Game Week 37 Predictions: Chelsea to beat Manchester United

Chelsea face must-win clash vs. Man United to keep Champions League hopes alive, as United eyes Europa League glory. Stamford Bridge showdown looms.

Chelsea must find ways to beat Manchester United, they cannot afford to drop points as the stakes are at the highest. (Photo credit: Opta)

 Chelsea vs Manchester United

Stamford Bridge

8:15pm

There are no two ways about it: Chelsea must beat Manchester United on Friday night or forget about going to the Champions League next season. Everything is hinged on this game; they must win.

They have a chance; Manchester United doesn’t care about anything else outside the Europa League final, which also qualifies them for the Champions League next season. All eyes are on that game against Tottenham next week; the Red Devils won’t give their all against Chelsea.

Chelsea wraps up the season away at Nottingham Forest, a team also in the Champions League qualification dogfight. It’s imperative for Chelsea to get a result that makes whatever happens on the final day against Forest academic; however, there is Aston Villa lurking as well.

The Blues are level on points with Unai Emery’s men and only above them on goal difference. Villa is at home to Tottenham on Friday, and a win for them puts Chelsea under pressure with Forest away at West Ham. There are no two ways about it; the Blues must win this one.

Manchester United has endured their worst ever season in the Premier League since its inception in 1992. This is the worst Manchester United side ever, but if they win the Europa League, which they could well do, they would have some gloss over a rotten season.

Chelsea is also in a European Cup final. Enzo Maresca’s side will play against Real Betis in the final of the Europa Conference League. While a win only qualifies them for the Europa League, Chelsea would become the only English side to have won every European competition if they beat Betis.

How will Chelsea approach this? Maresca is known to complicate things; he doesn’t have to in a game like this. Romeo Lavia has become important to his midfield; together with Caicedo, you have a solid platform, and Enzo Fernandes completes the trio.

Cole Palmer as a false 9 could be the way to go with Nicolas Jackson suspended after his indiscretions against Newcastle last weekend; the defence won’t face a lot of pressure from a tired United side, and they should be able to help the attack.

United will use the game to prepare for next week’s final; Amad Diallo and Mason Mount have injected some bite into the United squad since returning from injury. They will both have a part to play on Friday night as both clubs fight for different things.

Verdict: Chelsea to win.