Weather permitting, it`s the clash of the big two tomorrow afternoon when, live on Sky Sports, Chelsea entertain Manchester United. Normally this would be a top-of-the-table clash but whilst United may, once again, be contesting the title, we`ve fallen off of the pace. Nevertheless, it still remains an intriguing battle and one the nation awaits with great interest.
Despite losing 3-1, many a Chelsea supporter considers the performance up at Old Trafford as one of our better this season. Unfortunately, since then, things have sort of slipped away, something that Andre Villas-Boas was keen to discuss in his pre-match press conference, remarking about whether we are a better side now than then,
"Not really. The start of the season was our best sequence of results and best football. We were solid, creative and positive."
"The tipping point was at QPR where (if we`d won) we could have gone second, three points behind the leader. But we lost and ended up six behind."
"Straight after that, losing 5-3 to Arsenal and going the nine points behind was what catapulted the situation."
Being able to recognise the problem as opposed to fixing it seem too be two different traits!
Andre Villas Boas has some selection problems ahead of this fixture. Ashley Cole is suspended so will need replacing whilst John Terry will miss the next two games, at least, due to a knee problem. With Ramires also out and with Frank Lampard unlikely to be fit, some serious thought might have to be given as to what side to send out to face Sir Alex title chasing team.
Here at Vital Chelsea we`d like to see the following eleven start::
Cech, Ivanovic, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand, Romeu, Essien, Meireles, Mata, Torres, Sturridge.
In the reciprocating fixture the Spaniard scored a blinder and missed an absolute sitter, could Sunday see the Spaniard end a goal drought that has now exceeded 1000 minutes of action?
If we thought our injury situation was trying then perhaps we should take a look at how Sir Alex has coped with a far worse situation at United. Out long term are Nemanja Vidic and Darren Fletcher whilst the likes of Ashley Young, Phil Jones, Michael Owen, Wayne Rooney, David de Gea and Nani have all been struggling recently.
But just as you`d expect when our name crops up, it is expected that Rooney, De Gea and Young may all be fit for this fixture.
Back in the side courtesy of an injury to Ashley Young, Valencia is the unsung hero of the Old Trafford outfit. If allowed to, he`ll torment us down the flanks, one that we`ll need to keep a tight grip on.
Chelsea lost the reciprocating fixture, at Old Trafford 3-1 but, although the form hasn`t been good, enter this fixture unbeaten in 2012 with four wins and two draws to their name.
Also, at Stamford Bridge their form against Manchester United, in recent season`s has seen them not beaten by the current Premier League title holders for almost ten years, with a record of six wins and three draws in nine games.
However, it`s only fair to point out that United won on their last visit to Stamford Bridge, with that fixture being a Champions League Quarter-Final last April.
Howard Webb, often referred to as United`s 12th man, will be the geezer with the whistle!
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