in midfield and the battle for control over the same area could produce plenty of fouls again on Thursday.

Enzo Fernandez (two) and Moses Caicedo (three) committed five fouls between them in Manchester before Christmas, and both players have been near the top of the list for Chelsea for average fouls committed per game in the Premier League this season.

Ecuadorian Caicedo, who came close to joining United a few years ago, sinned at least twice in 70% of his last ten outings in the league, and the 22-year-old is available at a palatable price to do the same this week.

Enzo Fernandez meanwhile, is a contender with excellent potential in the 1+ fouls market, a tally achieved by the World Cup winner in seven of his last nine Premier League starts.

For the visitors, skipper Bruno Fernandes often struggles to keep his emotions in check and the Portuguese star has fouled at least once in 18 of his last 19 run-outs in the top-flight.

Further back, Fernandes’ compatriot Diogo Dalot has been just as aggressive, committing a foul in 13 of his last 16 Premier League appearances for United. Expect both Portugal internationals to be in the thick of the action again.