Manchester United v Chelsea predictions: Blues can maintain strong away record

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Manchester United v Chelsea in the Premier League on Thursday.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Main Event & Premier League, 7.45pm Thursday

Best bet

Chelsea
1pt 5-4 general

Team news

Manchester United
Harry Maguire (knee) and Jadon Sancho (tonsillitis) have joined Fred (groin), Luke Shaw, Paul Pogba and Edinson Cavani (all calf) on the sidelines.

Chelsea
Antonio Rudiger is set to return but Mateo Kovacic (ankle), Callum Hudson-Odoi (calf), Ross Barkley (illness) and Ben Chilwell (knee) continue to miss out.

Match preview

Chelsea have not been at their best since getting knocked out of the Champions League but they have the second-best away record in the Premier League and can enhance it with a victory over injury-hit Manchester United at Old Trafford.

A summer of change could be on the cards for both clubs with United getting ready to rebuild under Erik ten Hag and Chelsea waiting to see what a change of ownership will bring.

But for now there is a large gap in quality between the teams with the Blues 13 points better off despite having played two games fewer.

Goal difference is an even bigger eye-opener with Chelsea on plus 40 and United on plus two, and the mood among United supporters is likely to be somewhere between grumpy and rebellious with many unlikely to be appeased by last week's managerial announcement.

The Red Devils were brushed aside 4-0 at Liverpool before showing more purpose in Saturday's 3-1 loss at Arsenal, but they struggled defensively on both occasions and their suspect backline, which has been weakened further by Fred's recent absence from the base of the midfield, is likely to be exposed.

Chelsea made hard work of Sunday's 1-0 success at home to West Ham, but Christian Pulisic's late winner is likely to have lifted their spirits.

They have been more successful on the road, recording 11 of their 19 league wins away from Stamford Bridge, and look the likelier winners against a United side further weakened by the additions of Harry Maguire (knee) and Jadon Sancho (tonsillitis) to their lengthy absentee list.

Key stat

Chelsea have won their last eight away matches.

Inside info

Manchester United

Penalty taker Cristiano Ronaldo/Bruno Fernandes
Free-kick wizard Cristiano Ronaldo/Bruno Fernandes
Set-piece aerial threat Cristiano Ronaldo
Card magnet Scott McTominay

Chelsea

Penalty taker Jorginho
Free-kick wizard Mason Mount/Marcos Alonso
Set-piece aerial threat Antonio Rudiger
Card magnet Marcos Alonso

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