• Premier League, 2010-11

Manchester City could win at Chelsea

Simon Cambers March 20, 2011

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Manchester United have not lost at home this season and have only drawn one game so suggesting they might struggle to see off Bolton Wanderers at Old Trafford this weekend might seem like a ridiculous statement. But bear with me.

United have been rock solid at the back only when Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have been together in the centre of defence. Chris Smalling is a fine prospect but Wes Brown is a liability and whenever one of them is missing, there are problems. Take both of them out - as seems likely this weekend - and the defence looks decidedly shaky, as Liverpool exposed in the recent 3-1 win at Anfield.

Now it still takes a lot of nerve to get the job done against United, especally at Old Trafford but the goals have not exactly been raining in recently so Bolton, themselves in excellent form, should not be overawed.

More importantly, in Kevin Davies they have a man that no defence enjoys marking, so in the absence of the first-choice centre backs, he may have even more success.

I really feel that Bolton can hold United and am going to stick my neck out this week by recommending putting half your money on the draw, at 15/4 and half on the win, at 8/1 and making this the bet of the weekend.

BUT - make sure you wait until the teams are announced. If there is no sign of either Ferdinand or Vidic, then take the plunge but if Vidic miraculously shakes off his injury, keep your money in your pocket.

If Manchester City still have any hope of winning the title, they have to win at Chelsea and the good thing for City is that goals have been pretty hard to come by for Chelsea this season, certainly in the last few months.

Fernando Torres still hasn't scored, Didier Drogba is out of form and only Nicolas Anelka and Salomon Kalou show any sign of doing anything in front of goal. It might only take one goal to win this match, so take City at 5/1 with bet365 and make them the weekend punt.

Everton, Tottenham and Villa to come good

For the weekend treble - an area we have enjoyed quite a bit of success in this season - Everton can take advantage of Fulham's poor away record by beating them at even money.

Tottenham, without the problems of playing a European game in midweek, should be fully rested and too good for struggling West Ham United, at 4/7. And Aston Villa can dent the survival hopes of Midlands rivals Wolves by beating them at Villa Park at 5/6.

Throw those three together and you get a treble that would work out at just over 9/2, so not too bad at all. Good luck!

Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.

Simon Cambers is ESPN.co.uk's betting correspondent

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