Betting: Chelsea

Football is a funny old game and that classic adage couldn't be more apt when it comes to Manchester United’s involvement in the Capital One Cup fourth round this week.

After winning a stormy Barclays Premier League encounter 3-2 at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, a quirk of the fixture calendar means the Reds return to west London just three days later to renew hostilities with Roberto Di Matteo’s men.

We’re keen to focus on the football and considering the thrilling nature of Sunday’s clash – something that's sadly been lost in the post-match controversy – another potential classic awaits.

The cast will be very different, with both managers set to ring the changes, but an assessment of the respective squads suggests this may favour United, who look a cracking price at 21/10 (Chelsea are 11/10 favourites and the draw is 13/5).

The Reds are in the enviable position of being able to field a probable frontline of Danny Welbeck and Javier Hernandez – who grabbed the winner on