Manchester United v Blackburn Rovers

Saturday 21 February 2009,
Old Trafford

Kickoff: 17:30

Manchester United

Manchester United beat Fulham 3-0 at Old Trafford in their last league outing, making a run of fourteen games unbeaten since their last defeat (2-1 against Arsenal at The Emirates Stadium).

Man Utd have won twelve and drawn two of their fourteen game streak (including nine wins on the bounce); taking 38 points from a possible 42. The Red Devils have found the back of the net 24 times and not conceded a single goal, extending a new Premier League record for consecutive clean sheets to 14 games, as they sit top of the table.

Manchester United will have to do without Owen Hargreaves (knee) and Anderson (ankle), while Gary Neville should be available after being struck down with a virus and Wayne Rooney is fit again following a hamstring injury.

Blackburn

Blackburn Rovers lost 2-0 against Aston Villa at Ewood Park in their last league outing, their first defeat in seven games since losing 3-0 against Wigan Athletic at the JJB Stadium.

They have won two, drawn four, and lost one of their last seven games; collecting 10 points from the 21 offered. The Rovers have found the back of the net 10 times and leaked 6 goals during this time, as they sit eighteenth in the league table.

Blackburn will have to do without Brett Emerton (knee) and Steven Reid (knee).

Prediction

Manchester United beat Blackburn 2-0 in this corresponding fixture last season with 2 goals from Ronaldo and repeated that score line 2-0 victory at Ewood Park earlier this season.

The current Premier League leaders are on their best form of the season and have won 11 successive games at Old Trafford, making this a daunting task for lowly Blackburn, especially as The Rovers haven’t won away from home in nine games since beating Newcastle 2-1 at St James’ Park.

However, despite defeat in their last match, Blackburn are on improving form in general and as a Lancashire derby, they will be trying their best to prevent Manchester United notching up another victory at their expense.

The reigning champions seem to be building momentum, and with Dimitar Berbatov hitting some kind of goal scoring form (with 5 goals in his last 8 matches), the return of Wayne Rooney and the home crowd behind them; and despite the good form of Benni McCarthy and Jason Roberts with 8 goals in the last 7 games between them (4 each), the Red Devils will go into this encounter as strong favourites for victory.

Read the complete Manchester United v Blackburn preview with betting odds at Sports Betting Review.

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