Chelsea vs Manchester United tips and predictions: Cole Palmer to star but spoils to be shared

This fixture has thrown up some classics in the past, think the 3-3 draw when Man United came from 3-0 down to secure a point through Wayne Rooney in 2012.

The 4-0 spanking that Antonio Conte's Chelsea handed to the returning Jose Mourinho and his Man United side or the 2008 Champions League final when John Terry famously missed his penalty.in the shoot-out.

But in recent years the standard has been nowhere near the clashes of old and given the form of both sides, another classic encounter doesn't seem to be on the table.

Chelsea's form this season has been erratic and you simply don't know what team will turn up, their 2-2 draw against 10-man Burnley on Saturday summed up their inconsistency.

However there's been one thing that has been guaranteed for the Blues this season and that's Cole Palmer making an impact.

The ex-Man City man has been in brilliant form recently, with 12 goal involvements in his last nine Premier League appearances. 

The Blues have relied on him a lot this season, but his goals have helped Mauricio Pochettino's side improve on their own patch, as they have lost just one of their last eight home league games.

Man United have also failed to set the world alight this season and were lucky to pick up a point at Brentford last time out.

They, just like Chelsea, have had some promising results this season, but they are currently sixth and are 11 points behind Aston Villa in fourth and it looks like they will be missing out on Champions League football for the third time in five seasons. 

However, Erik ten Hag will know that they have to win if they want to keep ahead in the race for a Europa League spot, with plenty of teams queuing up behind them ready to pounce on a Red Devils mistake. 

Rasmus Hojlund returned from injury against Brentford but failed to make a real impact in the 1-1 draw, but he should fare better here with a full 90 minutes in the tank.

The Red Devils have struggled to find the back of the net lately, with just five goals in their last four league games, while the Blues have scored plenty in recent weeks, they have scored 13 goals in their last six league outings.

Despite scoring plenty, the Blues are also leaking goals at the back too, conceding 16 goals in their last seven, so both teams to score looks like a good option. 

Man United have won the last two meetings, both at Old Trafford, but the last three meetings at Stamford Bridge have all been draws, so it wouldn't be a surprise if the spoils are shared once again here.

 

 

Team news

Chelsea are without Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Reece James, Carney Chukwuemeka, Christopher Nkunku, Levi Colwill, Lesley Ugochukwu, Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah and Malo Gusto, who are all injured.

Ben Chilwell is a doubt for the hosts after missing the 2-2 draw against Burnley at the weekend.

Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial, Altay Bayindir, Raphael Varane, Johnny Evans and Victor Lindelof are all ruled out for the visitors.

 

Key stats

- Cole Palmer has 12 goal involvements in his last nine league games

- The last three meetings between these two at Stamford Bridge have been draws

- Chelsea have scored in all of their last 12 league mathces

- Man United have only scored 40 goals this season, an average of 1.4 goals per game

 

Suggested bets

Match result- draw

Cole Palmer to score in 90 mins

Both teams to score

 

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