United and Chelsea Look for Home Wins

Manchester United host Everton and Chelsea entertain West Ham this Saturday as the Premier League title race comes to a head.

The Red Devils kick off the weekend’s action with Saturday’s early kick off from Old Trafford. Another home win for United – they have won 15 of 16 home games so far this season – would move Sir Alex Ferguson’s men nine points clear of both Chelsea and Arsenal and in turn heap the pressure on their challengers later in the weekend.

West Brom are the only visiting side to come away from Old Trafford this season with anything to show for their excursion, however, Everton will be no pushovers. The Toffeemen are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games and secured a 3-3 draw against the league leaders in the reverse of this fixture earlier in the season.

The bookmakers make United the 4/9 betting favourites to add another three points to their tally with the draw available to back at 10/3 and Everton priced at 7/1 to inflict United’s first home defeat of the season.

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti believes that his side are back in the Premier League title race following their midweek win over Birmingham.

“Our aim is to win every game and after that see how our position is. It will not be easy but that is our aim,” said the Italian.

“We have to believe until the referee whistles for the end of the game.”

With consecutive home games against London rivals West Ham then Tottenham to come Ancelotti knows that his side must win both games ahead of their trip to Old Trafford and hope that United slip up elsewhere.

The Hammers, however, are scrapping to maintain their Premier League status and are sure to provide a stern test for the Blues. The bookmakers price Chelsea at betting odds of 1/4 for the three points, the draw is 5/1 and an away victory is quoted at 10/1.

Big games at the bottom of the table this weekend include Wigan’s trip to Sunderland where the Latics are priced at 11/4 for the win and the Black Cats are 11/10 to get their first victory in ten Premier League games. Wolves are priced at 13/8 to beat Fulham who are 9/5 to take maximum points and Blackpool are 2/1 to beat Newcastle at Bloomfield Road.

United may not be able to win the title this Saturday but Chelsea can certainly lose it should they fail to pick up all three points. The pressure will undoubtedly be on John Terry and co in the day’s evening kick off.