Chelsea vs Manchester United Prediction: Blues can profit from United’s European focus

Chelsea suffered a setback in their pursuit of a top-five finish in the Premier League last Sunday as they were beaten 2-0 by Newcastle United at St James' Park. The Blues have a chance to get back on track as they welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge on Friday (20:15, Sky Sports Main Event).

The Red Devils have had a dismal league campaign and their focus is expected to be on the Uefa Europa League final with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, which could play into the Blues' hands. Read on for my Chelsea vs Manchester United predictions, featuring the latest team news and match odds.

Football Odds

Team News

Following his red card last time out, Chelsea striker Nicolas Jackson is suspended for the rest of the Premier League season, leaving Enzo Maresca short of striking options as Christopher Nkunku is struggling with a knock and Marc Guiu is out with a hamstring issue.

Cole Palmer looks the most credible candidate to play as a false nine on Friday, while Noni Madueke and Pedro Neto are expected to continue as the wingers. Jadon Sancho is ineligible to face his parent club.

Wesley Fofana (muscle) and Omari Kellyman (hamstring) are also confined to the medical bay and are not expected to feature until 2025/26.

United are coping with injuries to Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring), Lisandro Martinez (knee) and Diogo Dalot (calf), who are all out for the remainder of the campaign.

Boss Ruben Amorim's defensive crisis could worsen as Leny Yoro was forced off with a foot issue in the defeat against West Ham United on Sunday. The Red Devils are likely to rotate heavily for the trip to west London to preserve their best players for the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Chelsea vs Manchester United Odds

Chelsea are the 1/3 favourites to win this clash as they have won seven of their past eight home fixtures in the Premier League.

Both teams to score has been a winning selection in each of United's last three away trips in the top flight, though, so Chelsea and BTTS is a more attractive market at 8/5 (which has an implied probability of 38.5%).

The Red Devils have drawn one of their last two away games in the league and the stalemate is on offer at 4/1. The visitors are 13/2 to collect the three points but they are winless in their previous seven outings in the PL.

Chelsea and both teams to score @ 8/5

Chelsea had a poor first half at Newcastle but for most of the second half they had Newcastle on the back foot, despite the Blues being down to 10 men. When Bruno Guimaraes scored to wrap up the victory for the Magpies late on, the celebrations were more relief than joy as Chelsea were threatening to score.

It was a setback for Maresca's men, who are fighting to finish in the top five and return to the Champions League stage. Chelsea are currently fifth but only on goal difference as Aston Villa are level with them on 63 points.

Unai Emery's side face Tottenham on Friday, while they will play United on the final day of the season. Chelsea have a tough away trip to the City Ground to face Nottingham Forest, who are sat on 62 points.

Chelsea need to make the most of this home clash with United, especially if the Red Devils name a weakened XI ahead of their UEL final next week. The Blues don't need to worry about their Uefa Conference League final just yet as that takes place after the final round of Premier League fixtures have been played.

Maresca can go strong here and that is what I am expecting him to do. The hosts are in much better form than United so I can't see anything other than a Chelsea victory here, but I do think the visitors will get on the scoresheet, like they have done in their last three away trips in the top flight.

Enzo Fernandez anytime goalscorer @ 16/5

One of Chelsea's £100m midfielders, Enzo Fernandez, has been key in recent weeks, having had a direct hand in some of their goals. The Argentina international has had three goal involvements in his past four outings in the Premier League, including a goal in the 3-1 triumph over champions Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on May 4.

The former Benfica man now has six goals for the campaign in the league, which his double his tally in 2023/24. There is no denying that he has improved offensively for Chelsea and I think he can add to his tally before the season is out.

United could name a second-string XI on Friday, which may allow Fernandez free rein in the middle of the park, leading him into advanced positions to register shots at goal. It's a bit of a higher risk than a Cole Palmer, for example, but I think there might be some value to be had in Fernandez finding the net on Friday night.

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