Premier League: Time is of the Essence in Unforgiving Environment

Manchester United vs Chelsea

Assessing the seasons so far for Manchester United and Chelsea, it would be very easy—and not totally inaccurate—to be rather more forgiving than most critics have been.

After all, there are mitigating factors why both clubs have not enjoyed too many Premier League highlights so far.

United have had a treatment room full of injured players since the second week of the season, and it will not be until early 2024 at the earliest that Erik ten Hag should have a full assortment of players to choose from.

They also have the sceptre of a part and long drawn-out takeover still hanging over them.

Likewise, after a year when the club has undergone a complete overhaul, Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino has literally faced the task of bringing together a group of virtual strangers who barely know their new surroundings, let alone their teammates.

Yet such factors count for very little in the hurly burly and unforgiving world of Premier League football.

And why should they?

For the circumstances facing both men are seen by many as excuses when a handful of players at one club are being criticised for a seeming lack of effort and the other has just concluded a year of virtually non-stop spending.

That is the reality facing both clubs as they prepare to meet for the first time this season.

Of course, study the men in the dugout more closely and you will see why supporters can be optimistic about a bright future.

It just seems to be akin to ‘two steps forward, one step back’ at times right now.

Talking Points

The promise certainly is there.

Bring back Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane (who has spent the last few games on the substitutes’ bench), Casemiro, Christian Eriksen & co., and the spine of the team from M16 should look very different.

One thing that does have to change though is the indifference which seems to be displayed by a handful of players at times – Marcus Rashford the latest to come under fire, although one suspects he needs a confidence boost rather than a verbal attack from some observers.

Likewise, with a new-look Chelsea now slowly starting to settle, their Premier League 2023 results have improved dramatically with draws against Arsenal, champions Manchester City and then, after a bit of a collapse at Newcastle, a thrilling victory with 10 men over Brighton.

When you spend more than £1 billion in three successive transfer windows, of course, you should be challenging for the top prizes and Chelsea are far away from that.

They have genuine talent, though, including the Ecuador international Moises Caicedo, signed from Brighton for £115 million and making his mark.

He arrived at Stamford Bridge following a disrupted pre-season and was not slotting into a team with a settled starting XI and a group of experienced characters capable of making it easier for a newcomer to have an immediate impact.

Yet this is no one-dimensional destroyer and, if the problem is cultural and structural, even a £115 million signing is not going to be a quick fix. Pochettino and Caicedo need time.

Time is of the essence for both sides then and, should one side inflict defeat on the other on Wednesday night, that scrutiny may well intensify.

In both cases, patience could well reap rewards in the longer-term.

History

Last season this fixture was the penultimate one of the league campaign and resulted in a 4-1 home success which saw United clinch a place in the Champions League.

Casemiro, Anthony Martial. Bruno Fernandes (penalty) and Rashford were the scorers in the romp which was a lot closer than the scoreline suggested except the hosts were more clinical.

That ended a run of five successive draws between the teams.

It was 1-1 at Stamford Bridge last October when a late Jorginho penalty was cancelled out by an even later goal, an expert header from Casemiro.

Overall, United have triumphed 82 times against the west Londoners who have enjoyed success on 55 occasions. The other 56 matches have been draws.

Betting Tip

Chelsea have been made favourites with the SBOTOP Premier League 2023 betting odds.

You can back them 1X2 @ 2.40 or Asian Handicap -0.50, also @ 2.40.

United, meanwhile, are on offer 1X2 @ 2.58 and Asian Handicap 0.00 @ 2.11.

A draw has been the most common result in recent seasons and that will pay out @ 3.35.

Considering the talent in the ranks of both teams, it will be of little surprise to hear that over 3.00 goals offers you odds @ 2.08 with total goal 2-3 @ 2.03, 4-6 @ 2.75 and 0-1 @ 4.07.

Another 4-1 home win would provide you with a tasty payday @ 60.00 with Correct Score.

I am going to edge towards the home side in this one with confidence key for both teams, so my prediction is Asian Handicap United 0.00 @ 2.11.

 

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