Man United vs Chelsea tips and predictions: Red Devils looking to avoid a Blue Christmas

Seb Sternik
5 December 2023

The Theatre of Dreams plays host to a massive Wednesday night Premier League clash between Manchester United and Chelsea (2015 GMT).

Manchester United are a real Rubik’s cube of a football club. It’s near impossible to figure out what is going on at the minute.

For instance, United have scored the most goals in their Champions League group, yet they’re bottom.

Goalkeeper Andre Onana boasts the most Premier League clean sheets, though has conceded the most goals in the Champions League.

Here’s one more stat to really freak you out. Rasmus Hojlund is the joint top-scorer in the Champions League, but is yet to bag once in the Premier League.

On one hand, United are in serious crisis. On the other, they’ve won five from their last seven league games and could go level on points with Tottenham.

But if you think Man United provide a conundrum, wait until we tell you about Chelsea.

At the start of the season, the Blues were pathetic in front of goal, scoring just eight goals in as many games.

In their last nine, meanwhile, Mauricio Pochettino’s side have rattled the net 22 times. Then again, conceding 16 times in the process hasn’t helped their collection of points.

One stat which should give you cold feet is the fact Chelsea haven’t won a Premier League game at Old Trafford in a decade.

With that in mind, and the fact both teams have been involved in a number of high-scoring affairs recently, we’re backing the hosts to win and both teams to score.

United’s last three wins at Old Trafford have all come by one goal and we expect a similar story to unravel on Wednesday night.

Team news

Erik ten Hag is still contending with a lengthy injury list. The Dutchman is without Casemiro, Amad Diallo, Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez and Mason Mount.

Chelsea’s absentee list doesn’t look any better. Trevoh Chalobah, Ben Chilwell, Carney Chukwuemeka, Wesley Fofana and Christopher Nkunku are all injured while Conor Gallagher is suspended.

There are also doubts over Marcus Bettinelli, Mako Gusto and Romeo Lavia.