Chelsea: 5 Game Preview, Including Manchester United Clash

Suffice to say, Chelsea’s 2025/26 campaign has not gone according to plan. After winning just one of their last six Premier League games, the Blues now find themselves sixth in the league table, six points away from the Champions League spots.

But can Liam Rosenior turns things around at Stamford Bridge before the end of the season? Today, we’ll be looking at Chelsea’s next five games across all competitions – including four Premier League games and one FA Cup tie.

Four of their upcoming games will take place at home – but given the Blues’ paltry home record, this may be more of a curse than a blessing.

Port Vale (H) – FA Cup Quarter-Final

Out of all of Chelsea’s next five games, you’d really expect them to win this one. Port Vale have shown that they aren no slouches in the FA Cup, but the Blues should be able to overcome a side who are currently bottom of the League One table – surely?

Chelsea have fared well against EFL teams this season – they have beaten Cardiff City, Lincoln City and Hull City in domestic cups in 2025/26.

Vale are ranked lower than all of these teams – in theory, this should be a walkover for Chelsea, unless the ‘magic of the cup’ X factor decides to spring a surprise.

Manchester City (H) – Premier League

Talk about a difficulty spike. Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City tend to up their game towards the end of the season – however, they have only won two of their last six games across all competitions.

City will have to play Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. This could prove to be crucial – the Sky Blues will likely expend far more energy in this one than Chelsea will in their tie against Port Vale.

As far as we’re concerned, this is a bit of a toss up. Chelsea’s poor recent form aside, plenty of City’s top players are also out of form – including Erling Haaland, who has scored just once in the Citizens’ last nine games.

Manchester United (H) – Premier League

By the time this game rolls around, Manchester United will have played just two games in the space of 30 days. In the modern game, where fixtures come thick and fast, this is very unusual.

Will United have some rust to shake off? Under Ruben Amorim, we would have definitely suggested so – but Michael Carrick’s tactical simplicity should render this a relative non-factor.

Furthermore, the Blues are a team that like to dominate possession under Rosenior. This will play right into United’s hands, as they’re primarily a counter-attacking team at the moment.

Brighton (A) – Premier League

Brighton, on the other hand, should play right into Chelsea’s hands. They often found themselves swamped in midfield, given the aging legs of Pascal Gross and James Milner – Chelsea’s midfield troop is formidable and should have little problem in controlling the middle of the park.

The Seagulls have picked up in terms of form, but this particular game will take place on April 26 – by then, their strong recent form may no longer matter.

A possession-based team, they will struggle to implement their standard game plan against a team of Chelsea’s calibre.

Nottingham Forest (H) – Premier League

Again, this one isn’t as simple as it may immediately appear. This has been a rotten season for Nottingham Forest, who are now on their fourth permanent manager of the campaign, but they are showing serious signs of fight at the back end of 2025/26.

After a bout of manager speed-dating, Forest have seemingly found their man in Vitor Pereira. They’ve looked far more solid under him – furthermore, they have also looked far more composed in front of goal.

Forest will need everything they can get to remain in the Premier League – therefore, we wouldn’t be surprised to Chelsea drop points in this one.