Manchester United Vs. Chelsea Preview

Manchester United are set to host their West London rivals Chelsea on Sunday in what is sure to be a match of potentially great consequence. Chelsea arrive to Old Trafford in a tremendous slump in the Premiership, while United have been grinding out boring 1-0 results in the league.

Rio Ferdinand is set to return from an injury he suffered in training at Stoke City over the holiday session. Patrice Evra will be playing in his first came after coming off of his four-match ban, which was a result of an altercation at Stamford Bridge last year. Cristiano Ronaldo will be in the starting lineup after having walked away from his wrecked Ferrari on Thursday.

Today, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez sounded off against Sir Alex Ferguson, and more specifically, his treatment of the refs and vice versa, as well as SAF's complaints about the fixture list during the beginning and middle of the season.

After claiming he wasn't "playing mind games" with the rant, I think United should use it as fuel to keep Liverpool from winning the league for the first time in the Premier League era.

Whether or not they can turn frustration or drive into goals is a completely different story. United come up against a stout Chelsea defense, but with Chelsea on the back foot, United must take full advantage and win this match.

"Big Phil" may feel little pressure to win, but he certainly wants to win the match, and with United scoring so few goals, he may have a chance at leaving the Northwest with three points.

I'd expect United to play Ferdinand and Vidic in the back, accompanied by Evra, and either Neville or Rafael on their flanks. Ronaldo will start on the right. I wouldn't be surprised to see Park on the left, and Fletcher and Carrick in the middle, with Rooney and Berbatov up top.

The intention would obviously be to break past the one-goal plateau. I don't think they'll do it.

United 1, Chelsea 0