Manchester United travel to Chelsea on Sunday looking to keep the pressure on Premier League leaders Manchester City, and Lee Dixon expects the Red Devils will not leave Stamford Bridge empty-handed.
This is what we call the business end of the Premier League season. No more finding your feet, no more deciding on your best system, no more transfer window to look forward to. And this is generally the time of the season when Manchester United really excel. I've spoken in another preview of the fact they've been here and done it on numerous times before and trust me, that counts for a lot.
Defeat at Stamford Bridge would be pretty bad news of course. But I don't think that will happen.
Match odds
The return from injury of Antonio Valencia a few weeks back was a huge boost to Manchester United, especially as it almost coincided with Ashley Young being ruled out for a lengthy spell. Young is a great player and I'm sure he'll have a really successful career at old Trafford but I can't help thinking that United look a more balanced side with Valencia on the opposite wing to Nani.
The Ecuadorian shone like a beacon at Wigan and it was no surprise that one of the big guns came calling sooner or later. He's quickly learned what's expected of him and you rarely see him have a poor game. He could be a big player in this match.
Chelsea's record against United at Stamford Bridge has been excellent in recent times. The Blues are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League home games against the Red Devils, winning six and drawing three, according to Opta. But right here right now, it is United who are in a better place and playing the better football. Home advantage can often be worth a goal in matches like this and I wouldn't think twice about recommending a maximum bet if this was at Old Trafford. But it's not and a draw looks the most likely outcome at 3.4 (
Betfair).
Over/Under 2.5 Goals
Man Utd have scored just four goals in their last 10 visits in all competitions to Stamford Bridge according to Opta. They've actually got some problems of their own at the back with neither of the two main goalkeepers covering themselves in glory recently and injuries to the likes of Phil Jones, Rio Ferdinand and Rafael, in addition to long-term absentee Nemanja Vidic.
This could be one of those really edgy games and 1-1 is a lively runner but the safer bet is under 2.5 goals at 1.9.
First Goalscorer
Wayne Rooney missed United's last two matches but his absence from the midweek one at Stoke may have been with this game in mind. He's scored four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against Chelsea and also netted on his last two visits to Stamford Bridge, one in the league and one in the Champions League. He's also one of those players who comes back refreshed and hungry for goals after an absence and is a good price at 7.0 to open the scoring.
Bookings Odds
Chelsea are the dirtiest team in the Premier League. Not my words, just the cold hard facts from Opta. So far they've collected 50 yellow cards and four reds, the latest of which was shown to Ashley Cole in their 1-1 draw at Swansea on Tuesday. United's players are hardly angels in these sort of matches either so nine points and above at around 1.7 is a must bet.
Recommended Bets
2 pts Back the draw @ 3.4
2 pts Back under 2.5 goals @ 1.9
1 pt Back 1-1 @ 7.4
2 pts Back Wayne Rooney to be first goalscorer @ 7.0
3 pts Back nine points and above in the bookings odds market @ 1.7
