Chelsea v Manchester United 28.10.12 KO 4:00pm (Sky Sports 1)

thebison

Chelsea play Manchester United on Sunday as first meets second at Stamford Bridge for what could be a defining game in this seasons title race.

The Blues currently hold a four-point lead over United and victory would open the gap over Sir Alex Ferguson’s side to seven points. However, a win for the visitors would put them within a point of the early season pace-setters.

Chelsea go into the game off the back of Tuesday’s disappointing 2-1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League, while United had to come from 2-down to beat Braga 3-2 at Old Trafford.

United will hope to improve upon their recent record at Stamford Bridge having won just once in their previous 12 visits.

Team News
Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo will once again have to make do without captain John Terry as the defender continues to serve his four-game domestic ban.

Midfielder Frank Lampard will also miss the clash after being ruled out for around two weeks after aggravating a calf strain against Shakhtar in midweek.

Manchester United will be without Shinji Kagawa after the midfielder was ruled out for three to four weeks due with a knee injury.

Chris Smalling is back training but is likely to be on the bench at best this weekend. Phil Jones is also close to making a first team return and is due back in full training in around 10 days time.

Striker Javier Hernandez is pushing for a start after his match-winning performance against Braga but Fergie is expected to play Robin van Persie up front on his own with Wayne Rooney playing on the left and Antonia Valencia on the right.

Likely Line-ups

The holy trinity of Oscar, Hazard and Mata are taking the Premier League by storm, with our major concern being the enigma that is Fernando Torres.

Fancy to Chelsea to win this one 3-1 and put 7 points between ourselves and Manchester United.

Also, Hazard to show Fergie what he missed out on in the Summer transfer window

The_Kew_Tour

Fear we will get beat in this one. 4-2 Chelsea.

Prick!

I hate journalism talk.

"enigma" etc. :pac:

Anyways, think Chelsea will win also.

3-1 Chelsea.

Iang87

I just hope its open, just like always I hope united lose but if this is an open game it could be magic to watch

MUSEIST

I think utd will just nick this one, the greater fire power up front will make the difference IMO. Hope I'm wrong.

Red Crow

Chelsea will win but Scholes won't start.

Leiva

If Scholes starts I can't see UTD getting anything from the game.

double GG

EDIT: Wrong thread.

IncognitoMan

2-3 to United might have a cheeky bet on that

ScummyMan

If Giggs starts this I will have a break down.

SantryRed

Will be an awful game as United will come looking for the 0-0/0-1.

Will I Amnt

SantryRed wrote: »

Will be an awful game as United will come looking for the 0-0/0-1.

Our usual concession of an early goal should put that theory to bed quite quickly.

Mikeyt086

4-3.

or 3-4.

Just An Opinion

This has 5-4 either way written all over it, so first to 5 wins I'm going for! Hopefully United :-)

J. Marston

I'll make a bold prediction and say that United will concede yet again inside 15 minutes. Then eventually we'll get our shít together and maybe scrape a draw.

The_Kew_Tour

SantryRed wrote: »

Will be an awful game as United will come looking for the 0-0/0-1.

lol

You have not seen United much this season so.

Caveman1

As I said in the Chelsea thread, everyone is expecting loads of goals so it will no doubt end 0-0

I think an early goal is crucial to both sides as it will open the game up, I'm gonna go with 3-1 Chelsea. Hopefully Torres bags himself one or two

Copper_pipe

2-3 to united,

Will I Amnt

An extra hour to wait now
Why am I even up at this time? F**k off with your daylight saving bollox.

Drexel

cambo2008 wrote: »

An extra hour to wait now
Why am I even up at this time? F**k off with your daylight saving bollox.

I've been sitting here wondering why I'm awake so early! Forgot about DST

Anyways this has classic writen all over it. High scoring game with Chelsea to win by a goal

MagicMarker

SantryRed wrote: »

Will be an awful game as United will come looking for the 0-0/0-1.

Barr

Amazing game last year :eek:

Chelsea should win this but their away game in Ukraine during the week won't help matters.

bullvine

If Fergie picks the team that beat Newcastle, I think they'll win.

double GG

Oh just be 4 o clock already!

Crann na Beatha

This post has been deleted.

RayCon

1-1

SantryRed

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

lol

You have not seen United much this season so.

I don't think seeing them much this season has anything to do with it. Ferguson won't come to Stamford Bridge, 4 points behind, early on in the season, and go for it.

The_Kew_Tour

SantryRed wrote: »

I don't think seeing them much this season has anything to do with it. Ferguson won't come to Stamford Bridge, 4 points behind, early on in the season, and go for it.

Still, to think United will set out to play for 0-0 draw the way United have been conceding goals is still madness.

dahat

SantryRed wrote: »

I don't think seeing them much this season has anything to do with it. Ferguson won't come to Stamford Bridge, 4 points behind, early on in the season, and go for it.

Our defence is sh1te,we have no other way these days!

I personally see it ending up 3-2 either way......

Leiva

I am really interested to see what team/formation Ferguson goes with.

Will he be brave or reserved?

dahat

Leiva wrote: »

I am really interested to see what team/formation Ferguson goes with.

Will he be brave or reserved?

Hopefully Giggs will be left out..........

ROCKMAN

OK just for a bit of crack myself and the chelsea mate I'll be watching the game with have a little side bet on the game ,loser is waxing their legs for charity/youth group we work with ,,
So come on UTD (or a draw )

2-1 Utd..hopefully...

Mr.Crinklewood

ROCKMAN wrote: »

OK just for a bit of crack myself and the chelsea mate I'll be watching the game with have a little side bet on the game ,loser is waxing their legs for charity/youth group we work with ,,
So come on UTD (or a draw )

2-1 Utd..hopefully...

..should get the winner to do the waxing...

double GG

dahat wrote: »

Hopefully Giggs will be left out..........

Or out left?

SantryRed

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Still, to think United will set out to play for 0-0 draw the way United have been conceding goals is still madness.

He did it against Liverpool

The_Kew_Tour

SantryRed wrote: »

He did it against Liverpool

No. No he did not. Please just stop.

SantryRed

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

No. No he did not. Please just stop.

Yes he did,

He went 4-5-1/4-4-1-1 and was afraid to have a go. Which is why Liverpool dominated the game for the most part.

dahat

double GG wrote: »

Or out left?

Left out is fine.......

The_Kew_Tour

SantryRed wrote: »

Yes he did,

He went 4-5-1/4-4-1-1 and was afraid to have a go. Which is why Liverpool dominated the game for the most part.

lol

playing a 4-5-1 does not mean you play for 0-0 draw.

If that was case Ferguson plays for 0-0 in about 30-40% of his matches.

Valencia, Kagawa, Nani, Van Persie all started that game

Johner

The likes of Reading, Norwich and Stoke have come to the Bridge and created lots of chances. With the attack United have I'm very worried! Can see the same scoreline as last season. Not at all confident about this mainly because of our defence.

Rayne Wooney

SantryRed wrote: »

Yes he did,

He went 4-5-1/4-4-1-1 and was afraid to have a go. Which is why Liverpool dominated the game for the most part.

No he didn't. Saying Fergie went to that game playing for a draw is laughable.

Liverpool did dominate for the first half, but that has happened in nearly every game for United this season. The other team dominates the first half and gets a goal, then United start playing in the second half or even in injury time.

But saying he went to draw the game is wrong. Did he go for a draw at home to Newcastle? Newcastle dominated most of that game as well

SantryRed

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

lol

playing a 4-5-1 does not mean you play for 0-0 draw.

If that was case Ferguson plays for 0-0 in about 30-40% of his matches.

Valencia, Kagawa, Nani, Van Persie all started that game

It was still more defensive than other games they've played. They were owned in that game too.

Will I Amnt

SantryRed wrote: »

Yes he did,

He went 4-5-1/4-4-1-1 and was afraid to have a go. Which is why Liverpool dominated the game for the most part.

Starting Giggs and Carrick in the middle would have been the main reason Liverpool dominated.

The_Kew_Tour

SantryRed wrote: »

It was still more defensive than other games they've played. They were owned in that game too.

We have been owned against worse teams on paper then Liverpool.

Playing defensive to keep things nice and tight is one thing. Playing for 0-0 is totally different.

Will leave it there.

Johner

There is no way Giggs will start will he?

I would be delighted if he did!

The_Kew_Tour

Johner wrote: »

There is no way Giggs will start will he?

I would be delighted if he did!

Honestly its 50/50 I say

Mr.Crinklewood

Worried by this match, to date United have been punished severely by he two decent teams we have played. Other teams have also caused us problems.

Chelsea are a level above again.

niallo27

Chelsea to score first at 5/6 looks like a decent bet.

The_Kew_Tour

niallo27 wrote: »

Chelsea to score first at 5/6 looks like a decent bet.

Had one bet that let me down yesterday, but you will get much worse bets then that.

Dont blame me though if United score first;)

The_Kew_Tour

Mr.Crinklewood wrote: »

Worried by this match, to date United have been punished severely by he two decent teams we have played. Other teams have also caused us problems.

Chelsea are a level above again.

Ya agree.

The only hope I have is that Chelsea played away and lost during the week.

We could nick it, but on form Chelsea will win.

niallo27

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Had one bet that let me down yesterday, but you will get much worse bets then that.

Dont blame me though if United score first;)

Everyone scores first against utd lately it would seem, there is money to be made backing them when they go one nil down. Ill wait till chelsea take the lead and then back the draw.