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EPL Odds: Chelsea Face Last Big Test of Season vs. Man U

Don Aguero

by Don Aguero in Soccer News

Updated Jan 17, 2018 · 9:39 AM PST

Willian - Chelsea's star winger
Photo credit: Aleksandr Osipov [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)]

Manchester United (+184) vs. Chelsea (+192), Draw (+220)

Chelsea (24-3-4, 75 points) face their last real challenge of the season this Sunday, April 16th, when they take on Manchester United (15-12-3, 57 points) for the 33rd fixture of the English Premier League.

The Blues are currently in good standing to win the title with a seven-point lead over the league and just six rounds remaining. Manchester United is the last top-tier side they will have to face, after that it’s easy sailing to the end.

Having said that, Chelsea did just lose 2-1 to a 16th-place Crystal Palace. So it’s still a little too soon to declare them the champs. But aside from their recent hiccup, the current Chelsea squad has been remarkably consistent. Since Antonio Conte’s formation change early in the season, they haven’t left the top spot.

Man United are currently on a 21-game unbeaten streak, a feat unrivaled in the league this season. However, of those 21 games only 11 have been wins. The United season has been riddled with disappointing draws against teams they should have easily beaten. Their last five games have been against mid to bottom-table teams and they only managed to pick up two wins.

 

 

Keeper David de Gea has been absent for Man U’s last few matches but he’s expected to be back between the posts come Sunday. Chris Smalling, Phil Jones, and Juan Mata, however, aren’t so fortunate. All three aren’t expected to recover in time for the game. Meanwhile Chelsea do not have any notable injuries to deal with.

Manchester United are travelling back from Belgium after their recent Europa League quarter-final against Anderlecht resulted in a 1-1 draw. Even if Man U were able to field their best starting lineup, they still wouldn’t be at 100 percent.

The Reds still have a lot to play for in the league. If they can bridge a four-point deficit to Manchester City by the end of the season, they’ll have earned themselves a spot in the Champions League next year. But an easier path to the Champions League might be to win Europa.

Chelsea are already very likely to claim the title this year, and if they manage to beat United this weekend, there’ll be very little standing in their way.

Pick: Chelsea (+192)

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