Once title rivals, Chelsea and Manchester United are the biggest underachievers of late

Chelsea lock horns with Manchester United this evening with both clubs out to ease the mounting pressure on their respective managers. The former Premier League title rivals both face a pivotal week to avoid failing to achieve their respective European targets.

Chelsea had to settle for a 2-2 draw at the weekend against a relegation-threatened Burnley side that played a man down for a large portion of the game. Boos rang out at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea remained mid-table and scrambling for any type of European football next season. United have aspirations to reclaim their Champions League spot but they took a blow after a 1-1 draw against Brentford. Former Chelsea star Mason Mount scored what seemed to be the winner against the Bees in the sixth minute of stoppage-time but Kristoffer Ajer was somehow allowed to equalise just moments later.

Erik ten Hag's men are languishing in sixth, and 11 points adrift of Aston Villa two spots above them, albeit with two games in hand.

The penultimate month of the Premier League season should send shivers down the spines of Blues fans. Chelsea are winless in their last six Premier League games in April, having drawn two and lost the other four. At Stamford Bridge, they’ve won just one of their last 10 in April (three draws and six losses), and have lost five of the last seven in west London.

Chelsea, whose recent winless April run started against none other than Man United, were already out for revenge against the Red Devils after they lost 2-1 in December's reverse fixture. Chelsea are winless in their last 12 Premier League games against Manchester United (seven draws and five losses), their longest ever run without a league victory against the Red Devils.

Manchester United are looking to complete the Premier League double over Chelsea for just the second time, previously doing so in the 2019-20 campaign. Manchester United are looking to win three consecutive league games against Chelsea for the first time since September 1965. They’re unbeaten in their last five league visits to Stamford Bridge, though four of these have ended level, fifth one being a win.

On the other side, Manchester United have won more games (80) and have a higher win percentage (59.7%) in the month of April than any other side in Premier League history. However, they’ve won just one of their last seven away games in the month (two draws and four losses), beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 last year.

Mauricio Pochettino has called for more from his players following their failure to claim victory over struggling Burnley.

"We are Chelsea but we need to behave like Chelsea." the Argentinian said.

"It's not an excuse to be young, we need to defend our badge and play for out club and we need to perform.

"It's up to us to start the game in a different way to against Burnley.

"We need to play better, to show more energy, that we can compete more as a team."

Cole Palmer scored Chelsea’s goal in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in the reverse fixture. He has been involved in 21 Premier League goals for Chelsea this season, scoring 13 and assisting eight. Only Jimmy-Floyd Hasselbaink (32 in 2000-01) and Diego Costa (23 in 2014-15) have been involved in more in their debut campaign for the Blues.

The hosts have been handed a triple boost by Trevoh Chalobah, Malo Gusto and Robert Sanchez's return to full team training. Ben Chilwell still leads a lengthy absentee list, filled by Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Reece James, Lesley Ugochukwu, Levi Colwill, and Carney Chukwuemeka.

As for the visitors, their own increasing injury problems worsened after defensive duo Lisandro Martinez and Victor Lindelof were both ruled out of action for a month. Left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia are already out, alongside Antony Martial, with Altay Bayindir and Jonny Evans also doubts.

The only stat that works in Chelsea's favor against the Red Devils is that Manchester United have won just one of their last nine Premier League away games against London sides (three draws and five losses), losing four of their last six.

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 31

Tuesday

Newcastle - Everton 1-1 (1-0)

/Isak 15 - Calvert-Lewin 88 pen/

Nott. Forest - Fulham 3-1 (3-0)

/Hudson-Odoi 9, Wood 19, Gibbs-White 45+3 - Adarabioyo 49/

Burnley - Wolverhampton 1-1 (1-1)

/Larsen 37 - Nouri 45+3/

Bournemouth - Crystal Palace 1-0 (0-0)

/Kluivert 79/

West Ham - Tottenham 1-1 (1-1)

/Zouma 19 - Johnson 5/

Wednesday

Brentford - Brighton 0-0

Arsenal - Luton 2-0 (2-0)

/Odegaard 24, Hoshioka 44 og/

Man.City - Aston Villa 4-1 (2-1)

/Rodri 11, Foden 46, 62, 70 - Duran 22/

Thursday

21:30: (1.10) Liverpool (11.0) Sheffield Utd (18.0)

22:15: (2.10) Chelsea (3.70) Man.Utd. (3.60)

***odds are subject to change***