Title rivals Man Utd and Chelsea considered inseparable

There is practically nothing to chose between last season’s Premier League top two Manchester United and Chelsea, judging by the fact that both are priced at 5/6 to finish above the other in the 2011-12 campaign.

Between them, the duo have claimed each of the last seven top-flight titles and they have filled the top two spots in five of the last six seasons, which is why the clubs are considered the two most likely to be crowned champions against next May.

If anything, Manchester United are the more attractive option to rank higher than the Blues because of the fact their title odds suggest that they are slightly stronger than the west Londoners, as they are 15/8 to finish first to Chelsea’s 9/4.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have outdone Chelsea in four of the last five campaigns but the one occasion that they had to settle for second was when Carlo Ancelotti arrived at Stamford Bridge so there is potential for his successor to overtake the Red Devils.

Guus Hiddink is the 1/4 favourite to take charge of the three-time Premier League winners, with his main rival appearing to be former Fulham boss Mark Hughes at 3/1, and chief executive Ron Gourlay has revealed that they plan to appoint someone this month.

If events at the top of the table don’t interest you then that’s no problem because Ladbrokes are catering for all customers and have a market on which of suspected strugglers Norwich and Swansea will perform better, with both teams rated at 5/6.

Norwich collected four points more in the Championship last season, and realistically have to be fancied to come out on top again as the runners-up have wound up ahead of the play-off winners in the Premier League in each of the last five years.