Deco is in bullish mood ahead of the clash with Manchester United by claiming that he thinks Chelsea have too much fire-power for Manchester United to contend with.

The Premier League’s top two meet in the top clash at the weekend, and Deco is backing the Blues – currently top by two points – to extend their lead. The Portuguese midfield maestro is going into the game fully confident that Didier Drogba will fire them to victory.

“The big difference between us and United is in attack,” said Deco. “Drogba is enjoying a spectacular moment in his career and is superior to the front-line of United. For me, Didi will be the key – the star of the match, for sure.”

Deco also believes that the game is worth more than just three points.

“This match has a four-point value, an extra one for the blow to United’s morale because they also failed to beat Liverpool,” he said. “If they fail in London they will need to think very much about things in the following days.

“Victories in classic matches like this always have enormous value. For Chelsea to begin November with a five-point advantage over United will be sensational.”

Meanwhile, Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson insists his side will put up a better show against the Blues than they did at Liverpool.

“It’s always hard at Chelsea but we’ll deal with it better than we did at Anfield,” said Ferguson. “It was difficult at Anfield. You have to have a winning mentality and it was missing at Liverpool. Players are human so that can happen.”

One positive aspect for Ferguson is Antonio Valencia, who he feels is starting to hit his stride following a £17 million summer switch from Wigan.

“It is good to see him scoring,” said Ferguson. “He did not show a scoring ability when he was at Wigan but when he came to us we talked about this and the fact if he is to progress his career, it was something he should work on.

“He is showing evidence of progress now. He has settled in and is emerging as a top performer. He has strength, good balance, speed and is a good crosser of the ball.

“But the main thing is that he is now playing with much more confidence. I am delighted with his steady improvement and hopefully he will prove to be another valuable source of goals as we move through the season.”

John O’Shea is almost certain to step in for suspended skipper Gary Neville, while Rio Ferdinand is again set to be on the sidelines with a continuing calf problem, even if Nemanja Vidic has recovered from a similar injury.

As Patrice Evra will also return to the starting line-up in place of Fabio, whose defensive discipline let him down against CSKA Moscow in midweek, it means three-fifths of United’s defence will have changed in the space of five days.