The Blues are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Newcastle last weekend, where goals from Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães halted their recent momentum. That loss ended a five-game winning streak and was their first Premier League defeat since mid-March, leaving them clinging to fifth place — the final Champions League qualification spot — and level on points with sixth-placed Aston Villa.
Despite that setback, Chelsea can take comfort in their strong home form. They haven’t lost at Stamford Bridge in the league since Boxing Day, when a late goal gave Fulham the win. In fact, only Liverpool and Villa have lost fewer home games than Chelsea this season. The Blues have also had the upper hand in recent home meetings with United, going unbeaten in their last four clashes in West London since early 2021.
On the other hand, Manchester United’s season continues to unravel. They slumped to a 2-0 home loss to West Ham last Sunday — their seventh league match without a win — and have now dropped to 16th in the table. Goals from Tomas Soucek and Jarrod Bowen sealed the latest blow for United, who now sit on just 39 points and are dangerously close to finishing with their worst-ever Premier League tally.
United’s only glimmer of hope is their Europa League campaign, where they’ll face Tottenham in the final next week. But their domestic form has been dire — they’ve picked up just one point from their last four away games, with their last win on the road coming back in March against Leicester City.
With matches against top-five contenders Chelsea and Aston Villa still to come, and just one point separating them from the dreaded 40-point mark usually seen as the bare minimum for survival, United are limping toward the finish line.
It’s a tale of two very different seasons: Chelsea fighting for the top, and United desperate to avoid an embarrassing finish. Friday’s clash at the Bridge could be a pivotal moment for both clubs.
INJURIES & SUSPENSIONS
Chelsea will be without striker Nicolas Jackson for the rest of the Premier League season after he was sent off in the first half of their loss to Newcastle at St James’ Park last weekend.
His suspension comes at a bad time for manager Enzo Maresca, who is already short on attacking options. Both Christopher Nkunku (knock) and Marc Guiu (hamstring) are sidelined with injuries, leaving Chelsea without a recognized central striker.
The injury list doesn't end there. Defender Wesley Fofana (muscle) and young midfielder Omari Kellyman (hamstring) are also ruled out for the remainder of the campaign.
To make matters more complicated, Jadon Sancho won’t be available to face his parent club due to the terms of his loan deal, limiting Chelsea’s attacking choices even further.
Manchester United are dealing with their own injury woes. Joshua Zirkzee (hamstring), Lisandro Martínez (knee), and Diogo Dalot (calf) are all out long-term. And there could be more bad news at the back — young center-back Leny Yoro limped off with a foot injury during the defeat to West Ham and is now a doubt for the trip to Stamford Bridge.
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS
Chelsea possible starting lineup:
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Colwill, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Madueke, Palmer, George; Neto
Manchester United possible starting lineup:
Bayindir; Fredricson, Lindelof, Shaw; Kamason, Eriksen, Ugarte, Amass; Mainoo, Garnacho; Obi
EXPERT PREDICTION
Chelsea 2-1 Manchester United
