Man Utd vs Chelsea Betting Preview

Manchester United, League Position: 1st: League Form: WWWW

Manchester United have started this season like a team who want to prove their domestic dominance, scoring 18 goals in four games, and winning all of them. Even with injuries in their back line, young defenders Chris Smalling, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones have stepped in seamlessly, defending fantastically and launching attacks from the back. Nemanja Vidic remains sidelined for this weekend’s fixture, but Rio Ferdinand should return.

The midfield will be missing young English midfielder Tom Cleverley after he was injured in the 5-0 win at Bolton last Saturday, but the Champions still have options. This is the most contentious area when it comes to Manchester United’s line up. Park Ji-Sung, Darren Fletcher and Ryan Giggs all featured midweek in a solid draw away at Benfica in the Champions League, and Sir Alex Ferguson will be wary of the strength of Chelsea’s midfield. Big game players like Fletcher and Park could feature, whilst Giggs was a pivotal player in their success against Chelsea last season. Four wins from five matches against each the boys from Stamford Bridge could be a sign that United have the knack in this fixture.

Man Utd vs Chelsea Odds

Chelsea, League Position: 3rd: League Form: DWWW

Sir Alex Ferguson has insisted Chelsea are still a threat, and that manager Andre Villas-Boas has had a good start. Yet it’s the Manchester sides that head the table, not only in position but performance too. The discussions about Chelsea centre on the continued struggle of Fernando Torres and not of a title assault.

Who leads Chelsea’s attack is hard to guess. A front three of Sturridge, Anelka and Mata looked mobile and threatening in victory over Sunderland, yet Torres created both goals in the Champions League victory at home to Bayer Leverkusen midweek. However, one goal in 23 appearances is not the kind of record you want for a striker about to face the Champions. Didier Drogba misses out, and this will be a real showing of how low his manager’s confidence in him is if Torres does not start.

John Terry and Frank Lampard return after a midweek rest, and their experience could be as crucial as their ability here. Only one clean sheet in their past eight league games is very un-Chelsea like, whilst the fragility shown by their defence in ties against Sunderland and Norwich so far this season will be a welcoming sight to their upcoming opponents.

Match Prediction: Manchester United WIN – 1.91 Ladbrokes

It is hard to look beyond Manchester United for any game, but a home tie in the form they are in points straight to United victory. When the big games came last year the Reds found ways to beat Chelsea, Javier Hernandez finding the net in three of those five matches last term.

Chelsea’s lack of clean sheets and Manchester United’s prolific scoring makes both teams to score a very tempting bet. Chelsea will be very hard pushed to keep a clean sheet, and their manager must be expecting them to need goals.

The positives for goalscorers are in the Manchester United side of the market. Rooney has scored more goals (eight) so far this term than any other team, aside from Manchester City. He also takes penalties and freekicks. Hernandez came back into the side like he hadn’t been away, and three goals in five games against Chelsea last season is hard to ignore.

Highlighted Bets:-

Over/Under: Over 2.5 Goals – 1.91 Coral, Stan James, Blue Sq, William Hill
First Goalscorer: Javier Hernandez – 7.00 Ladbrokes
Correct Score: 2-1 Manchester United – 10.00 Ladbrokes
Both Teams To Score: Yes – 1.83 Coral, Blue Sq
Wayne Rooney to Score Anytime – 2.25 Sky Bet, Victor Chandler, Stan James, William Hill

By Chris Wilkerson

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