Chelsea could really do with an emphatic performance and result when they host Manchester United later this week at Stamford Bridge.
Chelsea’s return after the international break was meant to be a fresh start and a catalyst to finish the season strongly. Instead, the Blues could only manage a 2-2 draw at home to ten-men Burnley on Saturday.
As a result of the weekend disappointment, the Blues still only sit 11th in the Premier League table looking up at the European spots.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side welcome rivals Man United to Stamford Bridge on Thursday night for their next league fixture. Incidentally, United won the reverse meeting 2-1 back in December.
Writing for Sportskeeda on Monday, Paul Merson has predicted the result of Chelsea against Man United in the league clash.
Table of Contents
Mauricio Pochettino vs Erik ten Hag head-to-head record
These two high-profile managers have only directly faced each other in the dugout three times, but it’s certainly an intriguing growing rivalry.
As mentioned above, it was 2-1 to Erik Ten Hag’s side against Pochettino’s men a few months ago. But that’s their only clash as the respective managers of Man United and Chelsea.
MORE CHELSEA STORIES
The only other showdown between them was the epic Champions League semi-final tie between Ten Hag’s Ajax and Pochettino’s Tottenham back in 2019.
Ajax won the first leg 1-0 in north London. However, a Lucas Moura hat-trick in the second-half of the second leg earned Spurs a 3-2 win on the night and progress to a final they lost versus Liverpool.
- Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea – 6 December 2023
- Ajax 2-3 Tottenham – 8 May 2019
- Tottenham 0-1 Ajax – 30 April 2019
Chris Sutton prediction
BBC pundit Chris Sutton has made his weekly pre-match predictions for the Premier League.
He’s shared his huge concern about the current state of Pochettino’s team, but suggests the magic of 21-year-old Cole Palmer can see them get over the line to win against Man United.
During this first year in west London, Palmer’s got 16 goals and 12 assists in 35 Blues appearances so far.
“Cole Palmer continues to be a bright spark for the Blues but something is not right with the rest of the team. If they cannot beat Burnley at home when the Clarets are down to 10 men, then heaven help them,” Sutton told BBC Sport.
“All things considered, it makes this game [against Manchester United] impossible to predict. It feels like it will probably be a draw but Palmer will score so I am going to go with him to get the decider.
“Sutton’s prediction: 2-1.”
