English Premier
2009-01-11 - Manchester United vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
England, Premier League
Sunday 11th January 2009 - Kickoff 16:00
Chelsea go into the weekend three points behind Liverpool; while Manchester United are seven points off the pace, and four points behind the Blues with two games in hand on both.
It looks like being a massive tussle at Old Trafford on Sunday, although neither side are currently topping the table, it still seems most likely that the eventual Champion will come from this game.
Manchester United (3rd - Home : 7-1-0 20:4)
Manchester United have the best home record in the league, with seven wins on the trot at Old Trafford after drawing 1-1 with Newcastle Utd in their first home game of the season.
United have yet to beat a "big four" side this season, losing 1-2 to both Arsenal and Liverpool and drawing 1-1 at Chelsea. Mind you this is their first home clash in a big match this season.
Did you know :
Manchester United have conceded more goals (43) and dropped more points (58) to Chelsea than to any other club in the Premier League.
Manchester United Team News :
Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand returns to the team after a four-game absence with a back injury.
Patrice Evra is also back after his four-match ban, so United have only Owen Hargreaves and Wes Brown missing.
Chelsea (2nd - Away : 8-2-0 23:3)
Chelsea's away record is also the best in the league, as the Blues started the season with 8 straight wins on the road before recent draws at both Everton and Fulham.
Chelsea Team News :
Chelsea welcome back captain John Terry for the trip to Old Trafford after he served a three-match suspension.
Michael Ballack is also available after a ban and Jose Bosingwa should play despite picking up a knock, but Florent Malouda (hamstring) misses out.
Head to Head
Manchester United hold an edge at Old Trafford with two wins and a 1-1 draw from the last three clashes here.
Back in London, Chelsea are much the better side with a 4-2-0 record in the last six seasons.
The two sides played a high intensity encounter in the reverse fixture back in September when Park Ji-sung gave Manchester United the lead and a headed goal from Salomon Kalou 10 minutes from time earned Chelsea a point in a 1-1 draw.
THE VERDICT
The team news is positive for both sides, especially defensively with both clubs getting key players back into the line-up, and that supports my initial thoughts are along the lines of another 1-1 draw.
Chelsea will come into the game saying aiming not to lose, and United will probably be more cautious in this game than most of their home encounters.
Both sides are ranked over 1130 in my ratings system and as you can see from the percentages (down below) that usually means a tight fixture with 37% of the previous 21 similar games ending all square.
There is a lot of value in that draw price ...
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea
