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There is good news for England fans with the news that Ashley Cole is set to start on the bench for Chelsea against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday. (Spurs 11/4, draw 12/5, Chelsea 10/11).

Cole has been out of action for two months since fracturing his ankle in a clash against Everton in February and although he has not played any practice games since he returned to training, Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that he will be part of the squad for the trip to White Hart Lane. He has returned quicker than expected – he had been initially pencilled in to return at the end of April – and Ancelotti has been quick to praise Cole’s commitment and the Stamford Bridge medical staff.

The return of Cole will be seen as a boost for both Chelsea and England. Chelsea are hoping to secure the double this season and are currently four points ahead of Manchester United at the top of the Premier League. Three points against Spurs will take them one step closer to their first league title since 2006. They are 10/11 to beat Spurs and 1/8 favourites to win the league.

Chelsea are also in line for the double after their 3-0 success against Aston Villa last weekend secured an FA Cup final appearance against Portsmouth on May 15. They are 1/4 to lift the famous trophy. However, Ancelotti has been quick to tell his players to forget all aspirations of winning the double and has urged them to retain their focus.

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Ancelotti stated;

“My work is very easy, because they know what they need to do. We never speak about the double. That’s not the right way to prepare at all.

“It is not a formality we will win the title. We have to play very important and difficult games and we have to pay attention.

“Now, the title is not so sure for us. We have to fight again. We are working to win both the league and the FA Cup. We are involved in both and in a very good position, but nothing is decided.”

Ancelotti is aware that Spurs will be a tricky prospect and they impressed him during their 2-1 defeat of Arsenal in midweek.

Meanwhile, Joe Cole is focusing on club over country for the time being, although he has not given up hope of being recalled to Fabio Capello’s England squad ahead of the World Cup.

Both Coles have suffered with injuries this season and patchy form has seen Joe drop out of the England reckoning. However, he knows that you can’t talk your way into the England squad and he is focused on playing his best for Chelsea, helping them to secure a historic double. After that, he has admitted what will be, will be.

Speaking about the prospect of playing in the World Cup, he stated; “I just want to work hard for my team-mates and whatever happens happens. It’s obviously something I’d like to play in but at the moment I’m just concentrating on helping Chelsea win the title.”

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Roberto Mancini has urged his free-scoring side to continue slamming in the goals, believing that the number of goals scored could be crucial in the race for fourth place. City are currently 4/9 favourites to finish fourth.

City face Manchester United at Eastlands on Saturday with both sides looking for the points for different reasons. City are hoping to consolidate their current standing of fourth in the League whilst United will be hoping to keep the pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table.

United will be hoping to bounce back against their local rivals after picking up a disappointing point in a goalless draw at Blackburn last Sunday. This has seen United’s title odds lengthen to 13/2 after Chelsea posted a 1-0 success against Bolton at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday evening. The Blues are now 1/8 to secure their first League title since 2006 as they are now four points ahead of United at the top of the table.

Tottenham Hotspur kept up the pressure on City in the race for fourth by beating local rivals Arsenal in the North London derby on Wednesday evening. Their 2-1 success propelled them to fifth in the table, one point and one place behind City. In the process, they severely dented Arsenal’s title hopes as the Gunners now lie six points behind Chelsea. They are 20/1 outsiders to win the League.

Many see the race for fourth being between City and Spurs, with some citing the clash at Eastlands between the two sides on May 5 as being pivotal in the battle for the final Champions League spot. However, both City and Spurs face tough run-ins, meaning that Liverpool and Aston Villa could mount a late surge if they can improve their consistency. Those two sides are 20/1 and 25/1 to finish fourth respectively. Meanwhile, Spurs are 2/1 second favourites to secure Champions League football for next season, with City 4/9 favourites.

City have scored 14 goals in the last three games and Roberto Mancini feels that goal difference could be crucial in the final reckoning. City have a current goal difference of 28, whilst Spurs have 27, and Mancini is hoping to retain this advantage.

Speaking to the Manchester City website, Mancini stated; “We know that it is vital we have a good goal difference because that could possibly decide who finishes in fourth place.

“We have been scoring a few goals in recent weeks, which is good. There is no reason we cannot continue to keep scoring if we play in the manner we have been of late, no matter the opposition.”

The big news ahead of Saturday’s Manchester derby is the potential return of Wayne Bridge. The left-back has missed the last five matches after undergoing a hernia operation and could bolster City’s back line. Meanwhile, England fans will be waiting to see if Wayne Rooney is on the team sheet after missing the last few games with an ankle injury.

Manchester City are 17/10 to get the win they need to consolidate fourth place whilst United are 11/8 to increase the pressure on Chelsea with a three point display. The draw is 12/5.

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