Chelsea v Manchester United Preview

Tomorrow's massive match between Chelsea and United is being called the 'title decider'. If United win tomorrow the title is all but ours, it wont officially be ours but Chelsea would have to score loads of goals in the last two games with United scoring none. If United and Chelsea draw tomorrow then United would still be three points ahead of Chelsea with a massive goal difference. If Chelsea win tomorrow then they will be level on points with us but we would be ahead on goal difference only.

Chelsea
Squad: Cech, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Alex, Carvalho, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, Essien, Makelele, Mikel, Wright-Phillips, J Cole, Malouda, Shevchenko, Drogba, Kalou, Anelka, Sidwell, Pizarro.
Injuries: Cudicini is still injured.
Lampard: Sadly Frank Lampard's mum died on thursday from Pneumonia. My sympathies are with him and his family. There is a chance Lampard may play but Grant has said that is entirely upto him.
Grant said: "I think he will not play.
"Football is very important, but there are things that are more important."
"Frank is a professional with full commitment to the team."
"We are a close family here at Chelsea and all our sympathies are with him and his family.
"We just want to make sure that, when Frank comes back, we will still be fighting (for the Premier and Champions League titles).
Milestones: Grants first match was against United (which we won 2-0) and this will be Grant's 50th match for Chelsea.
John Terry will be making his 350th appearance for Chelsea.
Ricardo Carvalho will be making his 100th Premier League appearance in Chelsea colours.
Last 3 Premier League games:
Manchester United (h)
Newcastle (a)
Bolton (h)
Form: DWDWW
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Everton 0-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-1 Wigan
Chelsea 2-0 Fenerbahce
Manchester City 0-2 Chelsea
Avram Grant: "We don't want them to take the title here, or to become champions at all,"
"We are happy that we're still in the race for the championship," said Grant. "The players are highly motivated.
"We are at home and we want to win. We did what we needed to do in Liverpool. It was a Champions League semi-final away from home at Anfield.
"We did what we needed to do. The game was good for us. United also played away from home on Wednesday, but this game will not be the same.
"They are a proud team and in first place, and they will come to Stamford Bridge knowing that we're still in the fight.
"But we are a team that's come from fifth to second place, showed a lot of spirit and mounted a good recovery from a sometimes difficult situation.
"It is difficult to beat us and we have shown a lot. The pressure's good. I hope I have weeks like this all my life. It's an exciting week. We've worked hard to come to this situation. We want to enjoy it now."
Cech:
"Every game now is like a final,"
"Personally, I play football to play in the big games and this is an exciting time for everyone.
"The Premier League is getting towards the end and after Saturday we can be neck and neck with Man United.
"Of course, United score the most goals in the league - they have got the attacking threat - but we have got a pretty good record at Stamford Bridge, so we hope to keep that going.
"I always like playing against United, with their top players - you know you will have some work to do. When you keep a clean sheet against such an attacking team it is great."

Manchester United
Squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Foster, Brown, Neville, Hargreaves, Ferdinand, Vidic, Pique, Silvestre, Evra, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Anderson, Nani, Park, Giggs, Rooney, Tevez.
Injuries: Good News: Nemanja Vidic took part in training today and is expected to play tomorrow. Saha is still out.
Milestones: John O'Shea will be making his 200th career league appearance (Manchester United and Bournemouth).
If starting Gary Neville will be making his 350th Premier League start for Manchester United.
If starting Chris Eagles will be making his 50th club league start (Manchester United, Watford and Sheffield Wednesday).
Last 3 Premier League games:
Chelsea (a)
West Ham (h)
Wigan (a)
Form: DDWWD
Barcelona 0-0 Manchester United
Blackburn 1-1 Manchester United
Manchester United 2-1 Arsenal
Manchester United 1-0 Roma
Middlesbrough 2-2 Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson: "There is a great incentive for us,"
"What we have to do first is get the players recovered from Barcelona. Hopefully we will be all right,"
"We have the disadvantage of a day's less rest than Chelsea and then there is the travelling of course.
"The game takes care of itself in terms of focus, we just have to make sure we are properly rested and prepared.
"We also have to recover our passing ability because it was an area that let us down against Barca.
"It was surprising because normally we are very good at that part of our game. But I am sure we will get it back on Saturday."
"As far as the second leg is concerned, there is no doubt Chelsea's morale will have been boosted,"
"It was a great result for them, particularly the time of their equaliser. They have a marvellous chance of getting to Moscow after that game."
Cristiano Ronaldo: "It will be a tough game, but we have a great chance as the team is very confident," he said.
"We do not want to drop any points at Chelsea, so it is important we go for the victory."

2 Responses so far.

  1. Anonymous says:

    Great result for those that don't like Man Utd and support Chelsea. Best result for the neutrals as this result keeps the title race going in to the last day of the season.

  2. Shuggo says:

    Hi antimanu, It is a fantastic result for those who dont like United. However much it hurts to say but we honestly didnt deserve anything. Chelsea still have to go to Newcastle and Bolton (who are still fighting for their lives). We still have to play West Ham and Wigan and we can drop points. The title race is far from over but i still think it will be coming to Old Trafford. Thanx for you comment.

    Match Preview will be coming later.

Leave a Reply