* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Another man has tried and failed to turn the tide at Manchester United who seem to be slowly but surely edging further down the Arsenal highway to obscurity. Of course United will never been an irrelevance, but they are when it comes to contending for major silverware right now. And no, I don’t count the Europa League in that bracket.
So, it’s farewell to the supply teacher who tried to be your best mate and massively overstayed his welcome in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and hello his assistant and the new interim-interim manager Michael Carrick. His dalliance with the big job will surely be short but sweet with German genius Ralf Rangnick set to parachute in until the end of the season.
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Licking his lips will be Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel who continues to merrily go about showing everyone what a proper manager looks like. The former Borussia Dortmund and Paris St-Germain tactician has been a revelation at Stamford Bridge and he’s already got a Champions League winners medal in his back pocket in SW6. He’s only been there for 10 months.
This should be a relative walk in the park for The Blues against a team who have proven themselves repeatedly incapable against the bigger sides and increasingly so against the also-rans. I just can’t see Carrick masterminding a revival and, with that fate well-and-truly tempted, here’s your three best Chelsea v Manchester United tips.
Sunday 4.30pm: Chelsea v Manchester United
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Safe Bet: Chelsea to Win
Chelsea proudly sit at the summit of the Premier League heading into this contest and they’ve lost just twice all season, in back-to-back games against Manchester City and Juventus in September. We can forgive them that, I think.
United have already lost seven in all competitions this term with four of those coming in their last eight across the competitions. Over the last 10 matches for each side, Chelsea have won eight and drawn two while United have won four with three of those coming in Europe.
It’s not just the form pointing towards Chelsea, their defence is impeccable and they’ve shipped just three in their last 10 matches with the goal-shy Southampton somehow bagging 66% of those goals. Burnley got the other one. United fans looks away, your mob have seen 21 fly past David De Gea over the same timeframe.
Chelsea should Win this and win this well. United, for all their many faults, do pose a threat in attack but Carrick probably doesn’t have the ability to sort out his backline and he definitely doesn’t have the time to do so.
Value Play: Chelsea to Win to Nil
See above, really. Leicester, who put four past United, and Juventus have failed to breach Chelsea’s brilliant backline in the last eight days and The Blues have kept seven clean sheets in their last 10.
Even in victory against Villarreal during the week The Red Devils didn’t look great and it took two relatively late goals to sink the Yellow Submarine after a strong showing from De Gea in nets. With Chelsea in the same league, quality-wise, as Liverpool and Manchester City these days I think we’ll see something similar here as to those games with Chelsea Winning to Nil.
Long Shot: Chelsea to Win 3-0
Doubling down here to round us off, but I think this might be worth a go. Chelsea had been hampered by some injuries to key attacking players in recent weeks and it looks like Romelu Lukaku will miss out again. However, the lovable if slightly calamitous Timo Werner has returned and even scored against Juventus during the week.
While he sometimes struggles to his the proverbial cow’s a**s, his movement and hustle will cause United’s static and disorganised defence all kinds of trouble. I haven’t even mentioned The Blues’ bevvy of class attacking midfielders yet.
Chelsea have rediscovered their scoring form of late with seven goals scored in their last two. They’ve scored at least three or more in six of their last 10 games. If you’re feeling really ballsy 4-0 is a very healthy price but I’m happy to side with Chelsea to Win 3-0 as your long shot.
Chelsea v Manchester United Tips
Safest Bet: Chelsea to Win
Value Play: Chelsea to Win to Nil
Long Shot: Chelsea to Win 3-0
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
Sunday’s football tips
- ACCA: Sunday’s 18/1 shot from the Prem’s 2pm kick-offs
- TRADER TIPS: A belting best bet for Chelsea v Man Utd
- CHEAT SHEET: Paddy’s traders pick their punts on Sunday
- THOMMO: 13/2 punt will do in 4 Chelsea v Man Utd punts
- CAWLEY’S CALL: 4 FAI Cup final best bets for Bohs v St Pats
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