For all your wagering, fantasy football and daily fantasy concerns (daily fantasy is just gambling anyway), here is the Manchester United injury report and odds versus Chelsea. Or perhaps you are only perusing this for entertainment and novelty purposes. That’s totally fine as well.
Two very familiar names in the back line, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones, are still out of action, long term. Likewise for Juan Mata. For the last name in the list, it’s a real shame as he won’t have the opportunity to face his former team. In January of 2014, the Spaniard moved over from Chelsea to United for a then club record £37.5 million.
“End of May,” Manager Jose Mourinho said as he ruled Juan Mata out for the season at a news conference following United’s draw with Anderlecht in the UEFA Europa League last night.
“And Phil Jones and Chris Smalling, mid-May.” Here’s a link to more on what Mourinho had to say about Mata.
For Mourinho, it’s an emotional game against his former club as well. However, the Portugese downplayed the added significance of the match and made the claim that Sunday’s contest will be just like every other fixture. Mourinho had a dust-up with Chelsea boss Antonio Conte in the first meeting, and the Blues manager was asked about it at his news conference.
He wouldn’t take the bait.
If you want to read the full comments go to this link.
According to Sky Bet, United are substantial favorites. It’s 13/8 for a United victory. Odds for a draw are 21/1o. For a Chelsea victory, we’re seeing 9/5.
So the Red Devils are being backed significantly to win this one.
Prediction: Chelsea 2, United 1
I think the odds makers are wrong personally. United are a bit short-handed while the Blues are focused in on winning the league title, and they need to stay on point in order to fend off Tottenham Hotspur.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times and NBC Chicago.com, contributes to Chicago Tribune.com, Bold, WGN CLTV and KOZN.
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