Sports Blog 18/05/2018: FA Cup Final Preview – Chelsea vs Manchester United, Saturday 19th May 2018

Can Manchester United equal Arsenal’s 13 FA Cup victories when they face Chelsea, at 5.15pm on BBC One?

It has not been a good season for either side. The Blues never looked like mounting a significant title defence, especially not in 2018, where they only won 6 of their 17 Premier League fixtures. In Europe, meanwhile, they were swiftly punished for failing to top the Champions League’s Group C, suffering a last 16 exit at the hands of Barcelona. Not to worry – their 5th place finish means they’ll avoid Barca completely by being in the Europa League.



On paper, Man United’s season was far better than Chelsea’s. They ended up as Premier League runners-up, ensuring an all-important spot in the Champions League. Yet there was a moat 19 points wide separating United from champions Man City, while they were arguably more inept than the Blues in Europe, slumping out of the Champions League to Sevilla.

Both, however, have found some solace in the FA Cup. Jose Mourinho’s men had the smoother journey to the final: they only conceded 1 goal in 5 games, all the while scoring 12. Admittedly, they weren’t really tested until the semis, breezing past Derby, Yeovil, Huddersfield and Brighton before taking on Tottenham at their temporary Wembley home. Still, it’s an undoubtedly solid run, one in which Romelu Lukaku was key. The Belgian has 5 goals in as many Cup appearances, and sits at a Super Mega PGM of 21-26, ahead of Marcus Rashford at 17-21 and Alexis Sanchez at 13-17.

Chelsea weren’t quite as confident with their Cup progression. They messed up an easy trip to Norwich in the 3rd round, only then to be forced to penalties in the Stamford Bridge replay. Wins over Newcastle and Hull followed, before the Blues stalled again, being taken to extra time by Leicester in the 5th round. Things were less complicated in the semis, where Olivier Giroud – who has a Super Mega PGM of 20-24 – sparked a victory over Southampton.

In 2 meetings this season the honours have been shared, with both sides winning at home. That’s made it too hard to call for our Spreadex traders, who are offering a choice Chelsea/Manchester United Goal Supremacy spread of -0.1-0.1.