Premier League 
/ Feizal Rahman / 28 February 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Coming to get ya - Can Wayne make an impact at the Bridge?
"Chelsea have kept only two clean sheets in their last six league fixtures at home, whereas United have failed to score just once in their last six trips away. Chances should fall to either side so backing Both Teams to Score at [1.95] may reward."
United have struggled at Stamford Bridge in recent years while contests have been tight. But form suggests the League leaders have what it takes to get one over on their rivals on Tuesday night and both teams will create chances. Feizal Rahman selects the best bets.
Chelsea take on Manchester United this Tuesday evening with both sides aiming for a win for different reasons. A weekend rest could hand the Blues an advantage as they desperately seek points to secure their top four status. However, United will be on a high after a 4-0 win at Wigan and will look to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Chelsea should be at full strength with Carlo Ancelotti's only headache over whether to start in attack with Fernando Torres, Didier Drogba or both. Rio Ferdinand will miss out once again for United, along with Anderson and Ji-Sung Park, though Ryan Giggs should be available. Javier Hernandez will likely make way for Dmitar Berbatov, unless Wayne Rooney starts alone up front.
Match Odds
Enduring a miserable February, Chelsea have managed just two wins from their last six in all competitions and gained a solitary point from their last two in the Premier League. At home, the Blues also have just two league wins from six, suffering defeats to Sunderland and Liverpool.
Manchester United, meanwhile, have notched up seven top flight wins from nine since the turn of the year. However, on the road, the Red Devils have picked up maximum points just three times in the last eight - two of those at relegation scrappers West Brom and Wigan.
Carlo Ancelotti's men did the league double over United last term on their way to clinching the title and have not lost to Sir Alex Ferguson's side in the last eight meetings at Stamford Bridge - winning five. In that time, United have scored just four goals - drawing a blank on five occasions.
Chelsea trade as favourites at [2.2] with United [3.8] and the draw [3.4] - but this may be one to get involved with In-Play with a watertight first half to be expected. It should be noted that the team scoring first has gone on to win in eight of the last ten meetings, home or away.
Under/Over 2.5 Goals
Following a prolific start to the season, goals have been at a premium at Stamford Bridge since the autumn with only four of Chelsea's home fixtures this campaign producing three or more. Conversely, two-thirds of United's away fixtures have seen in excess of two strikes per game.
As an indicator of just how tactical this fixture has been in recent years, only two of the last seven meetings at Stamford Bridge have seen Over 2.5 Goals, with four recording a single goal at best. Consequently, Under 2.5 Goals looks a solid bet at [1.75], with Under 1.5 Goals around [3.2].
Yet, Chelsea have kept only two clean sheets in their last six league fixtures at home, whereas United have failed to score just once in their last six trips away. Chances should fall to either side so backing Both Teams to Score at [1.95] may reward, with a 1-1 Correct Score on offer at [7.6].
Other Markets
Carlo Ancelotti's team selection may be influenced by the fact that Fernando Torres has tormented Manchester United - and Nemanja Vidic in particular - on several occasions for Liverpool and has a hat-trick of Premier League goals against them.
Didier Drogba has only ever struck once against United and has put away just one in his last 11 hours of play for the Blues. Torres should be taken to start ahead of the Ivorian and the Spaniard will be around [7.0] to be First Goalscorer and finally get off the mark for Chelsea.
Wayne Rooney looks back to his normal self, elbowing his way into form with four strikes in his previous five starts. The United frontman has either scored or been cautioned in four of his last five league visits to Chelsea and can be backed To Score and To Be Shown a Card at around [3.0].
Best bet: Back Both Teams To Score @ [1.95]
Recommended bet: Back 1-1 Correct Score @ [7.6]
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