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Huge clash between Chelsea and Manchester United as both sides seek top four security
Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United
Tournament: Premier League 2020-2021 | Venue: London, Stamford Bridge
Bet NowWith only 13 games to play, the race for the top four Premier League spots is heating up nicely with several teams vying for those all-important positions.
Chelsea have whipped themselves back into contention in a short space of time after changing their manager, with four wins and two draws following that shakeup. Under Tuchel, Chelsea now appear solid enough to secure points even when not at their fluid best, something which they struggled with before.
Now, having secured a crucial first-leg lead in their Champions League tie against Atletico Madrid, they can turn their focus back to the league.
Manchester United have, on the other hand, held a top four spot for the last 12 matches stretching back to mid-December and, although they’ve watched Manchester City sail away into top spot, they’ll be confident of holding onto 2nd.
The previous time these two met, the game finished 0-0. Let’s hope for a more entertaining fixture here.
Form Guide (all comps): WWWDW
Reasons to be cheerful:
Still yet to taste defeat under Tuchel
Defensive record is one of the best in the league so far in 2021
Reasons to be fearful:
Will need to up their goals per game ratio against free-scoring United
Tough run of fixtures with Liverpool and Everton to follow
Chelsea’s rise under Thomas Tuchel has been remarkable, consider that they were sat 8th in the table when Frank Lampard was sacked, with the club given little chance of making the top four this season.
They’re still in one heck of a fight to make it, what with West Ham currently in 4th and Liverpool surely going to improve before the end of the season.
However, this side now have one of the best qualities a top team can have – being very difficult to play against. The Blues have conceded just two goals from their eight matches in all competitions since the new manager came in and you feel that this will stand them in good stead against a side who are top scorers this season.
What will need to improve, of course, is their goals per game ratio. They haven’t scored more than two goals in a game during that period, and have only managed that on three occasions, so will need to up their game against United’s free-flowing attackers.
Star Man – Mason Mount
Is enjoying a great spell of form right now, and scored in the 1-1 draw against Southampton last week.
Form Guide (all comps): WDWWD
Reasons to be cheerful:
Progressing in cup competitions will boost confidence
Have the attackers to break down Chelsea’s tough defence
Reasons to be fearful:
Unsure on the fitness of McTominay and Cavani
Have struggled to beat top sides this season
United’s struggles against the other big sides have been well-documented this season, with the team dropping points against Arsenal (twice), Leicester, Spurs, Manchester City and Liverpool. In fact, their only win against a current top six side came against West Ham back in December.
Here, they must throw caution to the wind in some respects – if Leicester avoid defeat to Arsenal in the earlier kick off, United could find themselves 3rd, and potentially 13 points behind City if they win their match.
Too often have they drawn games which they should have won, and with Chelsea seemingly such a tough side to break down right now, they’ll have to take a few chances.
For this one, they could still be without injured trio McTominay and Cavani (doubts), as well as Pogba (definitely out).
Star Man – Bruno Fernandes
Had 45 minutes rest in midweek and will be keen to continue his excellent form, with 22 goals so far this season.
Expect goals at both ends
Bruno Fernandes to either score or assist
A draw is the most likely outcome
Too often this season, Manchester United have wasted an opportunity to claim all three points, for example in games such as against Leicester or Everton.
They still appear to play with the handbrake on at times and must return to their fluid best if they are to secure three points here.
Chelsea are a determined group right now, and will be hard to beat.
Chelsea 2-2 Manchester United
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