Chelsea v Manchester United: Red Devils Gain a Point Towards Retaining the Title?
When Avram Grant lost his first match in charge of Chelsea at Old Trafford back in September the Blues were written off as title challengers. However, 7 months down the line the Israeli has led Chelsea to within 3 points of leaders Manchester United with 3 games left to play. This is a must win match for the home side if they are to stand any chance of overcoming the Red Devils and to be fair with a home record like theirs anything is possible.
A Bridge Too Far for United?
The Blues are unbeaten in the last 80 Premier League games at Stamford Bridge dating back over 4 years. So if United want to clinch the title this weekend (although not mathematically) they’ll have to do it the hard way. The Red Devils haven’t actually won at the Bridge in the last 6 years since Paul Scholes, Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored in a 3-0 win. However, times have changed at the Bridge since that result with only 3 of the Chelsea 16-man squad still at the club (Carlo Cudicini, John Terry and Frank Lampard). United still have 7 of their 16-man squad remaining at the club but the team that played that day didn’t include the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney, Carlos Tevez and most importantly Cristiano Ronaldo. In fact, the likes of Rooney and Ronaldo have never won at the Bridge in their short professional careers. As Chelsea are unbeaten in the last 6 home encounters with United (3 wins). In fact, the Red Devils haven’t actually scored a goal at Chelsea in their last 5 trips to the Bridge. The last United scorer in SW6 was Ryan Giggs back in August 2002. Therefore, it would take a brave man to back the away side in this fixture.
Blues on Top
United’s home win over Chelsea this season was their first victory over the Blues in 6 attempts (in all competitions) though 3 of the last 5 matches have ended in draws. In fact, in the last 13 encounters between these two clubs in all competitions, United have won just twice whilst Chelsea have won 6 times. These fixtures are usually low scoring affairs (Goalden & Goal Getter players take note) with the last 5 encounters between these two powerhouses resulting in 2 goals or less being scored.
Red-hot Red Devils on Form
United enter this match knowing a win would ensure them of the title barring a miraculous turn of events involving cricket score type results. However, don’t expect them to go for the jugular as avoiding defeat will leave them needing just 3 points from either West Ham at home or Wigan away to retain the Premier League trophy. Therefore, expect the United side to line-up in a similar fashion to the midweek Barcelona trip with plenty behind the ball and playing on the counter-attack. They have an almost fully-fit squad to choose from but may shuffle the pack with the return leg to come with the Catalan giants next week. Confidence is high amongst the squad after an unbeaten run of 10 matches in all competitions (7 wins). Defensively they are as solid as ever after keeping an impressive 9 clean-sheets in the last 13 matches (in all comps). The one worry is that Ronaldo’s impressive scoring run has halted after 2 games without a goal. After all, the Portuguese superstar has only banged in a miserly 38 goals (28 PL goals) this season. In fact, the Premier League’s best player has never scored against Chelsea in 11 encounters for United. Well if he doesn’t get a goal then Carlos Tevez might as the Argentinian has scored in his last 2 League appearances against the Blues.
Chelsea Chomping at United’s Ankles
Chelsea will be buoyed by their fortunate last gasp equaliser at Anfield this week which leaves them in pole position for a Champions League final place. If the Blues can win this weekend it would cap a superb week for under-fire Avram Grant. His side have been grinding out results of late the ‘Mourinho’ way and enter this match on the back of a 18-match unbeaten League run. In this time they’ve won 13 games and drawn 5. They’ve also kept 10 clean-sheets and scored in all but one of those matches (Liverpool at home). All their big guns are fit and available apart from Frank Lampard who is expected to be missing following a family bereavement. Despite grinding out results their main attacking threats Lampard and Drogba don’t enter this game in particularly impressive scoring form. The expected to be absent England midfielder has scored once in his last 7 appearances whilst the African man-mountain has failed to net in his last 4 starts. However, United may fear a goal-scoring threat from an unlikely source - Portuguese centre-half Ricardo Carvalho. The cynical defender has scored in his last 2 League appearances against the Red Devils. Sir Alex, you’ve been warned.
With so much riding on this match I expect it to be a tight cagey affair, to be fair most Chelsea games are. I personally cannot see United ending the home side’s incredible record at Stamford Bridge as I think they’ll be more than happy with a point. Chelsea are not the most expansive side and with Nemanja Vidic likely to stamp out Drogba’s aerial threat I think a low scoring draw is the most likely result for Premier 10 players to back this weekend. United are unbeaten against the Premier League top six this season (8 wins & 1 draw) and I expect that run to continue as the Red Devils gain an all-important point towards retaining the Premier League title.
Pundit’s Pick: All square between the big 2 at the Bridge (draw) Do you agree with this result for your Premier 10 prediction? Play Now>>
Tags: Blues, Chelsea, Manchester United, Premier 10 preview, Premier League, Red Devils
April 24th, 2008 at 11:21
i would take a draw though i would be immeasurably much more happy with a win as that would end the title race and then we could concentrate more on getting to the final against barcelona.