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Manchester United will look to pile the pressure on rivals Manchester City once more at the top of the table as they look to go briefly top of the Premier League when they go up against relegation-threatened Blackburn.
United play hosts to rock-bottom Rovers a day before City take on Sunderland at the Stadium of Light, and with boss Roberto Mancini apparently feeling the pressure having failed to score in a game for the first time this season against West Brom before hitting out at the packed festive fixture list, United will look to give them no breathing space and force them into another mistake that will allow them to stay at the top for the first days of 2012.
Worryingly for City, Sir Alex Ferguson’s team appear to have finally found their feet once more and are looking dangerous in front of goal having scored ten goals in their last two games, against Fulham and Wigan.
Those two results have not only helped them pick up six points as the fixtures continue to come thick and fast, but also help vastly improve their inferior goal difference to City, something which could be vital in what is expected to be one of the tightest title races for some time.
United’s recent results have been made all the more remarkable by the extent of their injury list, which has reached preposterous levels, with almost an entire first team in the treatment room.
Rio Ferdinand, Jonny Evans and Phil Jones were latest United players to join the ever-increasing list, although while Evans is out for two weeks both Jones and Ferdinand may make it back for the game on Saturday.
Chris Smalling may also miss the clash having suffered with the same illness that caused Jones to miss the second half against Wigan, although there are high hopes in the United camp that the former Fulham man will be available for selection.
Blackburn meanwhile final have something positive to talk about after a season so far full of chaos and controversy having snatched a point against Liverpool at Anfield.
That point may not have helped them off the foot of the table following their disastrous loss to fellow strugglers Bolton last week, but will have done wonders for their morale going into one of the toughest assignments on offer in the Premier League.
Match Winner
The odds are overwhelmingly placed in Manchester United’s favour going into the game, with Blackburn given very little chance of causing an upset.
The visitors are placed at 29.00 (28/1) with VC Bet to take three unlikely points, while Manchester United are heavy favourites at 1.15 (2/13) with StanJames.
The draw is 9.00 (8/1), also with VC Bet.
First goalscorer
With Dimitar Berbatov bagging himself a hat-trick against Wigan the Bulgarian is among the leading favourites to open the goal scoring on Saturday.
Berbatov is 5.00 (4/1) with BWIN to open the scoring at Old Trafford while his partners in crime – Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney – are 4.50 (7/2) and 3.75 (11/4) respectively with the same bookmaker.
For Blackburn Yakubu is their leading threat, and the Nigerian is best placed at 19.00 (18/1) withBet365.
Recommended Bets
First Goalscorer: Wayne Rooney, 3.75 (11/4) BWIN
Correct score: Man Utd 3-0, 7.50 (13/2) BoyleSports
