Manchester United vs. Chelsea: Predicting the Starting XI for the Blues

Chelsea travels up to Old Trafford this Sunday for the biggest game in Andre Villas-Boas’ short tenure in charge at Stamford Bridge. The Portuguese man has his side playing better and better from game to game leading up to this matchup.

Going into the season this was the first game many had circled on their schedule. It is the first that pits two real contenders for the title against one another, and both teams have lived up to expectations thus far. Chelsea are currently two points behind United for the top of the table and riding a wave of good form over the past few weeks. United has been the best team of this early part of the season, winning all 12 points in their first four games.

The past seven league titles have gone to either Chelsea or United, and this year there is a good chance that one of them could walk away with it again. This makes this game an early opportunity to get both a point advantage as well as a psychological foothold.

Here are my predictions for the starting XI for Chelsea in that match.

GK: Petr Cech

The easiest decision any Chelsea manager has ever had to make in the last eight seasons was who to play in goal. Cech has been one of the most indomitable forces in football for years, making his presence in the net legendary.

His consistency has elevated him to one of the all-time greats as no shot is ever certain to be goal-bound against him. He frustrates forwards who work hard to beat their defenders only to find their best efforts on goal calmly parried away.

He always plays well against the Red Devils even in Chelsea’s losses. It is certain United will have their fair share of scoring opportunities. But it is also certain that Cech will be there to make them as difficult as possible.

RB: Branislav Ivanovic

Jose Bosingwa has been the go-to RB for most of the season. His goal and assist thus far has proven that he has found a new life under Villas-Boas. However, his defensive presence has been somewhat questionable.

With United proving to be one of the most formidable attacks in not only the league, but the world, it is unwise to put anything but the very best defense Chelsea has to offer. That would have Ivanovic preferred over Bosingwa in this contest.

Ivanovic’s defensive skills made him one of the best right backs in the league last season. Under Villas-Boas however, he has ceded his spot for the more attack-minded Bosingwa. That defense will be more important to quell the incredible skill of the United midfield.

Ashley Young is currently challenging for players of the year as he destroy defenses with his wing play. Ivanovoc will have his hands full in trying to stop him, but he is also the best defender Young has faced all season. If Ivanovic is able to stop Young, it will help Chelsea’s chances of taking points from this game immensely.

CB: John Terry

Villas-Boas gave Terry the day off on Tuesday in Chelsea’s Champions League opener versus Leverkusen. At the age of 30 and as the heart of the club, he will need that extra rest to give the Blues their best chance of winning on Sunday.

Some have begun to argue that Terry’s legs are getting too old and he is no longer able to keep up with speedy forwards like Chicharito. Whether this is true or not matters little, as his pure presence on the field brings a different aura to the squad. He is the only consistent player who is a product of the Chelsea youth academy and understands what it means and takes to beat Manchester United.

Often with Terry, the most hindering thing can be tired legs. But with over a week of rest, he should be at peak fitness to be able to command that back line and stop this high-energy United attack.

CB: Alex

Alex started off the season as the chosen center back partly due to an injury for David Luiz, but he quickly played two solid games. Then in the match against Norwich he made two goofs, one that cost them a goal. Since then he has not started, but that decision may be more strategic than anything.

He is in the latter half of his career, and rest is sometimes the best fitness training he can have. He came on to replace Luiz in the Leverkusen match and played a very solid 15 minutes.

The question is, does Villas-Boas want to gamble and go with Luiz’s offensive threat, or play it safe and keep the sure defensive force?

Alex has the ability to go forward but often holds up, preferring to protect his goal first. Going into Old Trafford the worst thing you can do is give up a quick counterattack goal. Alex is the sure way to prevent that as he is one of the best positional defenders in the league. For that reason he should get the start. A 0-0 draw is not ideal, but would be welcomed at this stage in the season.

LB: Ashley Cole

One of the few constants at Chelsea over the past half decade of seasons has been the play of Cole.  He has been the best left back in the league for some time now because of his consistent defensive play and ability to get forward into the attack.

Like Terry and Cech, he has been the backbone of this Chelsea defense and largely influenced the results, positive or negative against United. At age 30 he seems to defy logic by playing in over 40 games in every season for the Blues except one. With no reasonable backup he will probably see that many again.

Despite this he always steps up in the biggest games. That alone has made him one of the greats of the game. He will have to continue that trend on Sunday playing against the indomitable Nani. He must be able to close down the winger in a way no one has thus far if Chelsea have any chance of winning.

CM: Ramires

The biggest surprise of this season has been the elevated play of Ramires. After a so-so start last year he has developed into a top-class versatile holding midfielder.

In the first four games this season, he has been the most electric and influential player on the field. He is all over the pitch, winning 50/50 balls and slowing down opponents’ counters. He has yet to get a man of the match award, but should for the many intangibles he brings with his energy.

United will be his first big test of this season. With Essien not there to support him, he will have to be the man who stops Wayne Rooney. Never an easy thing, Mikel found that out the hard way last year in the return match. Rooney ran Mikel ragged all over the field and had an answer to every defense he threw at him.

This time around Ramires’ pace should be enough to throw Rooney off his game. Tight marking and hard challenges will keep Rooney honest and not allow him to get that room he exploits better than anyone else in the game. Stop Rooney, you stop United. Ramires can tip the balance in Chelsea’s favor more than any other single player.

CM: Raul Meireles

Chelsea’s transfer deadline signing has already proven his worth. In his two appearances he has been an influential player through his ability to hold the ball and play it up to the attack. He was bought for his vision and passing, and has shown both already registering an assist.

What he has done for Chelsea more than anything is created room for the players around him. Frank Lampard wasn’t not getting the 4-3-3 formation, as he was hindered by being the only passer in the midfield. Defenders closed down quickly on him not allowing him the time to make that inch-perfect pass. Meireles is another passer that the defense has to respect. Both can’t be covered simultaneously making one or the other always a threat.

Meireles is another guy who steps up in big games. He has even scored against Chelsea in two separate occasions and for two separate teams. His leadership will be needed just as much as his skill on Sunday.

CAM: Frank Lampard

Lampard is one of the best midfielders in the history of the game. Few have been as much of an offensive threat as the Englishman, as his ability to find space between the back line and midfield has seen him score over 170 goals. He has also notched another 110 assists.

Some have questioned the abilities of their beloved vice captain. He has slowed down over the years and lost the stamina that made him a threat for the entire 90 minutes. Villas-Boas’ decision to rest him against Leverkusen suggests that he still needs the legend to be well rested for the biggest matches.

Lampard has always been involved in Chelsea’s biggest games. He may not have the same energy he had in his youth, but he still is one of the best suppliers of the ball in the game. He has created more opportunities than any other player in the league this season.

United will field a relatively young back line. A smart veteran player like Lampard is ideally suited to pick apart at the youngsters' mistakes. Expect him to not only play, but if he has a good game, Chelsea should get themselves a shock win.

LW: Juan Mata

With all the big budget transfers taking place at Manchester City, Chelsea’s move for Mata was somewhat muted. He was Villas-Boas’ most expensive signing as the Chelsea boss and was the first expected to have an immediate impact on the team. And an impact he has had.

His two goals and assist in only three games has already begun to pay off his fee and his game-changing play has shown that he will be Chelsea’s playmaker of the future. His arrival marked the true beginning of the Villas-Boas era as he is the winger that the Portuguese boss needed to deploy his 4-3-3 attack.

Chelsea have played better every game but when Mata arrived, they finally looked like the cohesive unit fans thought they would. Sunday will be the Spaniard’s biggest test of his young Chelsea career.

He faced Manchester United last season in the Champions League group stage, but the atmosphere on Sunday will be much more hostile than that. Should he rise to the occasion in his first big game in the blue, he will become a hero at Stamford Bridge.

RW: Nicolas Anelka

The right wing has been a spot of much anxiety for Villas-Boas. Without a natural winger he has rotated between Salomon Kalou, Anelka and Daniel Sturridge, once the latter's suspension was over. Kalou did not prove himself in his first two starts and has not moved off the bench since. Anelka has been commendable, but lacks the pace Villas-Boas wants. Sturridge has been great in his appearances, but his inexperience shows.

Anelka has been with the club for five seasons now, playing in a variety of positions. His wing play is not the best, but is effective as he is good with the ball at his feet and has the eye for the goal Villas-Boas wants out of his wingers.

He also will be going against a very veteran and intelligent right back in Patrice Evra. The two were teammates in France and know each other well. Anelka should have the advantage as an offensive player as Evra will have to react to him.

But Anelka could get the start on experience alone. It is something different to play in these kinds of games. It requires a mentality that can only be gained through experience. Sturridge may be better suited on the bench and coming on as a high-energy sub to shake things up should they need a goal.

In truth though either could start and it would be hard to argue otherwise.

CF: Fernando Torres

One goal in 23 games is still not enough for the £50 million dollar striker. However, Tuesday night against Leverkusen, he began to show signs that he may be able to turn it around. Two solid assists helped them to the top of their group table and brought around some critics to being a little more lenient on him.

His history against United has been a very positive one. Most Chelsea fans see him as the stagnant unproductive player running around to no avail in last year’s crucial return leg against the Red Devils. However, when he was at Liverpool, he was one of the most problematic forwards for that back line that they ever faced. His speed and timing embarrassed the likes of Vidic and Ferdinand. For whatever reason, he seems to have their number.

Villas-Boas has not given up on Torres yet. He has stuck behind his striker in the press and on the field. He has brought in players like Mata and used Sturridge to support his style of play. With Drogba officially ruled out due to his concussion two weeks ago against Norwich, Torres is really the only option Villas-Boas has.

The great (and hard) thing about sports is that fans often have short memories. If Torres gets a goal in a Chelsea win over much-hated Manchester United, he will instantly earn back the respect of the entire Chelsea nation. It is not necessarily a make it or break it game for the 27-year-old, but it has all the fixings to be a stage for him to rise to greatness.

Bench

Hilario: You cannot ask for a better backup.

Florent Malouda: His experience could be used late, especially if they want to hold a lead or draw.

Oriol Romeu: The biggest stage of this young man’s life may be too much for him to see any playing time.

Josh McEachran: Yet to get on the field, he may actually find a chance in this game. He has experience playing with many of the United youth.

Jose Bosingwa: If Chelsea should fall behind, there is little doubt he would not make an appearance to try and bring them back in it.

David Luiz: Another player that could be thrown on in case they need a late goal

Daniel Sturridge: He could very well feature in this match. If he does not start his substitution could be the answer to breaking up a tough United defense.

What Do You Think?

Who do you think will line up Sunday at Old Trafford?