Premier League football betting - Manchester United vs Chelsea

Old Trafford is the place to be this afternoon as the biggest game of the season sees Premier League leaders Manchester United host second-placed Chelsea. United are only one point clear of their rivals with an inferior goal difference and would come as no shock if the team who wins today are crowned Premier League champions come the end of the season. Top-scorer Wayne Rooney is out injured and the game could not have come at a better time for Chelsea, who are still on a high following their 7-1 humiliation of Aston Villa last time out.

The hosts are slight favourites for the game at 17/10 (bet £10 to win £17 profit), with Skybet offering 15/8 on Chelsea and the draw generally available at 9/4. The Blues seem to have overcome their recent dip in form after scoring twelve times and conceding just once in their last two games and although United have won their last five league games they face their rivals today on the back of a confidence-shaking, last-gasp defeat in Germany to Bayern Munich in the Champions League.

The teams have been almost impossible to separate this season and the bookmakers see to believe today`s game will be tight, making a 1-1 draw the favourite score for the game at 6/1, with a 1-0 win for United at 8/1 and the same score in Chelsea`s favour at 9/1. Canbet offer 17/2 that the game finishes goalless and a convincing 2-0 win for the visitors is available at 14/1.

Ivorian striker Didier Drogba has been made favourite to open the scoring this afternoon at 5/1 in the absence of Wayne Rooney, followed by Dimitar Berbatov at 13/2 with Bet365. Paddy Power go 8/1 that Frenchman Nicholas Anelka is the one to break the deadlock and Frank Lampard, who hit four goals in his last appearance, is 17/2 with Bet365 to do the honours.

The half-time/full-time market further reflects the tight contest this game is expected to be, with United 4/1 to lead at both half-time and full-time and their opponents 9/2 to do the same. Draw/Manchester United is 5/1 and draw/Chelsea is 11/2, with the bookmakers offering 4/1 that both halves are drawn. In Germany, United lost the match in the last minute after opening the scoring in only the second and United/Chelsea is available at 33/1 with Bet365.

The title race is as close as it has ever been and United are slight favourites to retain their crown at 6/5 with Canbet, with Chelsea a best-priced 6/4.

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