Premier League Betting: Chelsea vs. Manchester United

The clash between league leaders Chelsea FC and second placed Manchester United will be the most compelling clash on Sunday as these two sides are considered the top two contenders for the Premier League title this season. Chelsea, if truth were told, looks like the side to beat in this clash. Manchester United are the reigning champions though and nothing should be put past them, the least of which is showing up the Blues at Stamford Bridge.

Soccer Betting Line:
Chelsea -½ Ev Ev 2½ O +105 U -125 1 O -145 U +125 Draw +225
Venue: Stamford Bridge

Match Time: 11:00 A.M. Eastern Time Sunday November 8, 2009

Soccer Betting Verdict: Chelsea FC are finally looking like a football club and not just a Russian tycoons plaything. Chelsea have not looked this good in a while even though they have continued to be a successful club since Abramovich bought them over. Credit has to be given to Coach Carlo Ancelotti who took an already world class outfit and made them better than they are by transcending individual brilliance and creating a united front. A cohesive team. Together they have a new dimension that was never reached under Scolari or even interim coach Hiddink. The results speak for themselves.

Manchester United have lost some of the spark they had with the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Recently, however, they have picked up pace as Rooney and Berbatov are finally finding their scoring feet on the pitch. It is still not the same Man U of last season or the season before and this is a problem for Sir Alex Fergusson. Moreover, they are not as sound defensively as they used to be. Manchester United very nearly lost to CSKA Moskva in midweek Champions League action, only for a late equalizer that bounced off a CSKA defender did they salvage a point from the match.

Nevertheless, when these two sides collide they know how to raise the level of their games. It is expected that this clash will live up to the billing accordingly. Betting on the winner is a tossup theoretically where these two are concerned but if there were a tipping point, Chelsea’s current form tips the balance in their favour.

At Evens, they are an unappealing bet however. Man United are the more tempting play at +285 and if there were a side capable of rising to the occasion, they have to be considered such a side despite the various niggling problems they are showing. For all these parts, the totals is looking like the wisest strategy to take on this match. Better value for the risk. Taking the over 2.5 goals for combined team totals and the Over 1 goal for each respective side.

Free Soccer Picks: Over 2.5 +105 | Man U Over 1 Even| Chelsea Over 1 -145