Chelsea vs. Manchester United EPL Picks and Predictions: April 18, 2026
Written by: Nate Hornung
Published: Fri Apr 17, 2026, 3:12 pm ET
Read Time: 5 minutes
EPL
The English Premier League is coming to a close, but there is still plenty of excitement to follow down the stretch. For starters, Tottenham sits in a relegation position with just six matches to play, giving us soccer fans some major news towards the bottom of the table, which doesn't happen very often this late in the year. Arsenal and Manchester City are battling for the EPL title, but several teams, including the two we will discuss here, are jostling for final seeding in order to make next year's UEFA Champions League tournament. On Saturday, Chelsea host Manchester United at Stamford Bridge, in a match that means plenty for both sides. Let's dive into our soccer expert's EPL picks and find out how they're wagering on this match.
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Chelsea vs. Manchester United EPL Betting Insights
Joao Pedro and Chelsea need to get back into a UCL qualifying position
Before we get into the nitty gritty of this contest, let's talk about what it means to both teams. Neither are competing for the EPL Title, but both are looking to finish in the top five on the table, securing a UCL spot for next season. As things currently stand, Manchester United is in third place with 55 points. They are tied with Aston Villa who is in fourth, Liverpool is in fifth with 52 points, and right behind them are Chelsea with 48. The Blues will need to move up if they want to be invited to next year's Champions League. Can they help themselves with a win at home this weekend?
Earlier this year, back in September, Chelsea lost to Manchester United at Old Trafford by a score of 2-1. Chelsea played a man down for most of the first half, allowing two goals from their hosts before Manchester United also lost a man right before halftime. The teams played 10 on 10 for the entire second half, and Chelsea was able to find a goal in the 80′ minute, but it was too late. Manchester United took advantage of 40 minutes with an extra attacker. How will this weekend's battle play out?
Matchup Information – Chelsea vs. Manchester United – April 18
- Venue & Location: Stamford Bridge (London, England)
- Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026
- Kick Off: 3:00 p.m. Eastern
- Broadcast: Peacock
Chelsea vs. Manchester United Betting Odds
Odds are courtesy of our friends at Lucky Rebel Sportsbook as of April 17, 2026, at 2:41 p.m. eastern. Sign up today and get a $1,250 deposit bonus and 50 slot spins., and start betting at the sportsbook with the most competitive odds in the industry, and a wide variety of unique markets not offered anywhere else.
Moneyline
- Chelsea +107
- Draw +265
- Manchester United +235
Draw No Bet
- Chelsea -190
- Manchester United +143
Total
- Over 3 (-119)
- Under 3 (-102)
Chelsea vs. Manchester United EPL Picks and Predictions
Bruno Fernandes and Manchester United need as many points as possible to stay in the top five of the EPL table
Best Bet: Chelsea/Manchester United Under 3 (-102) Lucky Rebel Sportsbook
Take this under with me for nearly plus money and some push potential. The past three head to head to head matches have stayed under (or pushed) on this total, and that extends to four of the last five battles as well. When these two teams go head to head, the back lines lock in and make it tough for either offense to get something going. Considering what's at stake on the EPL table as well, I certainly see both managers coming into this match a little extra cautious.
Manchester United are coming off a home loss to Leeds, so they'll be fired up to prevent any chances Chelsea tries to create. In the first meeting, we saw three goals on just five combined shots on target. The Blues only managed to produce one shot on frame, but it ended up in the back of the net. I'm comfortable betting that it doesn't happen again.
With just six matches remaining, points are crucial for both sides, and I believe it's already written in the books that we see a 1-1 draw, resulting in neither team earning a much needed three points.
Prediction: 1-1 Draw (+650)
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Nate has been a recreational sports bettor for about 5 years. In that time, he has grown to love the pursuit of winners and sticking it to The Man. Nate loves data and uses his understanding of numbers to help him be a more profitable sports gambler, however he will be the first to tell you this game is about more than just stats.
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