Blues are a sound bet in the big one
Chelsea look to have everything in their favour in tomorrow's match with United
Tonight is Bonfire Night in England, but expect some fireworks tomorrow night as well when Manchester United take on Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Many neutrals, unusually, will be hoping for a United win, which would open up the title race again. The former champions will have to find serious improvement on this season's form, however. Four of their five wins have come against teams currently in the Premiership's bottom six - in six games against the rest, they have managed only one win, with three draws and two defeats. Their record in the Champions League (one win, two draws and one defeat) also suggests they are falling short against the better teams.
Set against United's shocking 4-1 defeat at Middlesbrough and its fallout, Chelsea's problems seem very minor. True, they have won only one of their last four games in all competitions, but they have already beaten all of the four Premiership teams that stand between themselves and sixth-placed United, so there are not the same doubts about their overall form.
Chelsea's record against United, especially at Old Trafford, has always been good, but it has got better under Jose Mourinho. They have had three wins and a draw against United (including two wins out of two here) since Mourinho took over - two of those games were in last season's League Cup semi-final, but both clubs put out full-strength sides, so the results can be taken at face value.
United's big-name players will relish this battle, and they can be expected to raise their game, though there was little evidence of a positive response in the midweek 1-0 defeat against Lille. It is worth remembering that Arsenal arrived at Old Trafford just over a year ago top of the league and seemingly invincible after 49 Premiership games unbeaten, but United won 2-0. It is also worth remembering, though, that victory on that occasion hinged on a dubious penalty 15 minutes from time that gave United the lead.
It is difficult to make a strong enough case for United, even at unprecedented long odds, and they will do well to get a draw. Chelsea's odds are a little skinny (they rate as a 2.38 chance), but they are a solid bet for those who want to play this match.
There are away teams that rate higher on this weekend's Premiership programme, however, and they are Wigan, Middlesbrough and Manchester City. All three are handicap bets at least.
Arsenal are the obvious home banker against Sunderland, but West Ham also rate highly for the visit of West Brom.
The Hammers have won every home game so far against bottom-half teams so there is no reason to doubt their form.
West Brom have shown very little on the road - last season, they managed only one win and this season they have just one goal from five trips, so they are finding it difficult even to draw.
Newcastle come next on the list of home bets against Birmingham, though they will have to improve on a record of two wins from five home games with an average of only one goal per game. The spark should be provided by Michael Owen, whose two home games so far have produced a win and a draw.
The closest game is Bolton v Tottenham. The teams are hard to split and Spurs rate as the handicap bet.
Best homes: Arsenal, West Ham, Newcastle.
Best aways: Wigan, Middlesbrough, Manchester City, Chelsea, Charlton.
