2025 EPL: Chelsea vs. United: Bets to Avoid
by Tyler Doty | by Tyler Doty
Chelsea's Must-Win Situation
Chelsea currently sits on 63 points, tied with Aston Villa, and holding fifth place in the race for next season’s Champions League. After slipping up away at Newcastle, where Nicolas Jackson’s red card proved costly, Enzo Maresca’s side is expected to take risks to secure all three points and climb the table. The good news? They’ve won three straight at home.
Tip: Chelsea to win at half-time (-135 at FanDuel)
As mentioned earlier, Chelsea is expected to control the match and push for an early goal, led by the likes of Enzo Fernández and Cole Palmer. Manchester United, meanwhile, has failed to keep a clean sheet in eight of its last nine matches. There's also a strong chance that manager Rúben Amorim rotates the squad, with the Europa League final against Tottenham just days away.
Tip: Goal in both halves (-230 at FanDuel)
Chelsea will likely dictate play, given their urgent need for points to secure Champions League qualification. They’re not expected to rest key players yet, since their Conference League final isn’t for another two weeks. United, on the other hand, will likely lean on counterattacks, with Alejandro Garnacho continuing to start even in a rotated lineup.
United’s Ongoing Slump
Manchester United’s league form has collapsed. They’re winless in their last seven Premier League matches, and if you go back even further, they’ve won just two of their last 13. The trend has been especially poor during European competition weeks, they’ve lost four times under similar scheduling pressure. That pattern doesn’t look likely to change now.
Avoid: Manchester United to win
In soccer, anything can happen, surprises are part of the game. But this time around, Manchester United hasn’t shown much firepower, and it’s hard to see them scoring against Chelsea, especially considering the Blues have kept clean sheets in two of their last three home matches. From that perspective, it’s unlikely United scores more than once over the full 90 minutes.
Avoid: Over 1.5 goals for Manchester United
From a broader perspective, Chelsea should be able to showcase their attack, just like they did in the 3–1 win over Liverpool, another heavyweight in the league, and stay on track toward their main UEFA objective. Meanwhile, Manchester United has conceded six goals in their last three matches, and with a rotated lineup and their focus on the upcoming European final, they’re likely to struggle.
Avoid: Under 2.5 total goals
If you want more detailed stats on how these two clubs have been performing, check out SportyTrader’s team comparison tool! It gives you averages for goals, fouls, shots on target, and more. And to make the most of the best odds and bonuses, be sure to explore our list of top sportsbooks for your Premier League picks.
