Manchester United vs Chelsea (FA Cup Semifinal)

The 2020 FA Cup semifinals are on the program this weekend. On Saturday evening, Arsenal faces Manchester City. A day later, Manchester United vs Chelsea game is taking place.

There’s so much at stake in this game – the winner gets £1.8m, as well as a chance to compete for the FA Cup trophy on August 1.

• Date: Sunday, July 19
• Time: 01:00 p.m. (Eastern Time)
• Venue: Wembley Stadium (No Fans)
• Competition: FA Cup
• Previous Meeting: 2-0 MUFC in Premier League (February 17, 2020)

At this stage of the competition, there are no replays. If the game finishes in a draw, instead of playing another game, the two will have to play an additional 30 minutes of extra time. And if the game remains level after two hours of play, a penalty shootout will decide who gets to play the final.

Manchester United vs Chelsea Odds

Manchester United vs Chelsea Betting Preview

Manchester United has been more successful in the recent duels between the two. The Red Devils won their previous three games against Chelsea, and are without a defeat to the London side since May 2018. That’s when Chelsea beat them 1-0 in an FA Cup game, with a goal scored by Eden Hazard, who’s now playing for the new La Liga champion, Real Madrid.

Hazard is not the only participant of that game who’s moved from Chelsea to Real Madrid. Thibaut Courtois, who was one of the top performers in that match, also went the same way. Today, Chelsea’s first-choice goalkeeper is Kepa Arrizabalaga, although Frank Lampard tends to go with Wilfredo Caballero for cup games. Either way, Chelsea does not seem too great at the back.

This is the team that’s conceded 49 goals in the Premier League, which is more than any other team from the top 10. The London Blues haven’t been that bad defensively in the FA Cup. Still, that fact doesn’t give their fans too much confidence as Chelsea is facing one of the most attacking-minded teams in England.

Red Devils Score 21 Goals After COVID-19 Break

English soccer returned in June, and since then, Manchester United has played seven Premier League matches and one FA Cup game. The Red Devils are without a defeat in this period, but what’s most impressive about their performances is that this team has scored a total of 21 goals.

Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are leading the way as the top goal-scorers in this team, with the teenage forward Mason Greenwood recently joining the conversation. Still, the two guys who have really launched Man United to the next level are two midfielders – Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.

Backing Bruno Fernandes to score seems like a very good soccer proposition bet. The Portuguese playmaker has been in the spotlight ever since he’s joined the club from Sporting Lisbon during the winter transfer window. He’s the man who takes part in practically every attack this team makes. In addition, he is also responsible for taking penalties.

With all the eyes on Fernandes, Paul Pogba can relax and play the way he likes to play. Attractive passes, surgically precise long shots, breathtaking dribbles – this is what this guy has been providing the viewers since the restart of English soccer.

League Worries for London Blues

The winner of the FA Cup gets a spot in the Europa League, but that’s not something Chelsea wants. Everyone involved with this club believes Chelsea belongs to the elite continental competition, which is the Champions League.

This team is currently among the top four teams in the Premier League. However, Chelsea can easily slip below the Champions League places. Just three days after the FA Cup semifinal, Chelsea plays the newly-crowned champ Liverpool in the Premier League, followed by a game against Wolves in the final round.

With only one point more than Leicester City and Manchester United, Chelsea could drop down even with a tiny slip. The Foxes are playing Tottenham and Manchester United before the end of the season.

Man United, before playing Leicester in the final round, has a fairly easier task – a game against West Ham.

For all these reasons, the minds of Chelsea players might be set on the Premier League, rather than on the semifinal game at the empty Wembley.

Manchester United vs Chelsea Prediction

Manchester United seems like the favorite in this game for several reasons. Not only are the Red Devils in a fantastic form, but they also seem incredibly lethal in the final third. That’s something Chelsea’s leaky defense doesn’t seem capable of dealing with.

Our prediction:

• Manchester United (+145)