Chelsea v Manchester United Betting Tip Under 2.5 goals – 18 February 2019

Cagey affair expected at Stamford Bridge

FA Cup & League Cup Tips

EnglandChelsea v Manchester UnitedEngland
Monday 18th February 1930hrs 
Football – England – FA Cup
Pick Under 2.5 goals
Bookmaker Marathon Bet
Odds: 11/10 (odds taken 22.30 GMT, Sunday 17th February)

It’s been a disappointing past week for both these clubs but the opportunity to make it into the quarter finals of the FA Cup is one Chelsea and Manchester United both want to take on Monday in the final tie of the fifth round to be played.

FA Cup Betting at Marathon Bet

Chelsea Preview

There were plenty of people predicting that Maurizo Sarri would not be in charge of Chelsea for this game, following the 6-0 mauling they suffered in the Premier League at the hands of the other half of Manchester. It was their heaviest defeat in a generation and one that can often signal the end of a manager’s time in charge of a top club. The Italian has survived for now, however, and led Chelsea to a narrow 2-1 win away to Malmo in the Blues first leg Europa League round of 32 game. It should be an altogether different test on Monday as they welcome Manchester United to Stamford Bridge in a game that will have the whole country watching to see how Chelsea respond to last week’s humiliation. Their progress to this stage has been courtesy of straightforward home wins against Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday and it’s been their form at the ‘Bridge that has kept them from falling out the picture for top four. It’s now five straight wins at home in all competitions and that will give them some comfort for Monday’s game. Their record at home in the FA Cup is even better again, winning 12 ties on the spin. Sarri will certainly be hoping it’s not an unlucky 13th.

 

Key-Facts – Chelsea v Manchester United

  • Chelsea are the reigning FA Cup holders, defeating Manchester United in last season’s final
  • 10 of the last 15 meetings between these two have contained two or fewer goals
  • Both teams will be looking to bounce back following recent disappointing defeats

 

Manchester United Preview

It had to happen at some point and it eventually occurred on Tuesday against PSG as United lost a match under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for the first time. It’s all been so positive since the Norwegian took over from Jose Mourinho and confidence was high for the visit of the French champions but in truth, they never really got going and were second best for much of the game. The interesting now will be the reaction to that defeat from the players – some of whom have been known to be temperamental when things do not go their way. It’s also a test for Solskjaer who has not had to lift players following a loss in his time at the club so far. A routine win over Reading at Old Trafford followed by an impressive 3-1 success away to Arsenal has led United to this stage. Another trip to London against a rival awaits them in this round and it’s always a test from them playing at Chelsea. This game is made that bit harder by the fact that Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard will both be missing for it with the duo picking up injuries in the defeat to PSG – both have been very impressive under the interim coach.

Chelsea v Manchester United Betting Preview

It is undoubtedly the tie of the round and with it being played on Monday it gives both Chelsea and Manchester United an extra day to recover from their European exploits – particularly Chelsea who played on Thursday. Sarri is certainly in much more need of the win that his counterpart due to Chelsea’s current struggles in the league but the FA Cup is a trophy that both these teams have recent memories of winning, with Chelsea successful in 2018 (beating United in the final) and the Old Trafford team winning it back in 2016 – so the two of them will be desperate to reach the quarter finals.

As alluded to above, Chelsea have been good at home in recent times but United have won all six away matches under Solskjaer, including that win over Arsenal in the last round when they were excellent on the counterattack. Martial and Lingard missing is a blow for the visitors due to their pace to execute on the counter and it could lead to a change of tactics. The sides drew 2-2 when they met in the league earlier in the season but recent matches between have tended to be low-scoring affairs. Indeed, 10 of the last 15 head to heads have had two or fewer goals scored in them and I’m backing on this being another tight affair.