Jose Mourinho would love a win to relieve recent criticism but he may have to settle for a point against Chelsea, says Dave Tindall...
United clear favourites
Manchester United at 2.36 are over a point clear in the betting of Chelsea, who are 3.55for the win.
Mourinho's men certainly must be respected on their home form which shows 10 wins and two draws from 13 matches (Manchester City being the only team they've lost to).
Only City and Liverpool have won more away games than Chelsea's seven and if there is a winner I'd be leaning towards the visitors.
However, three of the last four Old Trafford encounters have resulted in draws so Chelsea's dominance of this fixture is based much more on scores at Stamford Bridge.
And it also needs stating that Mourinho has lost just two of his 32 games at Old Trafford since taking over at United. Both were to Man City.
So, with the game being played in Manchester rather than London, I'll back the Draw at 3.30.
Market says Unders
The tactical nous of both managers and Mourinho's caution suggests Under 2.5 goals is likely and that's shown up by it trading at just 1.78.
History is massively in favour as 10 of the last 13 head-to-heads have witnessed two goals or less.
Over 2.5 is 2.18 and would appeal on just rating the attacking talent on view but tacticsand instructions could keep goal chances down.
Hazard warning
There's a standout choice in the goalscorer market and I'm going to play it.
Eden Hazard has been rampant in recent away games, netting five goals in his last four road trips. He also added a brace in his last Premier League game, at home to West Brom.
The Belgian, who scored in Chelsea's 4-0 win over Man Utd at Stamford Bridge last season, is 3.30 To Score and in his current form that's well worth a go.
Willian has three in his last two games so is also worth a look at 4.30 but the other bet I like is the 2.94 about Romelu Lukaku.
The perception is that he's gone from an excellent signing to a rather underwhelming one but the striker has scored in his last three home games and has six in his last eight domestically.
To get near to 2/1 about a player who historically has prolific patches and poor patches is decent given his current form.
Ref watch
Martin Atkinson gets another big game.
The West Yorkshire official has shown 77 yellows and four reds from his 23 matches this season. Notably, 10 of those came on his last trip to Old Trafford when he flashed yellow to seven Burnley players and three of United's.
Mourinho has some history with Atkinson after his failure to send off David Luiz in that 4-0 win for Chelsea last season.
"It was a major game for both clubs and you want a fair referee. You want a strong referee anyway and we didn't get that," he said. Couldn't possibly have been sour grapes could it?!
Opta stat
Eden Hazard has found the net with each of his last three shots from open play - he had scored with three of his previous 31 open play efforts.
RECOMMENDED BETS
1pt Draw at 3.30
1pt Eden Hazard To Score at 3.30
1pt Romelu Lukaku To Score at 2.94
