Game Week 31 Predictions: Chelsea and United to settle for a draw

Manchester United vs Chelsea preview: Struggling giants battle for a crucial result in the Premier League derby.

Manchester United and Chelsea are both having an underwhelming season, they both have the opportunity of giving their fans something to cheer when they meet on Thursday. (Photo credit: GOAL)

 Chelsea vs. Manchester United

Stamford Bridge

8:15pm

It’s the derby of two struggling teams. Heavy spending and poor output. The duo of Manchester United and Chelsea have endured an underwhelming season. The two of them are far away from their respective goals, but they must fight for a better finish.

Manchester United frustrated their fans in their last game, but not for the first time. They were the second-best throughout the game, managed to score a 96th-minute goal through the returning Mason Mount, but conceded less than two minutes later to end the game 1-1.

The same can be said for the Blues; rock-bottom Burnley earned an improbable point at Stamford Bridge, coming back twice to end the game at 2-2. If Burnley survives the drop, that famous point would add to their incredible story.

What is the problem with Chelsea despite the investment? You can look at how much they spend on the wrong players or the acquisition of players they don’t need out of fear of missing out and outright greed. Lots of things must change in the summer.

For Manchester United, the wholesome changes promised by Sir Jim Ratcliff are promising, but they must get it right. Some players must leave, and the young ones must be nurtured by an intentional coach. Erik Ten Hag is something entirely different.

How will they both line up? Manchester United beat Chelsea in the first leg; they would hope to do it again, and you can’t stop them from dreaming. The Blues concede for fun, but their defensive crisis isn’t getting better despite having players back from injury.

Ten Hag is expected to hand Mason Mount a starting role in the game on Thursday, with Kobbie Mainoo set to be rested. The teenager is playing too many games, and, as seen in the game against the Bees, he’s already looking burned.

Chelsea can name two separate elevens with the number of options they have; they don’t have any identity, and they are frustrated with the way they play in the opposition box. Raheem Sterling was named on the bench in the last game; he could start against United with Nicolas Jackson and Mykhailo Mudryk.

Manchester United won the last two between these two, and the rest of the last five ended in 1-1 draws. It’s safer to lean towards the stalemate, but a win for the Red Devils takes them closer to the fifth spot currently occupied by Tottenham.

 Verdict: Full time draw