FA Cup Semifinal Odds: Manchester United vs. Chelsea Prediction

Ryan Stetson
July 17, 2020

There is a spot in the FA Cup final on the line when Manchester United and Chelsea meet at Wembley Stadium on Sunday at 1 p.m. ET. Looking to move on and face either Arsenal or Manchester City in the FA Cup final, is the slight match favourite United at +138 on the soccer odds, with Chelsea at +185.

Manchester United FA Cup Odds and News

Tied with Leicester City (Leicester gets the edge on goal-differential) and only one point back of Chelsea in the Premier League table, Manchester United will put their Champions League chase on hold as they look for a berth in the FA Cup final. United has been strong in 2020, still unbeaten since the season restart and coming off a 2-0 win over Crystal Palace on Thursday. It’s that Thursday match that has United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer crying foul, as the Red Devils will be playing on two days less rest than Chelsea.

Chelsea might need the rest advantage over United. The Red Devils have had Chelsea’s number all year, beating the Blues in their last three meetings. United has not dropped a match to Chelsea since the last time these two teams faced off in the FA Cup, two years ago in the final.

Thanks to a combined 44 goals between Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, who both scored in Thursday’s 2-0 win, United are now unbeaten in their last 19 matches over all competitions, dating back to January. Solskjaer’s confidence in his players and their fitness level is evident by the fact he has used the same starting 11 over the last five matches.

Chelsea FA Cup Odds and News

The biggest advantage for Chelsea is the extra two days rest they will hold over United. The Blues are coming off a 1-0 win over cellar-dweller Norwich City, thanks to a first half goal from Olivier Giroud. Along with Manchester United and Leicester City, Chelsea’s Champions League qualifying chances took a hit this week with the announcement of Manchester City’s two-year Champion’s League ban being overturned on appeal.

Manchester United +138
Draw +237
Chelsea FC +185

This game will not get them closer to qualifying, but they currently hold a Champion’s League spot and lead Manchester United by one point. With United pushing hard, leading up to end of the Premier League season, a Blues win here could do a lot to wear the Red Devils down in the final two Premier League matches.

This season has been a team effort for Chelsea as no Blues player is currently ranked within the Top-10 of any major statistical category. Tammy Abraham’s team-best 14 goals on 85 shots have led the offense, helped by William Borges Da Silva’s team-best seven assists. Cesar Azpilicueta and Kurt Zouma have locked the defensive side down. Azpilicueta leads the Blues with 82 tackles and 66 interceptions, while Zouma leads with 105 aerial battles won and 101 clearances.