Premier League: High Stakes Already for Manchester United and Chelsea

Premier League: High Stakes Already for Manchester United and Chelsea

Manchester United vs Chelsea

Big-spending Chelsea are heading north on Saturday to face Manchester United, the third richest football club on the planet; and both clubs are desperate to give their fans value for money.

Premier League: Manchester United vs Chelsea isn’t a mid-table clash, but neither side has raced out of the traps during the opening weeks of the 2020-21 season and this is a meeting between 15th and eighth. Both clubs have undergone a period of transition and are yet to fully emerge, and each has turned to a former playing hero to usher in a new period of success. Frank Lampard’s Blues look the more ambitious outfit at the moment, recruiting some of the best talents in Europe over the summer, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is attempting to oversee an evolution at Old Trafford.

The two philosophies come head to head on Saturday and here at SBOTOP, the betting odds point to a hard-fought game. If there is a positive result it will be a huge boost to the victors. Manchester United need a win to begin a climb up towards the top six, while the Blues are already in touch and they want to make their presence felt among the leading pack.

Talking Points

Are United up and running yet?

Only the El Clasico pair of Barcelona and Real Madrid have more value and more revenue than Manchester United, according to the Forbes 2020 list of the world’s most valuable clubs, but that’s little consolation to frustrated United fans who have undergone a period of turmoil over the past seven seasons.

The return of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to the club prompted a wave of optimism but he has struggled to recapture former glories…so far. This season has been stop-start, an opening defeat to Crystal Palace was followed by a last gasp victory over Brighton. Then the Red Devils recovered from their catastrophic display against Spurs, when former boss Jose Mourinho masterminded a 1-6 victory, to record back-to-back wins. Firstly they staged a late onslaught to beat Newcastle United in the Premier League and then they stunned Paris Saint-Germain with a 1-2 victory in their opening Champions League fixture.

A couple of weeks ago OGS said their season was up and running and, if that’s the case, then they need Bruno Fernandes to continue his current form; the midfield playmaker prompted a late rally at Newcastle with a spectacular strike and then set the Red Devils on their way in Paris with a first-half penalty.

Are Chelsea’s stars gelling yet?

After a summer transfer window dominated by Frank Lampard’s fast action and big-spending, we were all wondering how quickly Chelsea’s expensively assembled team would become a fully effective unit. Well, the answer so far is that they’re doing okay but, as expected, are yet to look like serious title contenders. That’s not to say they won’t be in the shake-up at the business end of the campaign; these are early days, and after five games they sit in eighth place in the Premier League table and five points off the lead, having lost just once, to champions Liverpool.

And while United’s squad looks a little short on depth, Lampard is under pressure to achieve with the undoubted quality he has drafted in.

Wing back Ben Chilwell has settled superbly, starring in the Blues’ 4-0 annihilation of Crystal Palace and Thiago Silva could be the commanding defensive presence Chelsea have missed since the departure of John Terry. Kai Havertz and Timo Werner have both looked outstanding in short bursts while the exciting Hakim Ziyech has recovered from injury and came on as a substitute in Chelsea’s Champions League draw with Sevilla.

With Christian Pulisic also back from injury, this team looks like it may be about ready to click.

History

The head to head Manchester United vs Chelsea results shows just how well matched these two teams have been over the years. The Blues have won 26 of these meetings to United’s 24, while there have been 22 draws in the 72 games in the Premier League era.

They have both won the Premier League twice during the past decade, though the Red Devils were last top of the tree in 2013, while Chelsea won the league in 2015 and 2017.

Betting Tip

Total Goals 2-3 @ 1.99

If there’s one thing the Manchester United vs Chelsea betting odds are telling us, it’s that we’re in for a cracker of a game. All three results are well in play, Manchester United are available at odds of 2.33, with Chelsea at 2.80 and the draw at 3.21.

The Red Devils will be boosted by back-to-back wins and Chelsea clearly have some fantastic players. I think this may be a 1-1; or a winner by the odd goal in three.

Disclaimer: Odds are correct at time of publish.

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