Manchester United travels to Chelsea FC on Thursday night for what could easily be called the Overspending and Getting Very Little ROI Cup. Or the Very Injury Riddled Traditionally Big Club Cup. So while these two teams have a lot in common on the macro level this season, there is plenty of commonality on the micro too. Chelsea could only manage a draw against Burnley, the penultimate side in the table, and a near lock to be relegated this season.
United’s weekend was equally awful, as they only took one single point from a clash with Brentford, the 15th place side in the table.
Manchester United at Chelsea FC FYIs
Kick: Thurs. Apr. 4, 8:15 pm, Stamford Bridge
Starting XI Predictions: Chelsea FC Manchester United
Team News: Chelsea FC Manchester United
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
Google Result Probability: Chelsea FC win 48% Draw 23% Manchester United 29%
PL Standing, Form Guide: Chelsea FC 11th, 40 pts, DWDDW Manchester United 6th, 48 pts, DWLLW
And the way that United played, they were actually lucky to even get that single point. If they don’t get their act together down the stretch here this season, they might end up with a fate even worse than Europa League. It is possible that United ends up in Conference League next term.
Manchester United Starting XI Prediction at Chelsea FC
Andre Onana, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, Rasmus Hojlund
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to Ravens Wire, part of the USA Today SMG’s NFL Wire Network and the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated, Chicago Tribune and the Washington Times. You can follow him on Twitter.