English Premier
2010-12-19 - Chelsea vs Manchester United
A Sports Betting Pick by Addicted
Football : England : Premier League
Sunday, December 19th, 2010 - Kickoff 3:00PM GMT
CHELSEA
Champions Chelsea have seen their form evaporate into thin air, and come into this sitting 4th. The West Londoners have won just 1 of their last 6, and last week played out a 1-1 draw against Tottenham, despite having a penalty in injury time that would have finally gotten them the win. Drogba stepped up, and the Ivorian's own crappy form continued as the shot was saved. And now here we are.
Forget White Hart Lane, as the residents of that neck of the woods actually play in the Champions League. Chelsea have failed to win at Newcastle and Everton too, drawing by the same scoreline. At Birmingham, they failed to net, and were duly punished 1-0. Chelsea are a long way away from the side that beat today's opposition home and away en route to reclaiming the title they lost 3 years prior. On this form, they've no chance of getting back on track.
Lampard played a part in last weeks match, and is reportedly fit enough to start this game, which is good news for the Blues. They need the boost, because Malouda and Drogba, who were excellent at the start of the season, have suddenly turned into distinctly average players, and I can't remember seeing either of them playing so badly before. Normally you would expect Chelsea to punish Manchester United, especially considering their own away form, but it seems United come here at exactly the right time. This one is hard to call.
MANCHESTER UNITED
Top of the heap, as it stands. It beggars belief, because Manchester United have played 7 games away from home, and won just 1!! It is astounding that this team is still unbeaten, both home and away, because they have been poorer this season than ever before, in my opinion. The fact is, the standard of play for all the top sides has dropped, which makes this another close title race as things stand.
United have been close to defeat on more than one occasion this season, most notably against Aston Villa, who led them 2-0 before Ferguson's men rallied to end the game level. Even last week, against Arsenal, United were poor, and was it not for Arsenal's own uninspiring play, perhaps they'd have suffered their first defeat of the season. On a weekend when Drogba missed a penalty, Rooney did too, ballooning his effort into the stands. Make no mistake, these two teams are not playing good football. But, like all champions, Manchester United are winning even while playing very very ugly.
United might have a great goals for and against record of 36-16, but away from home that becomes a very pedestrian 11-10. No team with that goals record (don't forget the 1-6-0 away record) would normally have a chance against a Chelsea side that has an 18-4 goals for an against record, but this is a strange scenario.
BETTING VERDICT
I can't separate the sides, because this could easily be a boring 0-0 draw, or the 1-1 draw most are expecting. Things could go nuts, and they could draw 2-2 even, but do I want to bet on it? No.
Because it only takes that one bit of skill, or luck, that might separate these two sides, and I don't want to be even more upset losing money, because seeing either of these win makes me sad enough already...
In terms of value, the 3.80 available on Manchester United at Victor Chandler is a bit silly really because they are top of the league after all, and at those odds, you'd take your chance on them getting the best of the days luck. But, I hate them, so let's think some more...
erm...
Over 10.5 corners!
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Hopefully, a draw
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Over 10.5 corners @ 1.90 (Bet365)
