Chelsea has allowed the rest of the competition to gain ground in the race for the Premier League’s final spot in the Champions League. The Blues seemed to be well on their way to finishing behind Liverpool, Leicester City, and Manchester City in the top four, but a recent downturn has opened the race up. Five clubs, including Monday’s opponent Manchester United, are within six points of Chelsea for the spot, and the Blues’ next two opponents are the Red Devils and Tottenham Hotspur. Failing to win both games stands to create a wild final two months in a Premier League season starved of drama.
Don't miss the English Premier League action from Stamford Bridge in London, England at 3 p.m. ET on Monday, February 17, 2020. Catch every moment of the match live on NBCSN.
EPL Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Chelsea -119
Manchester United +329
Draw +266
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
It’s been a rough season for Manchester United. The Red Devils have only won nine games, and they have lost three of their last five matches to fall into a tie for eighth place in the Premier League. United have failed to score in four of their last five matches as the losses of Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have left this club somewhat toothless up top. However, they have shown they can beat the top teams in England this season. In December, the Red Devils knocked off Spurs and Manchester City in the span of four days, and Manchester United hammered Chelsea in Old Trafford in the season opener. Rashford notched a brace, while Anthony Martial and Daniel James provided goals in a 4-0 victory.
The Blues won eight of their first 12 games largely thanks to Tammy Abraham, but Chelsea have had a rough go of it since that hot start. They are 4-3-6 over the last three months, and this club has just one victory in its last five matches. Chelsea’s lone win was a 3-0 romp over Burnley, but the Blues lost to Newcastle United and drew with Brighton & Hove Albion, Arsenal, and Leicester City. The tie with Arsenal was a wasted opportunity as the Gunners were down to 10 men inside of 30 minutes.
Key Injuries
Pogba is out for another three weeks, while Rashford might miss the remainder of the season. Manchester United have really struggled without their two best offensive weapons, but there is even more news on the injury front. Lee Grant will be sidelined for the next two months, and Timothy Fosu-Mensah, Scott McTominay, and Axel Tuanzebe are all questionable. Odion Ighalo was added during the transfer period, but he is currently under quarantine as he was acquired from a club in Shanghai.
Marco van Ginkel has been sidelined for over 15 months for Chelsea, but he is back on the training ground. Christian Pulisic is questionable to take part in this game due to a hip injury, while Ruben Loftus-Cheek is dealing with a lower leg injury that has kept him out for the last month.
Matchup to Watch
Both clubs have had some issues on the attack since the new year. United’s are largely injury based as the club has no real playmaker outside of Anthony Martial now, while Chelsea’s woes have been caused by Tammy Abraham coming back down to Earth. Abraham has scored just two goals in the last ten matches, and no one on the Blues has been able to fill his shoes. A lone goal may well win this match.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
The under is the play here. United have been defending well with Harry Maguire in the middle of the back line, and the Red Devils are unlikely to score more than once against Chelsea.
English Premier League Odds: Chelsea 1, Manchester United 0
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