Reading manager Steve Coppell has tipped Manchester United to
beat Chelsea to this season's Premiership title.
The Royals hit back to draw 2-2 with Jose Mourinho's side on Boxing
Day and, earlier in the season held United to a 1-1 draw, but
Coppell thinks his former side currently hold a slight advantage in
the title race.
Coppell thinks Chelsea's current injury problems, particularly John
Terry's absence with a back injury and Peter Cech's lengthy spell
on the sidelines with a fractured cheekbone, have handed the
initiative to United, who face Reading on Saturday.
"There's something significant about taking points off the top
sides," Coppell told Sky Sports News. "Although you only get the
one point, somehow it gives you that feeling you belong.
"Both Chelsea and United are capable of going from now to the end
of the season unbeaten.
"I've said all along that I probably thought Europe would have the
biggest influence - how far both sides progress and how big a toll
that takes on the squad.
"It seems at the moment that, with the John Terry and Petr Cech
injuries, it seems to have taken a little bit more out of
Chelsea."