Saturday 25th February 2018

Manchester Utd v Chelsea 14:05

Manchester United and Chelsea both come into this weekend off the back of convincing FA Cup wins last weekend, and are now into the Quarter-Finals in that competition.

However, the we are back to league matters this weekend and with these two Premier League heavyweights lining-up then it’s always a match football fans pin-point when the fixtures are announced.

Both teams are very much in race for a top four place, but with City having the league much sewn-up then the likes of United, Chelsea, Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal are playing for the remaining three Champions League slots.

What do the head-to-head stats say?

They met already this season at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea winning that one 1-0 thanks to a Morata goal – and repeat of that score can be backed at 11.00.

However, with in front of their home fans, United will be a lot more fancied here and the match betting backs this up with the Red Devils 2.00, the Draw 3.30 and Chelsea on offer at 3.80.

Last season’s repeat clash finished Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea, while with the Londoners having scored just one goal in their last four league trips to Old Trafford then it’s not really been the best hunting ground for them in recent years. A repeat of that score can be backed at 10.00.

Having said, that I’d certainly not put you off the draw. 75% of the last 4 repeat clashes ended all-square and with both sides probably being happy with a point each then this option is sure to be popular – of the three win-draw-win outcomes looks the one with the most value.

Will there be goals scored?

The quick answer here – if the stats are to be repeated – is probably not. As already mentioned, Chelsea have only scored once e in their last four trips to Old Trafford, while BOTH TEAMS HAVE ‘NOT’ SCORED in 6 of the last 7 head-to-heads. Plus, this bet has also paid out in 4 of the last 5 repeat fixtures.

Taking this into account, the 1.80 on offer on one (or both) of the sides keeping a clean sheet stands out and is certainly a bet for the short list.

Back the Belgium stars. Chelsea’s Eden Hazard, with 11 league goals, and United’s Lukaku, with 12, lead the way on the scoring front for their clubs so are sure to be popular in the first and anytime goal markets.

However, the call here is for this to be a tight and cagey game. Yes, a win for either side will give their hopes of a top four finish a massive shot in the arm, but you also feel that they’d both settle for a draw here and move onto easier targets.

If we also note that a massive 7 of the last 8 head-to-heads (88%) between these sides saw Under 2.5 Goals scored then even at 1.66 there looks to be some value in this option, so this is how we are going to play this one.

Both teams NOT to score is certainly an option to have on your radar, plus the draw is also hard to ignore, but with Chelsea not having the best scoring record at Old Trafford in recent years then we prefer to remain with UNDER 2.5 GOALS here, in a bet that – don’t forget – has paid out 88% of the time in the last 8 clashes.

BEST BET: UNDER 2.5 GOALS @1.66

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Sunday 25th February 2018

   Manchester United v Chelsea 14:05

  • Already played this season, Chelsea 1-0 Man Utd
  • Last season’s repeat fixture ended, Man Utd 2-0 Chelsea
  • 7 of the last 8 head-to-heads went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
  • Both teams DIDN’T score in 6 of the last 7 head-to-heads
  • The last 5 repeat fixtures went UNDER 2.5 GOALS
  • Chelsea have scored just 1 goal in the last 4 repeat fixtures
  • Both teams DIDN’T score in 4 of the last 5 repeat fixtures
  • 3 of the last 4 repeat fixtures ended in DRAWS
  • Hazard is Chelsea’s top league scorer this season (11)
  • Lukaku is Man Utd’s top league scorer this season (12)