CHELSEA welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge this Friday, with Enzo Maresca’s men determined to tighten their grip on a Champions League place.
Chelsea vs Man Utd preview
With Liverpool the only team assured of a top-five finish, the battle for Champions League qualification is wide open.
No fewer than six teams are still in contention for the remaining four places, and Chelsea are one of them.
The Blues currently sit fifth in the Premier League with just two matches left to play. But their hold on that final Champions League spot remains in the balance.
Aston Villa are level on points but trail by goal difference, while Nottingham Forest lurk just one point behind.
The Blues missed a golden opportunity to strengthen their position last weekend, slumping to a disappointing 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park.
It was a costly setback that leaves Enzo Maresca facing an anxious conclusion to the season.
Still, their fate remains in their own hands. Win their final two fixtures â against Manchester United and Nottingham Forest â and Champions League football will return to Stamford Bridge.
Anything less, and it could be another season of Thursday night action.
They should be fairly optimistic of securing maximum points given they’ve won five of their last six in all competitions.
They are also meeting a Manchester United side who’ve clearly given up on their domestic duties with the Europa League final on the horizon.
The Red Devils slumped to yet another defeat last weekend, losing 2-0 at Old Trafford to struggling West Ham â equalling their worst Premier League run of seven games without a win.
The only teams Ruben Amorim’s side have collected three points against since 26 January are relegated duo Ipswich and Leicester.
With the Europa League final taking place next Wednesday â it’s highly likely that Amorim will again field a team full of youngsters and fringe players for this encounter.
- Chelsea 4/11 with William Hill â CLAIM HERE
- Draw 4/1 with Betfred â CLAIM HERE
- Man Utd 7/1 with BetMGM â CLAIM HERE
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Draw
Everything points towards a comfortable Chelsea win in this fixture with the Blues fighting for Champions League qualification and their visitors are locked in on next week’s Europa League final.
But... it’s never that straightforward.
Chelsea have won just one of their last 14 Premier League games against Manchester United. It’s also the most drawn fixture in Premier League history with 27!
The last time these sides met in the Premier League on a Friday? It finished 2-2 at Stamford Bridge in August 2002.
- The match to be drawn at 4/1 with William Hill â CLAIM HERE
Palmer strike
Cole Palmer has scored four goals in his three Premier League games against Manchester United for Chelsea, including a hat-trick in this exact fixture last season.
No Blues player has scored more against the Red Devils in the competition. He’s not been delivering goals of late â but he’s knocking at the door and still boasts the highest xG of any Chelsea player and most attempts on target in their last four home league matches.
- Cole Palmer to score at Evens with William Hill â CLAIM HERE
