Chelsea and Manchester United face off at Stamford BridgeChelsea and Manchester United face off at Stamford Bridge
Chelsea and Manchester United face off at Stamford Bridge | Getty Images
A look at the pundit predictions ahead of Chelsea and Tottenham’s Friday night Premier League fixtures.
Aston Villa vs Tottenham
Chris Sutton
“Let's face it, everyone on the planet thinks Aston Villa will win this - the same way everyone will expect Chelsea to beat Manchester United in Friday's other game. The way both Tottenham and United are approaching next week's Europa League final, they are just gripped with fear. It has become like a World Cup final for both clubs. Both managers will make lots of changes for their matches on Friday, because they are so afraid of injuries to key players but I just don't think that is the way to approach Wednesday's game in Bilbao.
“Compare it to Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner, who has been playing his strongest team in the run-up to Saturday's FA Cup final. Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou does not want anyone to get injured but the flip side to leaving key people out is that you want to go into a big game with a bit of momentum, and Tottenham do not have any. I put myself in a position of a Spurs player, and if I am Micky van de Ven or Cristian Romero, I would want to play against Villa and I would want to take that risk.
“But what Postecoglou is scared of, naturally, is if something happens to one of them, because then he would be asked 'why on earth did you do that?' So, we know what he will do and, because of that, you can't make a case for Tottenham beating Villa, or getting anything at all from this game. On the face of it, things have turned out pretty well for Villa haven't they? Last summer they would have looked at their last two games of the season - Spurs at home on Friday and United away next weekend - and thought that is very tough. Now, though, they must be rubbing their hands. They are fighting for a top-five finish and they finish up with two games against teams whose focus this week is completely on an all together different prize. Prediction: 2-0.”
Paul Merson
“Aston Villa win - the most obvious result of the weekend alongside the Manchester United game, which also kicks off on Friday. I always speak about timings in football so you know where I'm going with this. Imagine telling Villa at the start of the season that they must beat Tottenham and Manchester United in their last two games to seal Champions League qualification? Now that would have been a really difficult task!
“But just look at it now. Tottenham won't care about this game because of the Europa League final. And no matter what happens in that final, it's an advantage for Villa. Either United will be celebrating their Europa League win or be depressed about a loss to Spurs when they meet Villa on the final day of the season.
“Ange Postecoglou should rest his main players in this game. If they beat Villa 5-0 and lose to Manchester United on Wednesday, what's the point? You can't risk players being injured now. I wouldn't worry about their rhythm. All of them players know this is the game of their lives and should be prepared like professionals. If I was a Tottenham player, I wouldn't want to be playing this game. Prediction: Aston Villa 3-0 Tottenham Hotspur.”
Chelsea vs Man Utd
Chris Sutton
“Like Villa with Tottenham, Chelsea could not have picked a better time to play Manchester United. This is a great opportunity for them in their bid for a top-five finish. Chelsea are without suspended striker Nicolas Jackson after his red card against Newcastle, which ended their hopes of getting anything at St James' Park.
“I am not sure who will play up front on Friday instead of Jackson, or who will get their goals, but I still fully expect Enzo Maresca's side to win. Manchester United have still been fielding strong teams despite all the changes they have been making around their Europa League ties, but you would not think it from their performances or results. It is not as if Ruben Amorim has been putting out his Under-18s in recent weeks but their Premier League form is dismal and I can't see any reason why that will change here. Prediction: 1-0.”
Paul Merson
“It's a nothing game for Manchester United and I expect Chelsea to secure an easy win. Don't get me wrong, this is still a huge fixture for the fans but I think the United players should look at the bigger picture, which is the Europa League final.
“Manchester United were getting well beat at home against West Ham United, what are they going to do away from home at Chelsea? Ruben Amorim came out and said it will still be a terrible season if they won the Europa League and I don't blame him. But he must be fully aware of the fact that United need to win that trophy to attract better players to the club. If they fail to win and miss out on Champions League football, they are going to remain a mid-table club!
“The last thing Manchester United should do is start Bruno Fernandes against Chelsea. He's been their best player and you can't risk him being injured ahead of the big final. I expect Chelsea to take full advantage and secure a crucial win here. Prediction: Chelsea 3-0 Manchester United.”
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