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This week has shown that the Premiership is without doubt the strongest league in Europe if not the world. Three English clubs have progressed to the semi-finals of the Champions League, but for Manchester United and Chelsea, that competition is just one of many fronts on which they are fighting. This weekend they must regroup for the FA Cup, while the remainder of the Premiership are fighting out for European places and league relegation. PinnacleSports.com will be pricing up the entire action offering up to 60% better odds on Asian Handicaps.
Battling Chelsea Keep the Quad Alive
Michael Essien's last minute goal at the Mestalla gives Chelsea the chance of making history by winning four major competitions in one season. The Carling Cup is already in the trophy cabinet, and the Blues can take a big step toward adding the FA Cup when they take on Blackburn at Old Trafford on Sunday. The FA Cup is the only domestic trophy Jose Mourinho is yet to win, and his side showed their desire to win the competition by battling back from 3-1 down against Spurs in the previous round, while the Special One will be at his boastful best after success against Valencia in midweek.
A Man Utd legend as a player, Mark Hughes will be no stranger to Old Trafford. He leads his side out to take on Chelsea, looking to go one better than in 2005 when Rovers where beaten at this stage by the Arsenal. It was the Gunners who Blackburn put out in the previous round, giving them the belief that they can mix it with the 'Big Four', though they appear distracted losing their last three Premiership games, conceding eight goals. Not the best form to take into a game against a side they have already lost three times to this season without even scoring. PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea 1.813 (-0.5 & -1) and Blackburn 2.130 (+0.5 & +1).
What Next from United After the Magnificent Seven?
Anyone who witnessed Manchester United's seven-goal Champions League demolition of Roma in midweek would rightly assume that their FA Cup semi-final against Watford at Villa Park will be a foregone conclusion. Aside from that master-class of attacking football, United are the Premiership leaders boasting the league's best scoring record. Watford in contrast have occupied bottom spot in the table for virtually the entire season, scoring just 24 times in 33 games. The sides have already met twice in the league and United won both fixtures.
But what of the magic of the Cup? Watford have reached the last four courtesy of away wins in the previous rounds, and they showed how resilient they can be when holding Chelsea until the 93rd minute of their recent league meeting. The Hornets are as good as relegated so their hope for this season now rest on the ninety minutes of this game. The Red Devils recently came undone at Fratton Park, losing 2-1 to Portsmouth, suggesting that a well organised Premiership side does stand some chance, though in the case of Watford it is a very slim one. PinnacleSports.com set the bar at two goals pricing Manchester United 1.826 (-1.5) with Watford 2.110 (+1.5).
Will Blades Fall on Their Swords?
Three successive Premiership defeats have sucked Sheffield United right into the relegation quagmire. The Blades have six remaining fixtures, all but one of which are against sides either fighting for their own survival or in the case of Manchester United, challenging for the title. On Saturday they host West Ham at Bramall Lane in the first of those all important encounters. While Neil Warnock's side are struggling for form, the Hammers have won three games on the trot and could leap-frog Sheffield United and get themselves out of trouble with a win. The East Londoners certainly rode their luck last Saturday as they became the first side to win at the Emirates Stadium, which will have understandably given them a tremendous boost ahead of this key fixture.
Gunners Scrambling to Save their Season
The loss of Arsenal's unbeaten record at the Emirates Stadium was the latest setback in what is becoming a deepening end-of-season slump for the Gunners. Arsene Wenger's side have now won just one of their last six fixtures, and are in danger of losing out on the only remaining target for this term - Champions League qualification. Arsenal are currently in fourth position in the league just one place and two points above Bolton who they host on Saturday. The two sides have met six times since last season (including twice in the FA Cup), and on both occasions that Arsenal have had home advantage the game ended 1-1. Having tasted European football in last season's UEFA Cup, the Trotters are desperate to go one better by qualifying for the main event. Wanderers are unbeaten in their last three games but haven't exactly been in sparkling form, losing 4-1 at both White Hart Lane and Old Trafford in February and March respectively, though they have benefited from the return of Kevin Davies.
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