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Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge in a huge clash in the race for European qualification.
Victory would realistically lift Chelsea back up to tenth in the table unless they can win by three or more goals which would put them ninth, whilst Utd will stay sixth regardless of the result.
Team News
Malo Gusto is expected to be available for Chelsea despite having suffered cramp in their 2-2 draw against Burnley.
Ben Chilwell (knee), Robert Sanchez, Trevoh Chalobah (both unspecified) and Carney Chukwuemeka (knock) could also feature.
Levi Colwill (toe), Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Christopher Nkunku (all hamstring), Wesley Fofana (ACL), and Romeo Lavia (thigh) remain ruled out.
Man Utd will be without Victor Lindelöf and Lisandro Martinez after the defensive duo suffered respective hamstring and calf injuries in their 1-1 draw at Brentford.
Amad Diallo is available following his one-match ban but Altay Bayindir (muscle), Jonny Evans and Raphael Varane (both knock) are expected to be in contention.
Luke Shaw (muscle), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Anthony Martial (groin) remain sidelined.
When is Kick-Off?
Chelsea host Man Utd at Stamford Bridge on Thursday 4 April at 8:15pm BST, live on TNT Sports 1 in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea are winless in their last 12 league meetings against Man Utd (D7, L5).
- Man Utd have claimed seven points in their last five league visits to Chelsea (W1, D4).
- Ex midfielder, Jorginho scored in each of Chelsea’s last two league matches at home to Man Utd (D2).
- Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues have kept just one clean sheets in four league matches at home in 2024 (W2, D1, L1).
- Man Utd have claimed just four points in five away matches to London-based clubs this season (W1, D1, L3).
Prediction
Currently stuck in a massive scrap against several teams for an European spot, Chelsea can’t afford to drop points like they did against Burnley with sloppy second-half marking whilst their attack were wasteful aside from Cole Palmer.
Man Utd meanwhile have to sort out their mentality because they looked lacklustre without much attacking fight at Brentford, yet their stubborn defending and a clinical moment snatched them a draw despite conceding barely after they led.
Both teams therefore need to buckle up their ideas because this is realistically a must-not lose for Chelsea but a must-win for Utd if aren’t to get sucked right back into that scrap for the last Europa League slot which they currently hold.
A draw on that note is my instinctive feeling because I don’t expect a cracker but Man Utd should have enough to at least scrape one point.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Manchester United
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