Football
Manchester United vs Chelsea Preview: Odds, Tips and Prediction
Date: September 20, 2025 Kickoff Time: 17:30 (UK Time) Venue: Old Trafford SportsBoom previews the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford on Saturday, 20 September 2025. Chelsea return from UEFA Champions League action in Germany against Bayern Munich, aiming to continue their unbeaten streak in the Premier League against long-time rivals Manchester United. Gain a competitive edge by leveraging our expert analysis on the best online betting sites. Chelsea travel to Old Trafford brimming with confidence, unbeaten in their last four Premier League matches and aiming to heap further misery on an underperforming Manchester United side.
SportsBoom offers honest and impartial bookmaker reviews to help you make informed choices. While we may earn commissions through affiliate links, our content remains independent and free from promotional influence. For more information, see our Content Transparency and How We Review pages.
Bruno Fernandes of Manchester United is challenged by Moises Caicedo of Chelsea//Getty Images
The Red Devils come into the clash having benefited from a midweek rest, while Chelsea were in European action, travelling to Germany for a UEFA Champions League tie against Bayern Munich.
After suffering a bruising 3–0 defeat at the hands of Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester United fans will be desperate for a response and for their team to bounce back with a performance that shows signs of life in what has been a dismal start to the season.
With tensions rising at Old Trafford, Manchester United can’t afford another misstep, especially against a Chelsea side growing in belief and cohesion with each passing week.
PRE-GAME ODDS AND WIN PROBABILITY: CHELSEA CLEAR FAVOURITES
HOME: 175/100 (2.75) – 36,4%
DRAW: 270/100 (3.70) – 27%
AWAY: 145/100 (2.45) – 40,8%
*Odds courtesy of Betway, subject to change
HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD
Last Five Meetings (Premier League)
16/05/25: Chelsea 1-0 Man United
03/11/24: Man United 1-1 Chelsea
04/04/24: Chelsea 4-3 Man United
06/12/23: Man United 2-1 Chelsea
25/05/23: Man United 4-1 Chelsea
MANCHESTER UNITED: CURRENT FORM – LWLDL
On the final day of last season, Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim stood on the pitch apologetically addressing the Old Trafford faithful, vowing that the good days are coming.
Although, after being embarrassingly dumped out of the EFL Cup by Grimsby Town, combined with an underwhelming start to their 2025/26 Premier League campaign, it’s evident that the Red Devils are still in the midst of the storm.
In four Premier League games, Manchester United have only claimed maximum points over newly-promoted Burnley (3-2), courtesy of a 97th-minute Bruno Fernandes penalty.
Previously failing to convert his penalty against Fulham, which resulted in settling for a share of the spoils in a 1-1 stalemate at Craven Cottage.
On the opening day, Manchester United gave a good account of themselves, possibly their best performance this season but ultimately left the contest empty-handed after Riccardo Calafiori scored the crucial game-winning goal for Arsenal (0-1).
Manchester United were dominated in their most recent performance against crosstown rivals Manchester City, succumbing to a 3-0 defeat at the Etihad Stadium with Pep Guardiola’s team seemingly taking their foot off the gas during the second half to concentrate on midweek UEFA Champions League action.
The Red Devils were fortunate not to lose 6-0, which in all fairness would have been a true reflection of the match. Enjoying good spells in the game and creating goal scoring opportunities, yet not making them count by putting the ball in the back of the net.
The opening month of Premier League action has stripped away pre-season illusions, revealing a team riddled with inconsistency, tactical confusion and a glaring lack of cohesion in both performance and mentality.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Bryan Mbeumo: Electric on the ball, fearless in attack, Mbeumo has stood out for United during the early stages of the season with his directness. He’s scored against Grimsby Town and Burnley, but now targets Chelsea. With three goals and three assists in eight games against the Blues, Mbeumo seeks his first big moment against the Red Devils’ perennial rivals.
- Kobbie Mainoo: The promising 20-year-old midfielder was tempted by Thomas Frank to join his new project on loan at Tottenham. However, Manchester United rejected the proposal, stating that Mainoo is integral to their plans. Mainoo was an unused substitute against Arsenal and Fulham, coming off the bench against Burnley and Manchester City. Deserves game time to demonstrate his worth.
- Amad Diallo: Manchester United become far more attacking when Amorim shifts Amad into the wing-back role, usually after starting with the more defensively astute options in Dalot or Mazraoui. In the final 20 to 30 minutes, Amad links up brilliantly with Mbeumo, creating serious problems for defenders caught between tracking two quick-witted and unpredictable threats along the same flank.
MANCHESTER UNITED TEAM NEWS
Newly-signed goalkeeper Senne Lammens is expected to make his debut, taking the gloves from Altay Bayindir.
Lisandro Martinez has been a huge loss for the Red Devils, as Luke Shaw constantly makes errors leading to goals. In fact, Shaw was guilty for all three goals in the Manchester Derby.
Martinez currently recovering from a cruciate ligament injury is expected to return midway through the season.
Meanwhile, Matheus Cunha withdrew from the Brazil squad following an injury against Burnley. Amorim will be sweating on the fitness of Cunha, who’s scored four goals in five games against Chelsea, including a hat-trick at Stamford Bridge for his former club Wolves.
Former UCL winner with Chelsea, Mason Mount will also be aiming for a return to action after missing the Manchester Derby with an unspecified knock. Elsewhere, Diogo Dalot withdrew from the Portugal squad, also unavailable against Manchester City stating muscle discomfort.
All eyes will be on Amorim’s next team selection with key players sidelined the pressure intensifies for consistency and leadership on the pitch.
CHELSEA: CURRENT FORM – DWWDW
After humbling UEFA Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain (3-0), at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final, Chelsea continued to build momentum during pre-season against Bayer Leverkusen (2-0), and AC Milan (4-1).
Despite enjoying 72% ball possession and the lion share of the goal scoring opportunities, Chelsea were held to a goalless draw against Oliver Glasner’s well-drilled Crystal Palace on the opening day.
The Blues earned their first win of the season at the London Stadium, putting West Ham to the sword, scoring five goals thanks to Joao Pedro, Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Trevoh Chalobah.
A controversial VAR decision ruled out Joshua King’s goal, with Fulham’s 18-year-old midfielder showing calm and maturity to find the back of the net. Nevertheless, Pedro and Fernandez were on the scoresheet against Fulham as Enzo Maresca’s team ran out 2-0 winners at Stamford Bridge.
Maresca’s men next took aim at a possible banana skin away at the Brentford Community Stadium in their fourth straight London derby. Kevin Schade opened the scoring for Brentford in the first half.
Second half substitutions were then enforced with Cole Palmer making an instant impact, levelling matters in style just five minutes after coming off the bench. Moises Caicedo handed the Blues the lead with a brilliant strike, however, more drama was to unfold as Brentford stole a point at the death courtesy of Fabio Carvalho in the 93rd-minute.
Maresca will disappointingly look at the Brentford clash as two points dropped, which would have seen Chelsea occupy second on the Premier League table behind defending-champions Liverpool.
With momentum building, Chelsea aim to tighten up defensively and assert themselves as serious title contenders this season.
KEY PLAYERS TO WATCH
- Pedro Neto: The Portuguese winger has been in sensational form, despite scoring just once in four Premier League games. Neto is the most consistent Chelsea player in the wider areas, capable of isolating defenders and running past them with his blistering speed to deliver sumptuous crosses into the box or across the face of the goal.
- Cole Palmer: Marking his return from a groin injury against Brentford with a goal, Palmer looked excellent with his immaculate weight of passing and ability to find his teammates with his incredible passing range. The 23-year-old has scored four goals in five appearances against Manchester United, including a hat-trick in a 4-3 win at Stamford Bridge.
- Moises Caicedo: Aiming to score in his third straight Premier League match away from home, Caicedo is enjoying a rich vein of form. The defensive lynchpin scored away at Old Trafford last season to cancel out Bruno Fernandes’ goal and share the spoils 1-1. With growing confidence, he’s quickly becoming one of Chelsea’s most reliable performers.
CHELSEA TEAM NEWS
Chelsea’s 2–2 draw at Brentford saw the debut of Alejandro Garnacho, the 21-year-old winger who recently joined from Manchester United. His attacking intent and pace on the left flank added a new dimension late in the game.
Injury issues are starting to pile up for Enzo Maresca. Both Benoit Badiashile and Romeo Lavia are nursing muscle strains with striker Liam Delap recovering from a hamstring injury and Dario Essugo close to return after a thigh injury.
Meanwhile, Levi Colwill is facing a long road to recovery after undergoing cruciate ligament surgery. These setbacks could force Maresca into tactical reshuffles, particularly in defence and midfield.
With a packed fixture list ahead, Chelsea’s depth and flexibility will be put to the test, especially as the Blues chase consistency on both the domestic and continental fronts.
PREDICTED LINE-UPS
Manchester United: 3-4-2-1
Lammens; Yoro, De Ligt, Shaw; Mazraoui, Ugarte, Fernandes, Dorgu; Mbeumo, Diallo; Sesko.
Chelsea: 4-2-3-1
Sanchez; James, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Fernandez; Estevao, Palmer, Neto; Pedro.
SUGGESTED BETS
Gain an advantage by claiming various welcome bonus offers that give you an edge to bet bigger and maximize your Premier League profits this weekend.
Double Chance – Draw/Chelsea: In search of the safest option, considering Man United have only beaten Chelsea once in the past 10 Premier League meetings, including six draws. (46/100 with Betway) (45/100 with Stake) (47/100 with 888Starz)
Both Teams To Score – Yes: Back this option to come home flying for the fifth straight meeting between these opponents at Old Trafford. (52/100 with Betway) (51/100 with Stake) (50/100 with 888Starz)
Double Chance and Overs/Unders (Total 1.5) – Draw/Chelsea & Over 1.5: This bet adds the Over 1.5 goals option to the Double Chance, giving us decent odds to have a proper punt. (77/100 with Betway) (78/100 with Stake) (79/100 with 888Starz)
VALUE BETS
Tightly contested matches often hinge on fine margins, make sure you’re updated on how each betting market is settled before placing your bets according to official betting rules.
Chelsea Total (Total 1.5) – Over 1.5: Manchester United have conceded a minimum of two goals each in their last three matches against Grimsby Town, Burnley and Manchester City. Making this a very tempting bet at even money. (99/100 with Betway) (100/100 with Stake) (99/100 with 888Starz)
Chelsea To Score In Both Halves: Yes: Using the same reasoning, we target massive profits. (210/100 with Betway) (209/100 with Stake) (211/100 with 888Starz)
1X2 & Both Teams To Score – Chelsea & Yes: Combining the both teams to score option with Chelsea to win, is the best bet on offer. (385/100 with Betway) (383/100 with Stake) (384/100 with 888Starz)
PREDICTION: CHELSEA TO WIN
These two teams find themselves in contrasting form, making for an intriguing contest. Chelsea have navigated four consecutive London derbies, going unbeaten with two wins and two draws.
Meanwhile, it seems like Groundhog Day for Manchester United, winning only one of their first five matches this season, with two draws and two defeats.
Chelsea have only lost to Manchester United once in the past 10 Premier League meetings, including six draws which doesn’t bode well for the home team.
Chelsea are expected to extend their dominance, marking another low in Manchester United’s modern decline and highlight the contrasting trajectories of two once-parallel footballing institutions.
Bryan is a passionate sports writer with a focus on football and cricket. While he loves top leagues like the UEFA Champions League, La Liga, and the Premier League, he also covers lesser-known leagues, offering previews and tips for sports betting sites.