Chelsea v Manchester United Preview
As if they weren’t busy enough lately, Manchester United (17-9-1) face Chelsea (13-6-7) on Tuesday night at Stamford Bridge before heading to Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League. Sir Alex Ferguson thinks Chelsea is out of the title race but they will still be no easy opponent.
Chelsea are fifth in the Premiership table, 15 points behind Manchester United at the top. The Blues need nothing short of a victory for a shot at Premier League silverware. Three of the last four meetings between the two sides have fallen under 2.5 goals, so there is no value in that market. Chelsea haven’t scored in their last two fixtures but are hoping the £50 million Fernando Torres can finally find the back of the net. He has scored three goals in his last four times out against United. He has great value to score first with 5/1 odds at Paddy Powder.
United will be bringing their league-leading attack against the best defence. But United’s away record has just four wins and eight draws, and they haven’t won at Stamford Bridge since 2002. Play the draw in this one.
Though he gets all the wrong kind of press, Wayne Rooney is still the best first goalscorer bet for United with 11/2 odds at Paddy Powder. Dimitar Berbatov has just four of his 19 goals away from Old Trafford this season. United haven’t scored more than one goal at Stamford Bridge in the last seven fixtures. Chelsea have scored at home in all but two matches.
For a special bet, Rooney’s temper almost got him sent off against Wigan on Saturday. A red card could be in his future against Chelsea if he doesn’t keep his emotions in check with referee Martin Atkinson who has shown the most red cards in the league. The last seven fixtures from these sides have produced 49 cards. A red card in the match has 12/5 odds at Paddy Powder. But the draw has the best value for the match.
Chelsea v Manchester United Match Odds (supplied by Paddy Powder)
Chelsea: 6/5
Draw: 23/10
Manchester United: 12/5