EARLY KICK OFFS .......

PREMIERSHIP

CHELSEA - MANCHESTER UNITED

United have not won in nine visits to fortress Stamford Bridge, where the Blues are unbeaten inside 90 minutes in 84 games (they lost a cup , penalty shoot out) and it is hard to see that changing today. Gene Hackman lookalike, Big Phil Scolari will certainly have his troops fired up for what is, his first really big game in charge. He is certainly not going to let complacency set in, after not being entirely happy with the performance, despite the fact they put four past Bordeaux in midweek. United could not find a way through the Villarreal defence, have had a day's less recovery time and Ronaldo probably still needs time to get himself match fit.

6.5 points Chelsea -1/4 ball 1.89 asian line.

MANCHESTER CITY - PORTSMOUTH

I really like the price for the "over" here, City's four league starts have averaged 4.0 per game and now that Jo has settled into his game and has Robinho alongside, they look a far cry from the goal shy team of last season.Pompey's games have also produced plenty of excitement, with three containing three of more goals. In the UEFA Cup tie in midweek, once Guimares threw off the shackles and tried to go forward, they created plenty of problems for the Portsmouth defence, which really rode their luck at times. Plenty of pace going forward on both teams and a repeat of last years four goals would not surprise, the odds look fantastic !

6 points "over" 2.5 goals 2.16 asian line.

ITALY

SERIE A

UDINESE - NAPOLI

Here we have two teams with real ambition of breaking into the top 4 this year, but getting a half ball start, I have to stick with the visitors, who have really impressed me this season. They are a massive club, with literally millions of "members" worldwide and will get back into the Champions League and the big time, sooner rather than later. Napoli have already beaten Fiorentina and drawn at Roma, where they played more than a third of the game with ten men, yet still took the game to their hosts, creating 17 attempts on goal. They are very fit and get stronger the longer the game progresses. Unfortunately they will be without striker Ezequiel Lavezzi, but have Brazilian Ignacio Pia available to take his place. They will have great PMA from last season, where they won 5-0 here and did the double, with an 8-1 goal difference.

5.5 points Napoli +1/2 ball 1.93 asian line.

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