Super Sunday Preview: The Higher Ranking to Prove Their Power

THE BLUES lost a 2-0 lead to draw with Southampton in midweek and will quickly look to rectify that and do a double over their London rivals this season.

That game ended The Gunners good start to the campaign and they have been in and out since. The same is true of Chelsea who are prone to the odd stinker but showed against Stoke last week that they are still capable of getting in the grove (not a deserved winning margin though).

The recent head to head of these teams is rather even and Arsenal pulled off a huge 5-3 victory in this fixture a season ago. Van Persie was their key man that day and without him the bigger sides have shut them out.

Liverpool are the only top 10 side they scored more than once against and only one they also beat away from The Emirates.

Although Chelsea have a better record on their travels than at home, tthe leaders, Man United, and the trailers, QPR, are the only two clubs to win at Stamford Bridge this campaign. Arsenal took a long time to find their feet against Man City last week and Chelsea are unlikely to afford them any easier an opportunity.

Arteta, Rosicky (injury) and Gervinho (African Cup Of Nations) are absent for Arsene Wenger and from Rafa Benitez side Victor Moses and Mikel are playing in Africa.

Chelsea will probably prevail and if you fancy them to win then you will not complain about the Even money available in a couple of places. Bookings are usually not scarce in these encounters and Im willing to trust the bookmakers opinion and back the spread on 4-6 cards inclusive at 10/11 with William Hill

EARLIER this season Tottenham gained a victory at Old Trafford, the last time they had done Brad Friedel was their only player who had been born.

United have only failed to win twice in the league in nearly four months since. Spurs are on a good enough run themselves, only Everton taking their scalp in their last 10.

The home side have failed to score more than once in this corresponding meeting since the 2001/02 season and are 11 seasons without beating Fergie’s side at White Hart Lane.

The United team will be dead keen to gain revenge as the manner in which they lost in Spetember did not reflect their foothold in the game. Vidic is now back and the Manhester side are far more resolute since only conceded once in the three league games the Serbian’s return.

Tottenham will have limited attacking options with Adebayor gone to Africa and the firepower United have will make life difficult for them. AVBs side excelled themselves once already in beaten them in the reverse fixture but I can’t foresee it again.

Im going to take a stab on Man United to win by a couple of goals, they are 7-2 with Paddy Power with the -1 Handicap and history suggests that is not too hard to do here.