Premier League Betting - Chelsea vs. Manchester United Odds - 09-21-08

September 21 - United were beaten 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in April, merely a month before triumphing over Chelsea in the Champions League final, with the Premier League crown already successfully defended.

Despite their superiority in silverware, United have only picked up a paltry two points from their last possible 18 at Stamford Bridge, last nicking a draw in May 2007. The two teams are 9/4 to be deadlocked at the final whistle.

Chelsea boss Jose Felipe Scolari looks set to hand Didier Drogba his first league start of the season after an appearance from the bench in the 3-1 win over Manchester City signaled the 30-year-old's comeback from a knee injury.

The imposing Ivory Coast international, who was the Premier League's top scorer two seasons ago, is 6/1 favourite to break his early season duck by grabbing the first goal and 2/1 to score at any time.

United could be buoyed by their own return, with Cristiano Ronaldo in line for his season debut after a mid-week outing as substitute in the 0-0 Champions League draw with Villarreal.

In the short time he was on the pitch in the European fixture, Ronaldo seemed to inject some much-needed directness into disappointing United's play - the Portuguese winger, who netted an amazing 42 goals in all competitions last season, is 6/1 to draw first blood in this battle of the big-guns and 2/1 to strike over the 90 minutes.

Chelsea's midfield dynamo Deco is sure the Blues will not be intimidated be the presence of his Portugal team-mate: "We are not obsessed by him. He is just one player and we are strong enough to deal with him."

Deco has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League. The former Barcelona man - whose opening day decider against Wigan confirmed he is a threat from long range - is 12/1 to break the deadlock, 4/1 to score at anytime and an interesting 8/1 to score from outside the box.

In other fixtures this weekend, Liverpool (1/5) attempt to keep up their promising early-season form with a win over Stoke City (14/1) at Anfield. Fresh from a brace in the Champions League victory over Marseilles in mid-week, captain fantastic Steven Gerrard is 9/2 to make his 100th Liverpool goal the opener.

Elsewhere, manager-less Newcastle United (11/4) travel to Upton Park to face West Ham (evens) for new boss Gianfranco Zola's first match in charge and Arsenal (8/13) face former bogey team Bolton (5/1) in a traditionally testing fixture for the Gunners.

A north-east derby takes place at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland (11/8) - languishing in 17th position - host ninth place Middlesbrough (2/1), while Roy Hodgson's Fulham (12/5) look to take advantage of their game in hand by turning over Blackburn (11/10) at Ewood Park.

Will the champions choke at Chelsea?

Click here to read our Ladbrokes.com Review and bet now on this great Rivalry. They don't accept US players, but you can bet on the match at Intertops Sportsbook.

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