MAN UNITED boast the best away form in the Premier League and will need to be at their best on Sunday to pick up three points against Chelsea (4pm ko).
The old foes meet under contrasting circumstances with the Reds once again challenging for the title while the Blues are out of the race and aiming to hold on to the fourth Champions League slot ahead of Arsenal.
It's not where fans want to see their side but Chelsea seem to be in transition under Andre Villas-Boas who is determined to get rid of the old guard.
Chelsea were poor as they edged out QPR in the FA Cup last week then got lucky to draw at Swansea with a last-gasp deflected goal from Jose Bosingwa.
It's not the sort of form that will strike fear into Sir Alex Ferguson's side even though they haven't a won a league game at the Bridge since 2004.
They did, however, triumph there in the Champions League last season and that victory will be fresh in the memory.
Chelsea will be without crocked skipper John Terry and banned Ashley Cole while Fernando Torres will again lead the line with Didier Drogba, as well as Salomon Kalou, at the African Cup Nations.
United are boosted by the return of Wayne Rooney and Nani (foot) and the only concern is that dodgy David de Gea will be in goal.
I reckon the Reds will edge it in a game that sees both sides score. United are a best 19-10 at Betfred and Coral with Chelsea 13-8 at Ladbrokes and BetVictor. The draw pays 23-10 at BetVictor.
Rooney could be the man to back at first scorer at 13-2 with Stan James while Antonio Valencia is worth a look at 11-2 at unibet to net at any time.
Both to score pays 8-11 at bet365 and over 2.5 goals is 1-1 at Ladbrokes, Paddy Power and bet365.
The other Premier League game sees Newcastle entertain Aston Villa (1.30pm ko) boosted by the return of Senegal strikers Demba Ba and Papiss Demba Cisse from the African Nations Cup.
Papiss Cisse is in line for a debut following his January move from Freiburg and Demba Ba could form a deadly partnership if they don't suffer a reaction to a disappointing trip away with their national side.
Midfielder Yohan Cabaye serves the second game of his three-match ban while defender Steven Taylor and midfielders Sylvain Marveaux and Sammy Ameobi remain sidelined.
Villa, who have a doubt over Gabriel Agbonlahor, Marc Albrighton and James Collins, will be hoping to take at least a point from a game that promises a few goals.
Newcastle have won the last two meeting at St James' 6-0 and 2-0 but a Villa side who were struggling to score a couple of weeks have netted in their last five.
They have banged in 11 in their last five including three Bristol Rovers and Wolves and two against Arsenal in the FA Cup.
Alex McLeish's men recovered from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with QPR in midweek with Darren Bent hitting his 100th league goal. Both to score returns 8-11 at bet365 and Betfred.
Bent is 6-1 with bet365 to hit the opener but most of the money is likely to be split between Senegal pals Demba Pa and Papiss Demba Cisse. Demba Ba is 9-2 favourite with firms such as unibet, William Hill and bet365. His international team-mate is 11-2 unibet and bet365.
The first game on Sunday should have been Derby v Nottingham Forest in the Championship but it was frozen off.
Recommendations
Man United
(19-10, Betfred, Coral)
Over 2.5 goals
(1-1, various)
Both to score at Newcastle
(8-11, bet365, Betfred)
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any tips on the superbowl fixit ? thinking of lumping new york just for the better price , any thoughts ? cheers
any tips on the superbowl fixit ? thinking of lumping new york just for the better price , any thoughts ? cheers