Premier League Match Preview – Two of the Premier League’s big guns collide when Manchester United travel to Chelsea.
Both clubs are looking to bounce back from poor weekends that seriously hindered their ambitions. Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United fell further away from the top four and Chelsea remained rooted in the Premier League’s bottom half.
Here’s everything you need to know about Thursday’s fixture.
Form
Chelsea: WDWWD
Chelsea have won five of their last nine matches. However, three of those were FA Cup ties. Their inconsistency in the league has seen them drop points in five of their previous seven games.
Their latest hiccup came on Saturday afternoon when they dropped two points to a relegation-threatened Burnley side, who had to play over half the game with 10 men.
Two goals from the red-hot Cole Palmer weren’t enough to seal all three points for the Blues, who twice lost their lead. They now subsequently find themselves deeper into the middle pack, as the gap between themselves and a European spot grows larger.
Mauricio Pochettino’s job as manager is under huge scrutiny. However, a win on Thursday night could calm the storm against him as the fight for European football intensifies.
Sights set on tomorrow. ???????? pic.twitter.com/Xag2Tnuiks
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) April 3, 2024
Chelsea will be without Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Levi Colwill, Carney Chukwuemeka, Robert Sanchez and Trevoh Chalobah due to injury.
Their enormous unavailable list could get worse with Ben Chilwell struggling with illness.
Manchester United: WLWWD
Manchester United’s draw with Brentford on Saturday was especially disappointing as it had appeared that they were entering a rich vein of form. Before the international break, the Red Devils had dispatched Liverpool to reach the FA Cup semi-finals.
The contrast of the two performances was astonishing. The effort and intensity on display against Liverpool was nowhere to be seen against the Bees, who dominated the contest and fired 31 efforts on goal.
On a day when their top-four rivals Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur both picked up maximum points, they needed to follow suit.
Mason Mount’s stoppage-time goal looked to have ensured United would be taking three points back to Manchester. However, their soft underbelly was on display, as they conceded a 99th minute equaliser, leaving them 11 points behind in the race for Champions League football.
ℹ️ @LisandrMartinez and @VLindelof will be out of action for at least a month.#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) April 2, 2024
United recently received the bad news that defenders Victor Lindelof and Lisandro Martinez will be ruled out for at least a month. They join an injury list that already includes Luke Shaw, Anthony Martial and Tyrell Malacia.
Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans are back in first-team training, as is Harry Maguire.
Previous Meetings
The two sides have met once so far this season, with the result going the way of the Red Devils. Two goals from Scott McTominay were enough to seal a 2-1 victory for the home side on the day, extending their marvellous record over the Blues.
United have lost this fixture just once in the last six years, and the current unbeaten run stands at seven games, dating back to 2020. They also dominate the overall head-to-head, with 83 all-time victories compared to Chelsea’s 55.
On the bright side for the Blues, they do prefer this fixture at Stamford Bridge. Six of their last seven wins against Thursday night’s opponents have come on home soil.
Predicted Lineups
Chelsea: Petrovic; Gusto, Disasi, Badiashile, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling; Jackson.
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Wan-Bissaka; Mainoo, McTominay; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
Who is the referee?
Jarred Gillett
Is the game on TV?
UK – TNT Sports
What time is the kick-off?
20:15 GMT, Thursday 4 April
Odds
Chelsea – 1/1
Draw – 3/1
Manchester United – 5/2
Read More – Chelsea not good enough in ‘many areas’ – Pochettino
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