Chelsea (5/4) are preparing to host Manchester United (9/4) in what the Blues hope will be a repeat of the last league game between the two sides.

United were beaten 2-1 at Stamford Bridge in April, merely a month before triumphing over Chelsea in the Champions League final, with the Premier League crown already successfully defended.

Despite their superiority in silverware, United have only picked up a paltry two points from their last possible 18 at Stamford Bridge, last nicking a draw in May 2007. The two teams are 9/4 to be deadlocked at the final whistle.

Chelsea boss Jose Felipe Scolari looks set to hand Didier Drogba his first league start of the season after an appearance from the bench in the 3-1 win over Manchester City signalled the 30-year-old’s comeback from a knee injury.

The imposing Ivory Coast international, who was the Premier League’s top scorer two seasons ago, is 6/1 favourite to break his early season duck by grabbing the first goal and 2/1 to score at any time.

United could be buoyed by their own return, with Cristiano Ronaldo in line for his season debut after a mid-week outing as substitute in the 0-0 Champions League draw with Villarreal.

In the short time he was on the pitch in the European fixture, Ronaldo seemed to inject some much-needed directness into disappointing United’s play - the Portuguese winger, who netted an amazing 42 goals in all competitions last season, is 6/1 to draw first blood in this battle of the big-guns and 2/1 to strike over the 90 minutes.

Chelsea’s midfield dynamo Deco is sure the Blues will not be intimidated be the presence of his Portugal team-mate: “We are not obsessed by him. He is just one player and we are strong enough to deal with him.”

Deco has made an impressive start to life in the Premier League. The former Barcelona man - whose opening day decider against Wigan confirmed he is a threat from long range - is 12/1 to break the deadlock, 4/1 to score at anytime and an interesting 8/1 to score from outside the box.

In other fixtures this weekend, Liverpool (1/5) attempt to keep up their promising early-season form with a win over Stoke City (14/1) at Anfield. Fresh from a brace in the Champions League victory over Marseilles in mid-week, captain fantastic Steven Gerrard is 9/2 to make his 100th Liverpool goal the opener.

Elsewhere, manager-less Newcastle United (11/4) travel to Upton Park to face West Ham (evens) for new boss Gianfranco Zola’s first match in charge and Arsenal (8/13) face former bogey team Bolton (5/1) in a traditionally testing fixture for the Gunners.

A north-east derby takes place at the Stadium of Light as Sunderland (11/8) - languishing in 17th position - host ninth place Middlesbrough (2/1), while Roy Hodgson’s Fulham (12/5) look to take advantage of their game in hand by turning over Blackburn (11/10) at Ewood Park.

Will the champions choke at Chelsea? Click Here!

The English Premier League is usually a done deal in terms of the champion by this point, but amazingly Chelsea and Manchester United are still both in with a shot of lifting the trophy.

Manchester United won its second straight Soccer Betting Premier League title on Sunday, defeating Wigan 2-0. United was tied with Chelsea in points but had a big goal difference edge and just needed a win to clinch the title. Chelsea ended up playing to a 1-1 draw with Bolton and finished two points behind.

Both teams are, with only one game left to play, exactly even on points; only Manchester United’s superior goal difference edges them in to the lead. If they draw or lose at Wigan on Sunday and Chelsea can beat Bolton (or draw if Manchester United lose) then the Blues will take the crown again.

Those of you who placed bets on Chelsea or the Red Devils winning nothing at the start of the season will be feeling the tension, but it’s not too late if you’ve not gone to the bookies yet – Pinnacle are offering the best odds if you want to pick a winner at the last minute, with Man U at 3/14 and Chelsea at 70/17 to snatch victory at the last minute.

More in soccer betting….

Manchester United breathed a huge sigh of relief as a scan on defender Rio Ferdinand revealed that his left foot is not broken.  Ferdinand left Middlesbrough on Sunday with his foot in a protective boot but the club said he did not suffer a break.  With huge games upcoming for United in the next few weeks they will need a healthy Ferdinand. 

Manchester United plays AS Roma on Wednesday in the Soccer Betting Champions League quarterfinals but they already have a 2-0 lead and are in good shape to advance.  They will definitely want Ferdinand back this month though as they have key Premier League matches against Arsenal and Chelsea.  United was able to get excellent play out of 21-year-old Pique as a replacement for Ferdinand against Middlesbrough but they can’t always assume that will be the case. “Pique came on and did brilliantly. He was marvelous.” Manager Alex Ferguson said, “The lad’s a terrific player and I think that actually helped us. We’ve got great confidence in the lad and he’s come through very well.”  United is already missing defender Nemanja Vidic, who has been out for three weeks with a knee injury.  Goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar said that missing Vidic has hurt recently. “Of course we miss him, he is a very important player for us.” Van der Sar said, “It is no coincidence that with Vidic absent we had some problems but the players who came in did okay.” United should have little trouble with a Roma team they beat 2-0 on the road last week even without Vidic and Ferdinand in the lineup.

In other injury news, Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech will be out for two weeks after colliding with a teammate. It was expected that Cech would return this week from an ankle injury but manager Avram Grant said that will not happen. “He will be out for about two weeks. He has been unlucky with injuries this year. But this is football, these things happen.”

Also, Arsenal midfielder Tomas Rosicky will probably miss the rest of the season with a knee injury.  He has been out since January after injuring his knee against Newcastle United in the FA Cup.  Arsenal does not want to risk his return, especially when their chances of winning the Premier League title are slim.  They want him ready for Euro 2008.