Chelsea vs Manchester Utd PREVIEW & PREDICTION 18/02/2019

On Monday evening at 19:30, Chelsea receives Manchester United’s visit to Stamford Bridge in the finals of the English Cup final. The goal is important for both bands, who have little chance of winning other trophies this season, even though Londoners are among the favorites to win the Europa League. Statistics seem to be on the side of the hosts.

Manchester United has not won Stamford Bridge for 10 consecutive games and has been eliminated from the English Cup four times in a row by Chelsea, who seems to be a competition specialist. Last time, the two bands met in the last season’s final on Wembley when the penalty made by Hazard in the first half made the difference (1-0). This season, Manchester United looks more dangerous under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s command, but the “devils” showed very modestly in the Champions League duel with PSG. Instead, Chelsea comes from a solid 2-1 at Molde in the 16th UEFA Europa League.

The English lost 0-2 on Old Trafford, even if the difference could be even bigger! Manchester United played poorly, chaoticly, with no precision in the offensive, and the PSG match did not recall the “devils” at all under Solskjaer’s command. What’s right, United faced batch problems after the first half in which Lingard and Martial suffered serious injuries. As a result, the two will not be eligible for the Monday game and will take their place alongside Darmian and Valencia, both with medical problems. Because of these disqualifications, Solskjaer could appeal to some players at the Youth Academy, but the English press reports that the attackers will most likely be Alexis Sanchez and Romelu Lukaku. Sanchez needs a breakout, after it was rumored that the Chilean is already on his way off Old Trafford.

The Chelsea match is a good opportunity for the South American to prove its value, but we would not be surprised to see young people in the gears of the guests. On the other hand, Chelsea will change the first “11” and it is possible for players such as Caballero, Emerson, Zappacosta or Hudson-Odoi to appear in the field, who always support the owners when the white-blue program becomes too crowded. Even if the two managers will not have ideal teams on the pitch, the qualification stakes are important and none of the camps will give up the fight too easily. With just three draws in the last 10 runs on Stamford Bridge, Manchester United needs a perfect shot to stop Chelsea attacks, especially as the Londoners have a very good balance on their own.

But lately, confidence in Maurizio Sarri’s capabilities has declined, especially as Chelsea has lost shockingly the games with Arsenal (0-2), Bournemouth (0-4) and Manchester City (0-6), all disputed in January. The United Duel can be a chance for a new start for Sarri, even if the Italian is thinking about the championship battle, where Chelsea has reached the 6th place (goal 45-29). Manchester United has only one extra point and is in 4th place (go-go 52-35), and the two will go to the end for a Top 4 position that ensures the presence in the upcoming UCL edition.

The round of the championship tour, disputed on Stamford Bridge, ended in a draw (2-2). Martial’s “double” was not enough to bring the “red devils” victory, who cashed the equalizing goal in overtime! Chelsea had won the previous 4 home games against white-reds and boasts the fact that it has only lost two of the last 17 matches played against the rival of Old Trafford. We were expecting a solid performance of the hosts!


PREDICTION: Chelsea to win @ 2,08

© Soccerpunt.com