Manchester United vs Chelsea prediction, odds and betting tips
Two underachieving Premier League heavyweights will lock horns at Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
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Manchester United vs Chelsea odds
Find the latest match odds for Manchester United vs Chelsea. All odds are provided by our best-reviewed football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
⚡Quick Manchester United vs Chelsea betting tips
Manchester United vs Chelsea predictions
A malaise has set in at Manchester United and there are no quick ways out.
A 1-0 defeat by Newcastle United at the weekend has left Erik ten Hag’s side seventh in the Premier League table, although the underlying statistics suggest they should be much lower.
Consider the expected goals ranking, which calculates the quality of chances each team creates and concedes. United sit 12th, lower than the likes of Brentford, Everton and Crystal Palace.
We are 14 matches into the season and the rudderless Red Devils have won by more than a single-goal margin on just one occasion.
Indeed, performances have been even worse than their mediocre results and Ten Hag is consequently coming under huge pressure.
Unfortunately for United, there is no suggestion that simply changing the manager would end their woes. The same response is applicable to those who suggest spending another £200m would get United where they need to be.
Remember, the club was not shy to splash the cash over the summer. Andre Onana, Mason Mount and Rasmus Hojlund were acquired for a combined £163m. The purse strings have been relatively loose for some time now.
There is no doubt that the problems at Old Trafford run deep. But that is not to absolve Ten Hag of blame either. The manager should be doing a much better job.
As well as subpar results, United have no defined style of play. That is a damning indictment given that Ten Hag has been at the helm for 18 months now.
Chelsea are also a work in progress, but with a young squad and a new manager, they deserve the benefit of the doubt in a way that United do not.
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📝 Manchester United vs Chelsea betting tips
Chelsea can compound Manchester United’s woes by coming out on top at Old Trafford this midweek.
Chelsea to win - 13/10 (bet365)
After a poor performance in a 4-1 defeat by Newcastle late last month, Chelsea needed a response at the weekend.
Mauricio Pochettino was not shy in calling out his players after that loss at St James’ Park, slamming their showing as “soft” and describing himself as “angry and disappointed”.
The Chelsea boss will therefore have been pleased with the reaction against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Blues did not have everything their own way on Sunday. Conor Gallagher’s red card forced them to play half of the match with 10 men. But they dug deep to pick up a 3-2 victory.
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Chelsea are inconsistent, but that is not a surprise given they have the youngest squad in the Premier League.
Their results have certainly picked up over the last couple of months, though: since the start of October, only three teams have collected more points.
Chelsea have tended to raise their game in the big matches, impressing to varying extents against Liverpool, Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City. That bodes well for this trip to Old Trafford, where Manchester United’s fragile confidence could be exposed.
⚽ Tip Chelsea to win at 13/10 with bet365 ⚽
Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals - 4/5 (bet365)
Manchester United are struggling at both ends of the field. They have scored just 16 goals so far, a tally bettered by no fewer than 11 Premier League sides.
And although United have conceded just 17, they have been extremely fortunate defensively. When we look at expected goals given up, the Red Devils rank seventh-bottom.
Harry Maguire has redeemed himself in recent weeks. His form has been a rare bright spot for Ten Hag.
Yet notwithstanding the England international’s improvement, it is bizarre that Raphael Varane cannot get into this United team.
There has been little for the Red Devils to cheer in attack either. Rasmus Hojlund is yet to score in the Premier League and Marcus Rashford is playing as badly as he has done for years.
Still, United are facing a team that has gone seven matches without a clean sheet. Chelsea have also conceded 15 times in their last six outings, so we fancy goals in this one.
⚽ Back both teams to score and over 2.5 goals at 4/5 with bet365 ⚽
Raheem Sterling to score any time - 5/2 (bet365)
Raheem Sterling is still only 28 years old but he is one of the most experienced members of this Chelsea squad, especially in attack.
Whereas none of Nicolas Jackson, Cole Palmer or Mykhailo Mudryk is the finished article yet, Sterling has shown himself to be a fantastic player over a number of seasons.
Chelsea will lean on his knowhow in matches like this. Sterling’s speed in transition will also be key against a Manchester United defence that has not been sufficiently protected by the rest of the side in recent matches.
Sterling endured a difficult debut campaign at Stamford Bridge, but the signs so far this season have largely been positive.
He has scored five goals up to now, more than any of his team-mates except Jackson. We fancy the winger’s chances of increasing his tally this midweek.
⚽ Choose Raheem Sterling as an anytime goalscorer at 5/2 with bet365 ⚽
📺 How to watch Manchester United vs Chelsea
- Location: Old Trafford, Manchester, England.
- Date and time: Wednesday 6 December 2023, 8.15pm.
- How to watch: Amazon Prime Video.
About the author
Greg Lea
Greg Lea is a freelance football writer from London. He predominantly covers the Premier League and has had work published by the Guardian, FourFourTwo, ESPN and others.
Follow Greg on Twitter @GregLeaFootball
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