Match Preview: United v Chelsea 18/09/2011
Match Preview – Manchester United v Chelsea Competition: Premier League Kick-Off & Date: 4pm, Sunday, 18th September 2011 Venue: Old Trafford, Manchester (Home) Live TV Coverage: Sky Sports 1 (HD), 3:30pm – 6:55pm Referee: Phil Dowd (Staffordshire, England) Assistants: Glenn Turner & Adam Watts Fourth Official: Peter Walton Form: United are in scintillating form in the Premier League at the moment, with four wins out of their opening four games. West Bromwich Albion, Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and most recently Bolton Wanderers all suffered at the hands of The Red Devils, who dropped their first points away to SL Benfica in the Champions League on Wednesday. Ryan Giggs managed to secure United a point in Portugal, in a hard fought game at night in Lisbon. Chelsea have recovered from last season’s late blip to win 3 out of their opening 4 League fixtures. Despite new manager Andre Villas-Boas drawing his opening game in charge against Stoke City, The Blues have won their last 4 matches in all competitions. A narrow midweek win at home to Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League was enough to boost Stamford Bridge before heading into the early-season Title Race showdown at Old Trafford. The Injury Front: United will be without Nemanja Vidic, Rafael, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck for another couple of weeks each, but there are no new problems following Wednesday’s trip to Portugal. Welbeck is backing in training, and is expected to play against Stoke City next weekend, but Sunday’s clash comes too early. The likes of David De Gea, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Young and Javier Hernandez should start after being rested against Benfica. Squad: De Gea, Lindegaard Evans, Evra, Fabio, Jones, Smalling, Ferdinand, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Giggs, Nani, Park, Valencia, Young, Berbatov, Hernandez, Owen, Rooney. Chelsea striker Didier Drogba will not be risked on Sunday, after he sustained a concussion in a collision with Norwich City goalkeeper John Ruddy three weeks ago. Ramires Santos returns after his European ban which he picked-up in Chelsea’s loss to United last season, while Henrique Hilario and Ross Turnbull make way to Petr Cech due to both being injured. David Luiz is fit again, while Fernando Torres may be dropped because of his dire form. Squad: Cech, Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Terry, Luiz, Alex, Cole, Mikel, Romeu, McEachran, Ramires, Lampard, Meireles, Mata, Malouda, Torres, Anelka, Sturridge, Kalou, Lukaku, Hilario, Turnbull.
The Gaffer: Andre Villas-Boas is the jumpy type (oh dear), but the 33-year-old has brought both the energy in youth and knowledge in experience to Stamford Bridge this term. The Portuguese hotshot comes off the back of a wonderful time with FC Porto, where he won a staggering 85% of his games in charge. But this is the Premier League ! Most-Feared: Juan Mata has already made a name for himself at Chelsea, playing three games and already scoring twice. In the same way Ashley Young has integrated at United, Mata brings a flank aspect to Chelsea’s attacking play that we never used to see with the Londoners. However, he is only one man – one winger. The Ref: Phil Dowd reffed United’s 2011 Community Shield triumph earlier this season, and it’s fair to say he didn’t do too badly. But the 48-year-old FA official has been involved in controversy with United before, and he is hardly the cream of the crop when it comes to fitness. As long as he doesn’t decide the game, we’ll survive… United Latest‘s Prediction: United 2-0 Chelsea – Wayne Rooney & Javier Hernandez ? ‘Like’ United Latest On Facebook CommentsAhiafor Enoch Sun, 18 Sep 2011 6:38:16 am Cant wait for the game to kick off. I believe strongly that united will outclass Chelsea. Chelsea beating us will either be pinned down to the referee harsh decisions or a costly mistake. We have always been on the receiving end due to the careless decisions by the likes of Phil Dowd. Nedster Sun, 18 Sep 2011 10:08:41 am May well be a refs game today have to wait and see Bill McNeal Sun, 18 Sep 2011 11:29:40 am 3-0. Rooney 2, and… Carrick. Mikeyy Sun, 18 Sep 2011 3:34:18 pm Tough game today..i fink our key players nani young get b hind da full backs chicas movement and class of rooney to win 2 0 cmon united!! Bren Sun, 18 Sep 2011 5:13:15 pm Ray Wilkins is a f**king disgrace talk about a bias piece of commentry this guy should not be allowed comment on any game involving Chelsea l33bo Sun, 18 Sep 2011 6:03:42 pm fuk off Chelsea. we’ve set the bar now need to keep going now n power past everyone Sid Sun, 18 Sep 2011 6:32:30 pm LoL @ Bill – you obviously Luuuurve Carrick. Hope you’re right for United’s sake, but somehow I doubt it! If anything I can see him play a part in conceding a goal. Utd smith Sun, 18 Sep 2011 7:01:41 pm Come on utd 20 Rus Sun, 18 Sep 2011 8:19:29 pm What’s a Matta you hey, why you look so sad hey, it’s a not so bad, it’s a nice a place aah shaddapaya your face…!!! Paynedog mufc Sun, 18 Sep 2011 9:23:36 pm Easy easy easy Dene Mon, 19 Sep 2011 12:18:25 am Of course Chelsea will lose 3-1 Michael United Mon, 19 Sep 2011 4:19:36 pm In the end it was 3-1 to us smalling,nani,Rooney,torres rooney missed a pen( sliped) torres skiled out de gea & missed an open net!!! Michael United Mon, 19 Sep 2011 4:21:40 pm Ps hernandez is injured): C-Fiss Mon, 19 Sep 2011 8:01:42 pm Hahhahahahhahahahahha. F@CK Chelsea! El winkle Mon, 19 Sep 2011 10:48:54 pm Great win but that Ashley cole tackle, shocking and the fa can’t do zip ( as if they would anyway). Hope Hernandez is gonna be ok Leave a Reply |