Will the Blues end their drought at Old Trafford?
Manchester United have won just two of their last ten competitive matches (three draws, five defeats). The Red Devils were thus not only eliminated from the Champions League, but also sidelined in the Premier League. Ralf Rangnick’s team is now only sixth and is already six points behind the Champions League starting place they were hoping for.
The Blues are one of the teams with the best away record at Old Trafford. Only Manchester City (39) have taken more points away from home in the Premier League than the Londoners (36), who have won eight away games in a row. Accordingly, in the run-up to the clash between Manchester United and Chelsea, the odds are swinging in the Blues’ direction.
However, the Blues’ away record at the Theatre of Dreams is quite modest. Chelsea have not won at the Red Devils for eight away games. However, given the recent poor form of the English record champions, it does not seem unlikely that this streak will be broken when the two teams face each other for the first time ever on a Thursday in the Premier League.
Manchester United – Statistics & current form
It was a thoroughly polarising coaching change when Manchester United introduced Ralf Rangnick as an interim solution until the end of the season for the resigned Ole Gunnar Solskjaer at the end of last year. The critics gradually fell silent, however, as the Red Devils initially picked up 16 out of a possible 18 points from the first six games under the German.
Recently, however, the English record champions have gone off the rails for good. They have lost four of their last six competitive games (one win, one draw), with only two wins in their last ten games.
The Champions League has become a distant memory
For the first time since December 2015 – then under Louis van Gaal – Manchester United could now lose three consecutive league games. And looking at the fact that there was even a defeat against a struggling Everton last time (0:1), this threat is very real.
The Red Devils desperately need a win. Four matchdays before the end of the season, they are six points off third place – and the Gunners, who are in third place, still have five games to play. If the home win against Chelsea fails to materialise, next season’s top flight will probably take place without the English record champions.
Entered four of the last five league games against Chelsea without conceding a goal
The pressure is correspondingly high, which the Rangnick eleven has already been unable to withstand in recent duels with arch-rivals Liverpool (0:4) and direct rivals Arsenal (1:3).
At least the Red Devils can draw hope from their strong record against the Blues. In the Premier League, Manchester United have kept a clean sheet in four of their last five meetings with Chelsea and are unbeaten in eight league games against the Londoners (three wins, five draws).
Predicted Manchester United line-up:
De Gea – Telles – Varane – Linelöf – Dalot – Matic – McTominay – Sancho – Fernandes – Elanga – Ronaldo
Last matches played by Manchester United:
Premier League
23/04/2022 – Arsenal FC 3 – 1 Manchester United
20/04/2022 – Liverpool FC 4 – 0 Manchester United
16/04/2022 – Manchester United 3 – 2 Norwich
09/04/2022 – Everton 1 – 0 Manchester United
02/04/2022 – Manchester United 1 – 1 Leicester
Chelsea – Statistics & current form
Times are not too easy for Chelsea Football Club at the moment either. Since the Abramovich departure, the club has been unable to act, which is why no contract offers can be made to current players or potential new arrivals at the moment.
After the recent 1-0 home win over West Ham United, Thomas Tuchel was visibly pissed off when he announced that Antonio Rüdiger, who is on loan, would leave in the summer. Several other players, including Romelu Lukaku, who is set to leave the club in the winter, are also set to leave.
Continuing on course for Champions League
So the Blues are stuck in an uncertain period where there could be a major rebuild in the summer. Nevertheless, the current squad still has to lay the sporting foundations to ensure that there will then be a solid foundation. After all, the Londoners not only reached the FA Cup final, but are on course for the Champions League in the Premier League.
If Chelsea pick up at least eight points from their remaining six league games, it should almost certainly be enough to finish in the top four of the league. An away win at the battered Red Devils would be a big step towards that.
Won last eight away games in a row
Generally, betting on an away win for the Blues against Chelsea is very much under a lucky star, as Thomas Tuchel’s side have been particularly strong away from home of late. The Pensioners have won their last eight away games across all competitions.
In addition, only Manchester City (39) have scored more away points than Chelsea (36), while only Liverpool (40) have scored more away goals than the Blues (35). Despite the difficult times, the reigning Champions League winners can travel to Old Trafford with a broad chest.
Predicted Chelsea line-up:
Mendy – Alonso – Azpilicueta – Silva – Chalobah – Loftus-Creek – Jorginho – Kanté – Mount – Werner – Havertz
Last matches played by Chelsea:
Premier League
24/04/2022 – Chelsea FC 1 – 0 West Ham
21/04/2022 – Chelsea FC 2 – 4 Arsenal FC
FA Cup
17/04/2022 – Chelsea FC 2 – 0 Crystal Palace
Champions League Final
13/04/2022 – Real Madrid 2 – 3 Chelsea FC
Premier League
09/04/2022 – Southampton 0 – 6 FC Chelsea
Manchester United – Chelsea Direct comparison / H2H record
Head to head: 81 – 54 – 55
There have been a total of 190 meetings between the two teams so far and the Red Devils lead the head-to-head comparison with 81 wins. However, the last three Premier League meetings have all ended in draws. The first leg at Stamford Bridge was a 1-1 draw on 28 November 2021.
Manchester United – Chelsea Tip
When it comes to Manchester United against Chelsea, the prediction goes in the direction of the visitors, who have been in such impressive form away from home recently, winning their last eight games away from home across the competition. This contrasts with the Red Devils, who have lost three of their last four league games, massively reducing their chances of qualifying for the Champions League.
There is much to suggest that the Blues’ drought at the Theatre of Dreams has now ended and Chelsea can also record an away win at the Red Devils.
