The upcoming weekend is an important one for Manchester United as they take on league leaders Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The Red Devils have experienced a difficult start to the season, winning just once and only finding the net on three occasions so far.
Chelsea, meanwhile, have gotten their season off to a flyer under new manager Luiz Felipe Scolari. The Stamford Bridge outfit has already scored 13 goals this season and has won four out of their first five games.
The Champions League runners-up from last season will be confident of piling more misery on the reigning European and English Champions this weekend, especially considering they haven’t lost at home in an incredible 87 matches.
Manchester United lost at Stamford Brigde on their last visit when Michael Ballack’s brace gave Chelsea a 2-1 win. The German captain, who should be fit to play after recovering from an ankle injury, is confident his side will heap even more pressure on United on Sunday.
“It's a big chance for us to make a gap," Ballack said. "It's never easy when you are always behind and you have to close the gap from nine to six points, and you are playing a day after your rivals. We dealt with that and maybe we can reverse it this season."
Chelsea will go nine points clear if they win this weekend and Sir Alex Ferguson will certainly hope to avoid going behind by such a margin this early in the season.
"It's always a big game when the top sides meet and that's why I'm disappointed about last Saturday," Ferguson said. "I'm sure we won't be giving goals away in the way we did last Saturday. I'm sure of that."
Cristiano Ronaldo made his first appearance of the season on Wednesday night during Manchester United’s Champions League opener against Villareal. It remains to be seen if Ronaldo will be included in Ferguson’s starting 11, but the Portuguese ace will certainly play some part against his former International team coach.
United fans will be hoping to see Ronaldo start after he reminded his team of what they have been missing in recent weeks during his substitute appearance on Wednesday night. After a lengthy lay-off the Portuguese winger looked as dangerous as ever and came close to winning the match for the European Champions.
Nemanja Vidic is suspended following his dismissal at Anfield last weekend and Johny Evans looks set to fill in for the Serbian defender following a solid performance in United’s 0-0 draw against Villareal. John Terry will also be available to captain his side this weekend, following the rescinding of his red card against Manchester City last weekend.
After making his Manchester United debut last weekend against Liverpool, Dimitar Berbatov sat out of United’s opening Champions League match due to a minor knee injury. But the Bulgarian appears to have recovered in time for the trip to London, and it will be interesting to see where Carlos Tevez and Wayne Rooney play against Chelsea.
In truth, Manchester United are facing a massive obstacle this weekend when they travel to Stamford Bridge. Sir Alex Ferguson is without some of his key players and his team have yet to really click into gear this season.
Meanwhile their main title rivals are playing well and getting the right results and will be licking their lips at the prospect of going nine points clear of United at such an early stage.
23 comments Last one added 9 months ago — Leave a Comment
Ricky O'Neal 9 months ago
An away win here wil be desireable but Chelsea are the last team in this league that is going to roll over so we can pick up another three points in our bid to retain the title. I would expect to be pleased with a draw to be honest although a win will go along way to restoring a lot of confidence.
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Jon Marum 9 months ago
Expect a draw, but expect a United performance too. No way will they play as poorly as they have done in the last two games. Personally, I'd take a point right now if it was offered to me... but then again don't be surprised if Unite nick this one by he odd goal. It'll be tense, thats for sure!
Nice preview!
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Salomon Gonzales 9 months ago
I am quitely worried about this game. Its never god to play United when they are on this sort of form. I just dont know which United wil turn up so its impossible for me to predict an outcome...
Either way, it'll hopefully live up to its billing again ...
Im gonna put my kneck on the line and predict the score....
Chelsea 0-1 Manchester United ..
United to break the seemingly unbreakable record of ours....
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Jon Marum 9 months ago
I know what you're gettin at Salomon, we cud quite easily get rolled over by you lot, but then maybe this is exactly the kind of game we need- one where you HAVE to concentrate 100% for 90 mins. Its gonna be a battle thats for sure.
I'm incredibly nervous for this game tho... more than usual.
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Salomon Gonzales 9 months ago
If both teams play to their maximum potential, I am confident Chelsea can beat United. But not knowing which United will turn is big problem for us.. Chelsea/United games are usually divided into two halves, where each side domintes one half. Could see that happening again ..
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Jeff Harbert 9 months ago
I thought United were destined to break Chelsea's unbeaten home record last time they met... but I was def. wrong about that cause Chelsea won 2-1.
I remember at the beginning of the 2005/06 season when United were in bad form too. They had lost to Blackburn and then either drawn or lost to Lille. People were even asking for Fergie to be sacked, which was ridiculous. But then United beat Chelsea 1-0 courtesy of a rare Darren Fletcher goal from a Ronaldo cross. But that was Old Trafford.
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Jon Marum 9 months ago
Rare Darren Fletcher goal? C'mon Jeff, he's top scorer this season! lol
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Anon Payn 9 months ago
lol! i swear!
whats all the fuss about Ronaldo, i fail to understand!
Fergie is obviously off his rocker! GET FLETCH IN THERE U SCOT!
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mark andrew 9 months ago
Well well well ................... Last time i said 2 - 1 to united vs liverpool , we got beat 2 - 1 , i said 2 - 1 to united vs zenit , we got beat 2- 1 , so im going to try a bit of reverse pshchology on myself and say 3 - 2 Chelsea ( you all know what i want right ) , lets see if it does the opposite of wat i say this time , please yes :0) .
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Salaar Arshad Shamsi 9 months ago
I love the way you think Mark!
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mark andrew 9 months ago
lol , well i cant have us being beaten all the time from my predictions , or maybe were just a bit s**t ha ha , thankfully we didnt get beat so in a way it kind of worked eh
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Jeff Harbert 9 months ago
Haha it was a rare goal for Fletcher back then! But he's United's top scorer now. Hopefully he won't be after this weekend though...
I'm looking forward to seeing how Johny Evans does against the likes of Anelka and Drogba.
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Dev Ashish 9 months ago
mark...i surely dont doubt ur reverse psychology...but this game isnt going to be a goal fare exactly ... two goals atmost... one from Ronaldo obviously and another rare one from Fletcher ! lol
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Thomas 9 months ago
Simple answer, yes. yes we will. Let's sit back and enjoy.
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Jeff Harbert 9 months ago
You know what's interesting... the goals were not coming at all at the beginning of last season. Ronaldo was out suspended too and this is about the same time he came back from that and started scoring on a consistent basis and from then on the goals started coming from other players as well. There's no reason for United fans to worry... the goals will come and then they will hit top form.
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Alan McGuinness 9 months ago
Nice preview Jeff. I don't think Man Utd will play as bad as they did against Liverpool on Sunday, they can only improve really. Ferguson's problem will be finding a system to accomodate all of that attacking talent.
My prediction is 2-1 Chelsea.
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Andrew McNair 9 months ago
I can't see United winning. United would have to be delighted with a point.
Chelsea look too good on current form but anything can happen.
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Salaar Arshad Shamsi 9 months ago
Brilliant preview, Jeff. 1-1 for me! Can United steal it? Chelsea still favourites though.
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Jeff Harbert 9 months ago
Thanks Alan and Salaar. For once I don't even know what to predict. I would have to agree with Solomon though. So often when these two teams play one team dominates one half and the other dominates the other. United to dominate the first, but Chelsea to rule the 2nd... that's usually the way it seems to happen. Stamford Bridge is surely the hardest place to get a win at.
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Yoosof Farah 9 months ago
It should be a good game on Sunday. Hopefully United will win but I doubt it will happen. Like most United supporters, I would take a draw. I don't see us winning, and I think a draw is a good result.
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Jeff Harbert 9 months ago
You never know, United might surprise you. It will be extremely difficult but I wouldn't rule it out.
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micshell cristerfort 9 months ago
aahh though man-united is not in its full swing but still i guess they r better off to break chelsea......i think they can win......or i must say they will win.........
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Nathan Lowe 9 months ago
I don't think Sir Alex needs any more encouragement to start the young scot, Fletcher, in favor of other options. He's done as much for the last 5 years as other young products of the United youth and reserve systems were ultimately discarded in Fletcher's favor. Perhaps this is the year he becomes deserving of the favoritism, as recent mature performances suggest!
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