Weekend Premiership

Top marks for Tom here,  nailing both games.

A dramatic Wednesday night at the top of the Premier League means it is advantage Manchester United heading into the final eight games of the season and more questions will be answered this Easter weekend. The second instalment of ‘Grand Slam Sunday’ this season sees the top four clash and we will certainly know more about the likely destination of the Premier League crown come six o’clock on Sunday evening.

United entertain Liverpool at Old Trafford and while the Reds have hit a purple patch they have come up against sides that have been largely struggling for form. United are certainly no such side and I make them a decent bet at 2.00 to take all three points. They will have been buoyed by Chelsea dropping points at White Hart Lane late on and, with their two nearest rivals clashing hours later at the Bridge, Sir Alex will be desperate to turn up the heat. A win would give his side a six point cushion, albeit not for long, and that would put them in pole position.

It is hard not be impressed with the form of Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard at present but looking through the Liverpool line up it is difficult to see a match winner outside of either of that duo and ultimately that could be the difference. In Ronaldo and Rooney United have their own prolific pair but Tevez, Scholes, Nani et al all offer significantly more threat than the likes of Babel and Kuyt and I take them to prove too much for their opponents.

Rafa Benitez has a shocking record against the rest of the ‘big four’, he saw his side beaten 1-0 at Anfield by the Red Devils earlier in the season, and his search for a first win at Old Trafford looks set to continue.

And so to Stamford Bridge where Arsenal are the visitors and both sides will know how they stand at the summit following events at Old Trafford previously.

Before Chelsea’s incredible 4-4 draw in midweek I was extremely bullish about their chances of collecting all three points but I am slightly concerned that Robbie Keane’s late equaliser may have been a real momentum stopper. That said, it is difficult to imagine Arsene Wenger’s side raising their game sufficiently to go to West London and win and I’ll be taking them on.

Just four games back Arsenal held a five lead over their nearest rivals but four consecutive draws has seen that advantage wiped out and they now trail by three. The late penalty conceded by Gael Clichy at St Andrews in their infamous draw with Birmingham seems to have knocked them out of their stride and, bar their brilliant win in Milan, Arsenal have looked mediocre in the last month or so.

Given Chelsea’s current form and their brilliant record at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, it’s over four years since their last defeat on home soil, I have to be laying the away side at just 3.60. I think they should be at least 4.00 shots and the draw looks the most likely outcome. That would suit United and know doubt Fergie would be delighted with that outcome, providing his troops have done the business beforehand.