Joe Casey offers up his selections for Friday night’s Premier League showdown between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea suffered a significant blow to their hopes of Champions League qualification when losing 2-0 to Newcastle last weekend and now have Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest breathing down their necks in the race for a top-five spot.
The Blues take on a Manchester United side who have taken just two points from the last 21 available in the Premier League and whose season hinges on if they can beat Tottenham in the Europa League final next Wednesday.
We have come up with three football betting selections for Friday’s clash at Stamford Bridge, which form a 5/1 Bet Builder.
Chelsea vs Manchester United tips
Both teams to score /
Moises Caicedo to be shown a card /
Over 2.5 Goals /
Both teams can play their part
Chelsea will be kicking themselves after losing 2-0 to Newcastle last weekend, in a big blow to their chances of securing a top-five finish and Champions League football next season.
Nicolas Jackson was sent off in that clash and with Christopher Nkunku and Marc Guiu major doubts, it will be interesting to see who Enzo Maresca opts to lead the line.
Despite their poor record, Manchester United have been in fine goalscoring form recently, netting ten goals in their last four outings in all competitions and they racked up an expected goals tally of 2.1 in their 2-0 defeat to West Ham last weekend.
Both teams could get on the scoresheet in what looks set to be an end-to-end affair. Both teams have found the net in the last seven meetings between these two and a repeat looks firmly on the cards.
Caicedo a big card risk
Moises Caicedo has been playing out of position at right-back for Chelsea recently, with mixed results. The return of Romeo Lavia has forced the former Brighton man back into defence, where his aggressive tackling style can cause him plenty of issues.
The Ecuadorian was extremely fortunate not to be carded against Newcastle last time out and is the most booked player on the most booked team in the Premier League.
Only one referee has dished out more cards than Chris Kavanagh, who will officiate this game, and Caicedo’s luck is fancied to run out at Stamford Bridge, and he could pick up a card.
Goals look likely
The last four meetings between these two teams have produced 17 goals and given the fact that Manchester United are likely to rotate heavily with the Europa League final on the horizon, another high-scoring affair is fancied.
Four of the Red Devils’ last five away matches have gone over 2.5 goals and this could be the latest.
