Chelsea v Manchester United: Back reds all over at 66/1

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Rosenior feeling the Blues 

Chelsea's drop off has been drastic especially considering how well it started for Liam Rosenior.

His side beat Charlton 5-1 in the FA Cup then won the five games in between the two losses in both of the legs against Arsenal in the Carabao Cup semi-final. 

The Blues then only lost one of their next five games after that second leg, Arsenal the aggressors once more in the league this time. But looking back, the warning signs were there. 

Since the League Cup loss at the Emirates, Chelsea's five wins have come against the top-flights bottom club Wolves, Hull in the FA Cup, Aston Villa, Wrexham in the FA Cup (in extra time) and Port Vale in the FA Cup. 

Across that sample, they also drew with Leeds and Burnley and they've lost five of their last six. 

Newcastle, Everton and Manchester City beat them by an aggregate scoreline of 7-0 in the league and PSG beat them by an aggregate scoreline of 8-2 in the Champions League. 

It all stinks of a manager out of his depth. 

Red-hot Devils form cooling off? 

Michael Carrick's second stint in the Old Trafford dugout has been successful - on the whole. 

His Manchester United side have won seven of the 11 games he has taken charge of with wins over local rivals Manchester City and Arsenal at the Emirates the highlights. 

Carrick actually went unbeaten across his first seven games (W6 D1) but the form has curtailed recently. 

It started with defeat at St James' Park against the 10-men of Newcastle, United then beat Aston Villa, drew at Bournemouth and lost to Leeds on Monday. 

Worryingly, they were outplayed by Leeds early this week and have had a man sent off in each of their last two games - but more on that latter. 

United the bet at the odds? 

Ordinarily, I would be looking to get against Chelsea at 6/52.20 in the Match Odds market with the Sportsbook. 

Manchester United's recent form and Carrick's lack of experience at the top level is enough to put me off though, even with the visitors 11/53.20 outsiders. 

It is also worth noting the Red Devils are in a commanding position to finish in the top five and with this being an opportunity to keep one of the chasing pack at arms length, the draw at 27/103.70 wouldn't be the worst result for United. 

The visitors are seven points clear of Chelsea in sixth spot with United 1/401.03 on for a top five finish with the Sportsbook. For context, Chelsea are 11/43.75 to finish in the top five. 

Considering this, at 1.758/11 with the Exchange, United's price +0.5 on the Asian handicap looks like a good way to get the hosts onside but I think I've found better value elsewhere. 

Use your head 

Casemiro nodded in an eighth goal of the season against Leeds on Monday. 

It was only a consolation in the grand scheme of things but all bar one of the Brazilian's goals have come with his head this campaign. 

So, his goals per 90 is 0.32 and his headed goals per 90 is 0.28.

His price to score with the Sportsbook is 7/24.50 but he can be backed to score a header at 9/110.00 and that looks a great price. 

With the midfielder also averaging 0.76 headed shots per game, the 10/111.91 about him to have one or more headed shots appeals on Saturday. 

Red mist at the Bridge

Both a red card in the match at 11/26.50 and both teams to have a red card at 66/167.00 are worth punts in this match-up. 

The pair of bets both landed in the reverse - which is a plus. 

Chelsea top the red card charts this season with seven, they only need three more to break the Premier League record for most red cards in a season.  

The Blues have picked up two in their last six games, been involved in five red card games across their last 12 league games and 14 of their games in all competitions have seen someone sent for an early bath. 

Manchester United have been involved in eight red card games, five of which have come in 11 games since Michael Carrick took charge. 

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