Chelsea v Manchester United

Taken from United's official website........

If United can earn three points at Stamford Bridge the Reds will all but secure the Barclays Premier League title...

Form guide: While Sir Alex's men haven't lost in the league since February, the Reds' last three league matches have yielded just five points from a possible nine. A come-from-behind win over Arsenal was sandwiched between draws at Middlesbrough and Blackburn, leaving United three points clear of Chelsea going into this fixture. Chelsea's recent league form has been marginally better, but it's the Blues' home form (80 league games without defeat) that's most worrying.

Ins and outs: Nemanja Vidic missed the game against Barcelona in midweek with a stomach bug and is doubtful for Saturday, while Louis Saha is also expected to sit out the clash with a hamstring injury. Chelsea's Frank Lampard is unlikely to play following the recent death of his mother.

Star men: With Vidic likely to be sitting out Saturday's clash, Rio Ferdinand's role in the heart of United's defence will be key. He'll need to keep Didier Drogba quiet, but it's midfielder Joe Cole who's the real creative heartbeat of Avram Grant's side. A skilful, speedy player, Cole can play on either wing and deliver dangerous balls into the box.

Massive game ,but i think United should be under less pressure than Chelsea.
Even if Chelsea win United would have to draw or loose one of the remainder if my calculation is right.

Feel sorry for Ronaldo a bit,because serious doubts will be raised about his actual ability after this game or they should, As he will be shut out of this game worse than the Barca game.Unless he get's given a penalty to take.Even though the boy is performing as well as I thought he would against the top boys ,he is actually impressing me with his ability to find a header on the crosses.The Boy definitely is a good player and his overall game is very good in terms of balance.
United need a big win here not a scraper ,but a convincing win to put fear into future opponents.

My prediction.
Chelsea 3 Man U 1.

A United win would be nice, to show Chelsea are beatable at Stamford Bridge. Would be a little boost.

I can see a draw though. United will be happy to play for that i think, trying to nick a goal on the counter-attack.

2-2

Lots of fun i predict

I don't think it'll be an open game with many goals. It'll be a lot tighter and ManU will be a bit defensive I think(Which they can afford IMO). Might be a 1 Goal win to any team, mostly Chelsea IMO.

I predict a 1-0 or 2-1 victory to Chelsea...

1-1 me thinks.

Im hoping for 2-0 but any win will do me fine.

I'm gonna go for 0-0. United will sit back and Chelsea won't have enough to break them down, but they'll be able to cope defensively with any counter-attacks.

Same as

I'll stick to the prediction I gave in the prediction thread, 2-1 to United.

I'd be more than happy with a draw though, absolutely.


Vidic is said to be fit and training so he may play but it isn't a big deal if he is rested for Tuesday.

Biggest game of the season for both teams tomorrow. Can't wait.

I can see the usual going on with regards to what we have come to expect from big four match ups with tight games and limited chances, even more so given what rides on it. I'd go with a 0-0 or perhaps a team to sneak a 1-0.

Its going to be close but without fat frank (feel sorry for him now) and his deflected goals i can see a tight draw or united pulling of a 1-0 with a beautiful dive from ronaldo.......then again if drogba is on top falling over form you never no

you cant half tell im a bitter git

I agree, Chelsea need a win so are under pressure to have a go at United in this game. It will suit Uniteds' pacey counter attacking play. I expect a typical EPL fast paced frantic league game.



I accept you hold a different opinion about Ronaldo to the rest of the footballing world, but his ability is beyond question and I believe he will win the 'World Player Of The Year' award for his very many talented performances this season. I think you might then have to accept that you may be wrong about him given the weight of opinion that obviously contradicts your own point of view. Top scorer in the EPL, top scorer in the Champions League. That record alone speaks for itself.



I'm not convinced by your prediction here Specnur......seems like a deliberate wind up. You have said all the pressure is on Chelsea, and talk about United needing a convincing win to put fear into Barca, and then predict a 3-1 win to Chelsea. No team has put 3 into Uniteds defence all season and it appears that the defence will be back at full strength for this game. Uniteds recent shut out of Barcelona, with ALL of their world class attacking players, emphasised the strength of Uniteds defence. I find it difficult to forsee Chelsea scoring 3 goals. I think the result will be close and could go either way depending on luck and refereeing decisions.

My prediction

Chelsea 0 Manchester United 1

There won't be many goals , but I'll go for 1- 0 Utd

Agreed.

I'm expecting United to sit back and soak up the pressure, and when Chelsea commit too many players forward in search of the winner they'll get sucker punched on the counter. Something like that anyway.

Let's go Chelsea!!!

1-0 Chelsea

GK: VDS

RB: Brown
CB: Ferdinand
CB: Vidic
LB: Silvestre

RM: Nani
CM: Fletcher
CM: Carrick
CM: Anderson
LM: Giggs

CF: Rooney

Subs: PIG, O'Shea, Hargreaves, Ronaldo, Tevez

GK: Cech

RB: Ferreira
CB: Carvalho
CB: Terry
LB: Cole

CM: Essien
CM: Ballack
CM: Mikel

RW: J.Cole
CF: Drogba
LW: Kalou

Subs: Hilario, Juliano Belletti, Claude Makelele, Andriy Shevchenko, Nicolas Anelka

I fancy Chelsea to steal it now.... I'll remain hopeful though.

i think it will still be a draw.

I think Chelsea might just nick it. 1-0 or 2-1 to Chelsea IMO...

Both teams will be looking for a result, and both teams are likely to defend in numbers. Ball to spend most of it's time in midfield, shots few and far between. Goals to come from unexpected sources. I'm gonna say 1-0 United, but could just as easily go Chel$ki's way. It certainly won't be a high-scoring affair.