Struggling Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is 11/2 to score the first goal in Sunday’s Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge against title-chasing Manchester United – a club he has often had joy against in the past.

The Spanish striker (6/4 to score Anytime) has scored four times in his last seven Premier League matches against Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, including a neat finish at Old Trafford in this season’s earlier encounter – a 3-1 Chelsea defeat that will also be remembered for Torres’ shocking open-goal miss.

But Torres’ form is now nothing like that of his Liverpool days and his last Premier League goal in Chelsea colours came over 1000 minutes of playing time ago, against Swansea in a match in which he was subsequently sent off.

With Didier Drogba still in Africa, Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas will seemingly again entrust the striker position to Torres in the hope that he can ease the pressure on the young shoulders of the Blues’ manager.

Chelsea (13/8 in Match Betting) have lost three of their last seven league games – as many defeats as they had in the previous 53 matches at Stamford Bridge.

The Londoners are unbeaten in their last nine Premier League home games against the Red Devils, winning six and drawing three while United have scored just four goals in their last 10 visits in all competitions to Stamford Bridge.

But Ferguson’s men (7/4, Draw 23/10) have the best away record in the Premier League – accruing 26 points so far and conceding fewer goals than any other team on the road.

Chelsea are without Ashley Cole after his red card at Swansea in midweek with Ryan Bertrand expected to step into the side – where he will have the tough task of marking in-form United winger Antonio Valencia.

Wayne Rooney (5/1 First Goalscorer) could return after a fortnight out and the United striker has a good recent record against Chelsea – having bagged four goals in his last seven Premier League appearances against the Blues.