Manchester United vs Chelsea Betting Tips

Premiership chart-toppers Manchester United and Chelsea lock horns at OldTrafford on Sunday for what promises to be by far and away the most enthralling match of the season thus far - and by that I mean in any club competition. Indeed, even the edge and intensity to the Chelsea-Barcelona clashes or the bruising 'Battle of Britain' encounters between United and Celtic in the Champions League will not compare to this mouthwatering prospect. Before the curtain was raised on the 2006/07 campaign many were dismissing anything other than a third successive title for Chelsea as being fanciful. However, although both Chelsea and United are just 13 games into a season consisting of 38 Premiership fixtures, the Blues haven't been as dominant as was anticipated, despite the arrivals of two of the most coveted players in European football, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Ballack. And they certainly do not look invincible - far from it in fact. While this is just one game in 38 - a mere drop in the ocean you might think - I honestly believe that this match will ultimately decide whether the Red Devils wrest the title from Jose Mourinho's charges, or whether the London club go onto land their third successive Premiership crown. The psychological advantage which the winners of this match, assuming there is one, will gain cannot be understated. The overall balance of power could shift from south to north in 90 minutes. Indeed, I believe that United will be holding all the aces by 6pm on Sunday. Victory for Sir Alex Ferguson's men will give them a six-point cushion over the reigning champions, and they already boast a far superior goal difference. For all Chelsea's class and strength in depth, pound for pound the football they have been playing this season does not measure up against the ruthlessly energetic performances of high-octane attacking football which Man Utd have been displaying. There is a real sense of belief within the United ranks and, on the proviso that they can maintain their form and that key players remain injury-free, the title is theirs for the taking in my opinion. Neither the home side or the visitors prepared for this match in an ideal way, having both been beaten in their midweek Champions League ties. But those defeats will plummet into the realms of insignificance come Sunday. Indeed, both the Mancunians and the Londoners have been in exceptionally good form in the league of late. At the heart of both sides is a rock-solid defence - they've conceded just seven goals between them over their last ten games. This stat strongly suggests that a low-goalscoring affair is in the offing. United go into this match on the back of seven straight Premiership victories, a run during which they've conceded just two times. Chelsea, meanwhile, have won five of their last six, but lost their most recent away game when outpointed by Spurs at White Hart Lane on November 5, a defeat which has left them playing catch-up with the league leaders. That was Chelsea's second defeat on their travels during the current campaign - they were also beaten by Middlesbrough back in August - and it has to be said that they do look vulnerable away from 'The Bridge'. This vulnerability combined with United's ferocity equals three points for the home side. And, at 14/5 with Paddy Power, my advice to punters is to opt for Man Utd in the to win to nil market. Verdict - 2pts Man Utd to win to nil @ 14/5 (Paddy Power)