Chelsea vs Man United: Premier League preview, predictions and bet builder tips

• Fixture: Chelsea vs Man United

• Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

• Kick-off: 20:00 BST

• Venue: Stamford Bridge

Our prediction: Chelsea 1-1 Man United

Chelsea

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Sanchez / Gusto, Fofana, Chalobah, Cucurella / Caicedo, Lavia / Estevao, Palmer, Neto / Pedro

Man United

Our predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens / Mazraoui, Yoro, Shaw, Dalot / Casemiro, Mainoo / Amad, Fernandes, Cunha / Mbeumo

Two of the Premier League's elite meet in a crucial fixture in the race for Champions League qualification. Chelsea have lost ground after three consecutive league defeats and now find themselves in 6th, seven points below Man United in 3rd. United have been much improved under interim boss Michael Carrick, but suffered a damaging 2-1 defeat last time out at home to Leeds.

The Red Devils are without a win in their last five attempts at Stamford Bridge, with their last victory here coming just before the first Covid lockdown. They're on a run of two wins in their last eight away games, although Chelsea's home form hasn't been great either, having suffered back-to-back defeats to Newcastle and Man City, and dropping points to Leeds and Burnley before that.

With both sides searching for fluency, we're predicting that this will end up in a 1-1 draw, a result which would leave United the happier of the two sides and in a commanding position to secure Champions League qualification.

To go with our 1-1 prediction, we're selecting both teams to score as part of our Chelsea vs Man United bet builder. Both teams have scored in 88% of Man Utd's away games this season, while in eight of the last nine meetings between the two sides, both teams have found the back of the net. Although the Blues have failed to score in the last three, United haven't kept a clean sheet in five, so we're predicting there to be goals for each side.

Summer signing Matheus Cunha had to work his way into Carrick's first eleven, but forced his way in after his superb winner away at Arsenal in January, and he has started the last nine games since.

The former Wolves man has shown flashes of brilliance since his move and looks to have the temperament to play at Old Trafford, but there is the sense that he has more to deliver. Cunha has been in good form of late and has completed ninety minutes in five of the last six. The Brazil forward has at least one shot on target in each of the last five games, and we're backing him to continue that streak at Stamford Bridge.

Casemiro has made a real impact in his final season as a Manchester United player, rolling back the years in midfield as well as providing a goal threat in the opposition box. The ex-Real Madrid midfielder has already scored eight Premier League goals this season, including another header against Leeds, more than his entire league tally for United prior to this year.

His goalscoring exploits may be new, but more familiar is the Brazilian's tendency to get booked, given his role breaking up play in front of the defence. Casemiro has eight yellow cards and one red in the league this season, and has been booked in four of his last five games for club and country. He was carded in United's last away game at Bournemouth, and we're tipping Casemiro to be shown a card again at Chelsea.

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All odds and markets are correct as of the date of publication.