Despite not playing for several weeks, Manchester United lead the Premier League and can go further clear by beating Sunderland on Boxing Day
It’s looking like Manchester United might not even have to turn up against Sunderland on Boxing Day after maintaining their lead at the top of the Premier League by playing just once in three matches.
Rudyard Kipling would have been proud of Sir Alex Ferguson’s men keeping their heads whilst all others around them were losing theirs, but in truth the ineptitude of the other title contenders – most notably Manchester City – has cemented United’s position as 5/4 title favourites.
Bad weather has already lightened their festive schedule, but Sunderland will be no pushovers at Old Trafford.
Only Anton Ferdinand’s own goal prevented Steve Bruce’s men winning at the Theatre of Dreams last season and a repeat of that 2-2 draw this time around is available at 33/1.
Stop reading now if you don’t fancy being pelted with festive puns, but this one could be a real Christmas cracker if Bruce holds his nerve and picks both Asamoah Gyan and Darren Bent.
You would have thought that shrewd Fergie would have an agreement to prevent in-form loanee Danny Welbeck facing his parent club, but this could work in Sunderland’s favour.
With three upfront they have look kamikaze at times this season and have leaked goals away from home, most notably in their 5-1 demolition at bitter rivals Newcastle.
United look too short (1/4) to back for the win, and Sunderland not long enough at 11/1 considering they have only won once away from the Stadium of Light.
Wayne Rooney has been threatening to break his league duck in recent games, so look to him to open the scoring at 3/1.
In correct score terms, 2-1 to United looks a good punt at 9/1 as does in-form Ji-Sung Park to score at anytime at 11/4.
In the late kick-off, two unpredictable sides meet as Aston Villa host Tottenham where literally anything could happen.
I apologise for getting lost in hyperbole for a minute, but it is difficult to emphasise the bi-polar tendencies that this pair have.
Spurs have gone from beating European champions Inter Milan, to receiving a 4-2 drubbing at Bolton, whilst Villa’s youngsters have held both Chelsea and Manchester United to draws, but are only four points above the relegation zone.
At the risk of this sounding like a hunch – and no, I didn’t toss a coin – I would back Spurs at 15/8 to win at Villa Park.
A draw is 12/1, but Harry Redknapp’s talisman Rafael Van der Vaart is back from injury and he is 6/4 to score in 90 minutes and 11/2 to open the scoring.
