Can Chelsea Take Advantage of a Frozen Man Utd-Blackpool Clash?

With United two points ahead of Chelsea and the following pack, one thing would have been on Fergie's mind coming into this week: Stay ahead of Chelsea and continue with their impressive performance continuing from last weekend.

United stumbled in mid-week, suffering at the hands of West Ham to a 4-0 defeat, thus seeing them exit from the Carling Cup.

A frozen pitch and lack of facilities to have the ice thawed out in time means the clash with Blackpool will have to wait. 

United have a tough and busy week ahead, with Valencia visiting Old Trafford on Tuesday evening, followed by a massive league tie at home to Arsenal, but it doesn't end there. The week thereafter, United will face Chelsea at the Bridge. 

So where and how will they fit in the Blackpool game? As usual, the December period is always jam-packed and with a few injuries, Ferguson won't mind been knocked out of the Carling Cup, although he would be disappointed having been hammered.

So United's postponement means Chelsea have an opportunity to regain top spot and put the pressure back on United.  Could they do it? Will they do it?

These answers and more will be made clear come the end of today at least...

Chelsea will face another tough test when they face Everton at Stanford Bridge. While many would have predicted differently a few weeks ago, Chelsea seem more likely to stumble than get a result.

But with the return of John Terry at the back, the Blues will undoubtedly give a stronger fight.

The title race this season seems to be more open with a lot more at stake, yet we see more draws and defeats at the top of the table than we have previously.

With the following pack seemingly increasing, the fight at the top is only getting stronger, it has become a survival game more than one of power or supremacy.

The likes of Manchester City, Spurs and Co. are growing in confidence and are starting to impact on the overall happenings both on the top and bottom of the log.

While the majority still continues to put emphasis on the so called "top four," the emerging teams will prove to be the difference come the end of the season.

In my opinion, a team like Spurs or even City have the potential to decide the winner as we move closer to April and May next year.

As for the present weekend, Arsenal will also look to pounce on the opportunity to overtake United, as they are currently equal in second position in terms of points and third on goal difference.

The Gunners will face Fulham at the Emirates, which will be a no-brainer for Wenger, a simple three points. Although, results in the last few weeks will hopefully ensure complacency doesn't become a factor in Arsenal's hope for a league title.

Birmingham will host Spurs in what could be a mouth-watering affair, as the City fans will be on high following their mid-week successes.

Spurs will look to continue their winning form, after coming back and beating both Arsenal and then Liverpool.

In what seems a jam-packed footballing weekend, many English fans are still reeling at the missed opportunity to host the World Cup.

Many feeling that the wait since 1966 is just too long, but take into consideration that fact that the Russians have been waiting since the invention of football or at least since the first World Cup in the 1930s.

While many might be disappointed and disheartened at the decision, let's wish the Russians the best of luck in preparing and hosting a successful event come 2018.

But for now, let's hope and pray that the fans and players shift their focus to the job at hand.