Football odds: weekend fivefold

Chelsea and Manchester United can be trusted to continue their fine league form with away wins on Saturday, which is why they form part of this weekend's Anglo-Italian fivefold, yes five-fold, at 9/1 with Paddy Power. Click here for a Paddy Power Poker $600 weclome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker There's no point in pussyfooting around with singles when this particular bet can reap you more bang for your buck than a former Celebrity Love Island contestant in a Chelsea hotel room. And talking of Chelsea, whisper it softly but the Blues are back in the title running after a series of impressive results that have brought them within four points of Manchester Utd and Arsenal. What's more, the Blues are actually starting to play some decent stuff as Avram Grant begins to shake off the ghost of Jose Mourinho. Already Grant has managed to succeed where his Portuguese predecessor failed in getting Shaun-Wright Phillips to look like a footballer again. Recognising his inability to cross the ball, he has deployed him in a more central midfield role with magnificent results, and recent wins have come despite injuries to John Terry and Frank Lampard. Add to the mix the signing of the season in Nicolas Anelka and you have both an away win at Birmingham (4/7) and a very strong title charge in the making. Both United (2/5) and Arsenal (1/2) will be all too aware of Chelsea creeping up on the rails but they won't be put off by that against Reading and Fulham respectively this Saturday. While United are sweeping all before them (with the except of Bolton, oh, and Reading at the start of the season) Steve Coppell's side haven't won for seven matches. Fulham's winless run is even worse. It is 12 matches since they last won and that victory came against Reading. The Gunners may have dropped the ball at home to Birmingham last Saturday but lightning won't strike twice at Craven Cottage and, even without Kolo Toure at the back, with Tomas Rosicky back from illness Arsenal will be confident of rediscovering their scoring touch against an increasingly relegation-destined Fulham outfit. In Italy, meanwhile, Fiorentina showed great character to seal a 2-1 win against plucky Parma last Sunday and Torino, who haven't won in Sere A since October and were routed 4-0 in the Coppa Italia in midweek, will pose no serious threat to the Viola, who are 1/2. Resurgent Livorno, meanwhile, can do away with Tuscan rivals Empoli, who have not won away from home all season. After hitting rock bottom earlier this season Livorno have picked themselves up, dusted themselves down and started all over again, embarking on a nine-match unbeaten run, including four wins, that is taking them towards the sanctity of mid-table. Evens is an excellent price. Verdict: 2pts fivefold on Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Fiorentina and Livorno @ 9/1 (Paddy Power); 3pts treble on Man Utd, Chelsea and Fiorentina @ 2.3/1 (Paddy Power) Click here for a Paddy Power Poker $600 weclome bonus when you join Paddy Power Poker