Chelsea FC vs Manchester United FC, free match prediction 28 Feb 2021

CHELSEA FC vs MANCHESTER UNITED FC Match Preview & Analysis

With 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.

Teams Preview

Chelsea FC Preview

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.

Manchester United FC Preview

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.