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Sundays Battle at Stamford Bridge : Chelsea v Manchester United
Published by Ian John on November 7, 2009
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It is perhaps a little too early in the season to describe Sunday’s clash between Chelsea and Manchester United at Stamford Bridge as a must-win game for either side, however victory for either side would provide a welcome boost to their title hopes, while dealing a blow to their rivals Premier League aspirations.
Being the home side, Chelsea will start favourites, however there is more to it than simply home advantage. Carlo Ancelotti’s side have been in exceptional form of late, not withstanding Tuesday nights last minute disappointment at the Vicente Calderon when Sergio Aguero earned Atletico Madrid a point. Their league form is particularly impressive with back to back thumpings of both Bolton and Blackburn Rovers which have put the Londoners top of the table and in impressive form. Key to that has been the form of two key players, Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard, who have both returned to their best form as well as the return to fitness of Joe Cole, who in Ancelotti’s new system, can cause havoc playing behind the two main strikers.
It is a tough test for a Manchester United side that are grinding out results at the moment without looking particularly special. With Rio Ferdinand out with a back problem, Sir Alex may well opt to play the physical Nemanja Vidic to cope with the threat of Drogba, while either Wes Brown or Jonny Evans will be given the task of tracking Anelka. I fully expect to see Darren Fletcher drafted into midfield for this key game in place of Scholes, while Rooney will almost certainly return to partner Berbatov in attack.
But even with these changes from the midweek 3-3 draw with CSKA Moscow, this looks like being a very tough game for United. The Red Devils form of late has been laconic at times and their 2-0 defeat at Anfield was probably their worst performance for some time. However frailties have been exposed by many other sides this season, Sunderland, Burnley and CSKA Moscow to name but three and with key players out of form this looks like being a stern test for the men from Old Trafford.
The game will probably be one of the most eagerly anticipated clashes across World Football this season, however those billions tuning in may well get something of a shock as I think Chelsea could win this game, and win it very convincingly indeed. Drogba’s strength and power allied with Anelka’s pace, Cole’s promptings from behind and Lampard getting into the box, I see as a real problem for United and I think Chelsea could enjoy something of a red letter day against their rivals from the North. The key for Chelsea is to get these players playing against the United back line as much as possible. That and the energy provided by Michael Essien in midfield, and Ashley Cole down the left, means that Chelsea will start as big favourites.
However you write United off at your peril. Sir Alex has been in this situation before and it is at times like this that he proves once and for all why he is the best there is and ever will be. It should, on paper, be a stroll for Chelsea. They have all the things going for them and all the advantages as I see them listed above.
Which is why I am going for United to nick this 2-1.
Football doesn’t have to make sense. That’s the beauty of it sometimes.
Image Courtesy of ***JulianTL*** at Flickr.com
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Nabyl Charania on Sun, 8th Nov 2009 7:08 pm
It was a good game, Johnny Evans’ flying kick to Drogba was classic
Drogba offside? The EPL weekend in review | deciphersoccer.com on Mon, 9th Nov 2009 5:58 am
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