Manchester United have gotten their noses in front of Chelsea as the Premier League enters the month of December. They will have looked at Chelsea’s fixture list and smiled to be honest, because if they can beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, then United would, following that match, probably have a huge advantage at the top of the Premier League. There are a couple of interesting matches for Manchester United, but they look to have a much easier December than Chelsea. There are questions surrounding the quality in depth of the squad at Old Trafford. The starting eleven really doesn’t sound as if it will cause as much threat as it should, but with Manchester United, you know you are going to get goals, and solid, scrapping performances when needed. Even though the quality may not be at its highest, Alex Ferguson has plenty of versatility at his disposal. He can rotate his squad easily and still manage to come up with the results needed. They of course have just gotten back Wayne Rooney, and if he reproduces his best form, then his goals will only strengthen them. Big questions about their midfield being good enough though, and that could be their downfall. Do they have the title credentials to take back their Premier League crown? Here we take a look at what is in store for Manchester United over the following month in the Premier League, along with some betting tips and football predictions.
Manchester United Premier League Outright Betting
Suddenly Manchester United look strong favourites to win the Premier League ahead of Chelsea, and a much clearer picture will be seen at the end of December. The two sides meet, and Chelsea also have to navigate a much tougher fixture list than Manchester United have to do. This really puts the ball in Manchester United’s court, and there are steady signs that they are going to get better as the season goes along. They are still unbeaten in the Premier League this year, although they have not been as ruthless in finishing teams off and picking up three points. They suddenly make the most sense to get behind, because there are winnable games during December for United, which could see them in a big ascendancy come the start of the new year. Well worth backing right now taking December into consideration. You always know that they are going to be up there mixing it up, however well the challengers around are doing. They have the stick-ability that always takes them close, and they are well worth a punt for good value.
7/4 at Unibet
Blackpool v Manchester United, Saturday, December 4th
Blackpool are beginning to find life in the Premier League a little bit tough, and as they struggle on through the winter months it may just get a little bit tougher again. Manchester United, who been strangely charitable on their travels this year, should win this one. Still, you look at the fixture list and see this one on your coupon, and you can’t think of anything other than an away win. United have to start getting more clinical and ruthless on the road if they are going to press home any advantage that Chelsea will inadvertently give them. This should be the first three points of December in the bag for the Red Devils. Yes, they have drawn six of their seven away matches in the Premier League this season, but the important stat to read from that, is that they have not dropped any points. These kind of opponents are sort of unknown, and may raise their game to give United a challenge, but it won’t be enough to stop the Red Devils. They will get their away game going, and this is a good place to start.
Prediction: Win 4/11 at Bet365
Other: Draw 17/4 at Victor Chandler, Blackpool 8/1 at BetFred
Manchester United v Arsenal, Monday, December 13th
The first of two December Premier League fixtures which could really define United’s season. Their matches against Arsenal are always entertainment, and never short on incident. This one promises to be no different, and with it being at Old Trafford, you have to believe that Manchester United are not going to throw away three points here. They just are not that easily beaten there, no matter how good the opposition is. United have that little bit of grit and grind to get the better of Arsenal, much as they have done in the past. Manchester United have a fantastic 57% win success at Old Trafford against Arsenal, and that just about sums it all up. United beat Arsenal home and away last season, and while arguably the Gunners are much stronger than they were last season, it is still very difficult to see them breezing into Old Trafford and winning. There are just some vulnerabilities at the back for Arsenal that Manchester United will exploit, and will enjoy exploiting. United lead the overall head to head against the Gunners too, with 86 wins to Arsenal’s 77, but for this big December Premier League match, Arsenal wins at Old Trafford are just too rare to expect another.
Prediction: Win 18/19 at Bwin
Other: Draw 12/5 at Bwin, Arsenal 13/5 at Bwin
Chelsea v Manchester United, Sunday, December 19th
How will the Premier League be looking by the time United head south to London to face defending Champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge? United could well have their noses further in front than just the two point lead which they have at the start of December. Assuming United go into this one on the back of two victories, their confidence level should be high. However, this could be the one banana skin in their December fixture list, as Chelsea, no matter what kind of form the London club are in, will always give United a good run for their money. Technically, Chelsea are the better side than Manchester United, they have the edge in that technical ability, and with the home impetuous, it could be the downfall of United at Stamford Bridge. Manhcester Untied just haven’t been able to figure out Chelsea well enough over the past few seasons, even though they have had some successes against the Blues. You have to go back to 2002 to find the last victory for the Red Devils at Stamford Bridge in the league. Chelsea are one of the few teams that can technically bully United out of points. There is a lot of respect between the two teams, and this match will simply be the big highlight of December in the Premier League. Chelsea will probably be enjoying their Christmas just a little more than United after this one.
Prediction: Loss 15/13 at Bwin
Other: Manchester United 11/5 at Bwin, Draw 23/10 at Bwin
Manchester United v Sunderland, Sunday, December 26th
United will get straight back on their horse though and take their frustrations out on Sunderland. Former United man Steve Bruce really has Sunderland going well at the moment. This is the side which trounced Chelsea so convincingly at Stamford Bridge not so long ago. However, that does not happen as easily at Old Trafford. Sunderland are a good footballing side right now, and deserve a lot of respect for what they are doing. They are in seventh place in the league at the moment and looking pretty good value for their money. However, you are unlikely to see Manchester United lose two matches in a row, so this one also has to go down as a home victory. It may be a close, tough battle, but that is what Manchester Untied are experts at getting through at home.
Prediction: Win
Birmingham v Manchester United, Tuesday, December 28th
To cap things off for 2010, Manchester United go to Birmingham City and could rub a little more salt into Chelsea’s wounded pride this year. Chelsea lost against Sunderland and Birmingham, so Manchester United will face decent opposition here as well. However, like Sunderland, Birmingham are draw specialists, and you aren’t going to see them score hatfuls of goals. This just works into the favour of Manchester United, who have plenty of goals in them, and it is hard to shut them out. With Rooney back to full fitness, this is the game that United will pick off, where other title challengers will stumble and fall. United are gaining momentum by this point again, and will they be well on their way to a league title? They may not come through December unbeaten, but they will be in the driving seat to win the Premier League.
Prediction: Win
Start of December Premier League:
Manchester United: P15 W8 D7 L0 Pts 31 (1st)
Chelsea: P15 W9 D2 L4 Pts 29 (2nd)
Arsenal: P15 W9 D2 L4 Pts 29 (3rd)
End of December Premier League Predictions (Click links to see December Predictions)
Manchester United P20 W12 D7 L1 Pts 43 (1st)
Chelsea: P20 W12 D4 L4 Pts 40 (2nd)
Arsenal: P20 W12 D2 L6 Pts 38 (3rd)
