Chelsea v Manchester United
4:00pm
Sunday 28th October
I personally think the best thing about this fixture is the fact that John Terry will not be playing...The focus will not be about who will win,It wouldn't be about top two in the league clash ,it will be focused on handshakes before the game and if two men or in this case 3 men have addressed their differences and bla bla bla but having said all that,there is still the focus on the pre match handshake as people will look to see if Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand will shake hands before the game but regardless of all this pre match rituals,it is a mouth watering fixture with Chelsea unbeaten in the league this season against Manchester united whom this season believe in all or nothing,all or nothing being we either win or loose,no draws.....3 points or nothing.
Manchester will welcome back Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra back to the squad after they were rested for their midweek champions league match against Braga. Michael Carrick will be happy to have Rio back as it will hopefully put him in his preferred position.There are still defensive injury problems but United this season have been blessed with an attack and sends shivers to defenders,they are the premier league top scorers with 21 goals in 8 matches and Van Persie has scored 5 in his last 2 visits to Stamford bridge.But how many times can a strike force mask the fact that your defence are leaking goals.They have also conceded first in 8 of their 12 matches in league and cup games this season and this a tough place for United as they have not won at the bridge since April 2002.
Chelsea lost in their midweek game against Shakhter but putting that aside,they are unbeaten in the league and have found a midfield trio in Mata,Oscar and Hazard which provides platforms for different options in attacking the opposition.You might say Fernando Torres is not back to himself but the striker has scored 4 goals in the league this season and 4 goals in his last 7 matches against United and his time as a Liverpool player seems to be switched back on any time he plays United.In his last press conference,Roberto de Matteo said he hoped Rio Ferdinand will shake hands with Ashley Cole and the pair can move on as men and we have a game to look forward too..They might shake hands but both teams know that 3 points will be needed.If Chelsea wins,they go 7 points ahead of United maintaining their 100% home record and United wins,they maintain their pressure on the league leaders and opens a tighter race for the title amongst other teams.
This season has started with focus on racism and one way or the other players from both of these teams have been involved.John Terry's racial abuse on Antone Ferdinand (Rios brother), Ashley Cole backing terry and the twitter situation between Rio and Ashley that got Rio fined for his comments...The Ferdinand brothers refusing to wear the kick it out t-shirts,rumours that Rio wanting to form a black players union...its been a roller coaster ride I would say but all we hope for is a good game for 90 minutes (plus extra time),handshakes or not.
The clubs have met 40 times in the premier league : Chelsea lead by 13 wins to United's 12,with both teams scoring 53 times. Chelsea are in the only team in the premier league era with a positive win/loss record against Sir Alex side.i will definately be watching but for now..am hungry..and none of this guys i have mentioned will feed me so i talk to you guys soon..
In more words to come..Sabi Boi
I'm a United fan but dare I say that I don't see them taking 3 points. You can look menacing in attack but if you are weak in defense all your hard work comes undone. Well no reprieve in the form of new players in sight cos that ship as sailed. Fingers, toes and whatever else is possible, crossed. May the hungrier team win ;).
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