It might only be November. It might only be 13 games into the season. But who amongst us doesn’t really believe that tomorrow’s encounter at Old Trafford is a title decider?

A lot could change between tomorrow and May, true. Watford, for example, could got on a 20-match winning streak and qualify for the Champions League.

Charlton might admit the real reason they fired Ian Dowie was aesthetic. And Wigan may realise that playing Emile Heskey on a regular basis is tantamount to cruelty to humanity.

But while the odds against those things actually taking place are huge, the odds against the winners of tomorrow’s clash going on to win the title are very, very short.

Put simply, whoever wins tomorrow will have one hand on the Premiership title. Just one, but with a grip so tight it will difficult for anyone to prise it away from their grasp.

A win for United would see them open up a six point gap over Chelsea and, while that is nowhere near an insurmountable lead, it would give them a huge psychological boost.

A win for Chelsea, on the other hand, would bring them level on points and give them a massive boost and considerable momentum as they bid for their third title in a row.

A draw, however, would leave things exactly as they are and make everything I have written so far pretty redundant. So let’s not go there.

On form it is hard to pick between the two. Both are on pretty darned decent runs in the league yet both lost their midweek Champion’s League encounters 1-0. Both are solid at the back and highly competent in the middle. And, up front, both Rooney and Drogba are in very rich veins of form.

There are some doubts as to whether Drogba will play tomorrow after picking up an injury against Werder Bremen on Wednesday. But Mourinho has played down the injury saying it is nothing serious.

And, from a neutral’s point of view I hope he is right as it would be much more entertaining a contest if both sides are at full strength.

My only real concern, to be honest, is that the game lives up to the hype and expectation. Often this sort of clash is billed as the game of the season only to turn out to be little more than a case of two big teams canceling each other out for 90 minutes.

Somehow, though, I have a feeling this is one clash that will live up to its billing.

And my prediction? 2-1 to United. So put your money on Chelsea.

West Ham take over

Just typical isn’t it?

After months of unrest, confusion, disputes and rumours, West Ham finally get their act together just days before Sheffield United visit.

The 85 million pound takeover of the club finally went through this week, bringing to an end months of speculation and uncertainty which had had a more than significant bearing on on-field performances.

Their new Icelandic owner has pledged extra funds for new players, promised Alan Pardew his job is safe and generally smoothed everything over and made everyone happy and full of the joys of Spring.

Just in time for the visit of the Blades.

After being a crisis club for so long, couldn’t they have waited another few days before sorting themselves out?

Oh well.

Ashes slipping Englands’ grasp

As I write this, the Ashes are slowly slipping out of England’s grasp down under. At the end of play on the day two England were 53-3 chasing a massive 602 set by the Aussies.

It seems that age and experience are set to triumph over youth and enthusiasm, at least in this first test. In fact, due to the time difference, by the time you read this, the contest could actually be all but over.

Having said that, there are still four more tests to go and plenty of time for England to get their act together. After all, they lost the first test in last year’s encounter but still went on to win the best of five clash.

Somehow, though, I just have a bad feeling about this particular series and, so far, England have done little to indicate my fears aren’t justified !

Contact James on: [email protected]