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Match preview - Chelsea vs. Manchester United - Clash of the titans
The season’s fourth meeting between ‘big four’ clubs takes place on Sunday afternoon and, unsurprisingly, it’s a six-pointer. In recent seasons Chelsea and Manchester United have been the Premier League’s prominent two. They’ve made a habit of passing first and second place between themselves with Liverpool’s runner-up position last season the first time the two clubs have been separated since 2005. United were on top in last season’s head-to-heads as the clubs drew 1-1 at Stamford Bridge in September, and the Red Devils won 3-0 at Old Trafford in January. United boss Sir Alex Ferguson last enjoyed a victory at Chelsea in April 2002, when his side strolled home 3-0. Chelsea have won four out of seven home league games since. The Blues’ biggest Premier League win against United came in October 1999, when they infamously hammered the then-European Champions 5-0. Chelsea have won 10 out of 34 Premier League meetings with their rivals.
Chelsea - Carlo Ancelotti’s team can pull away at the top of the Premier League with a win on Sunday. Stamford Bridge is again a fortress - Chelsea have a 100% home record this campaign and haven’t conceded at home since the opening day of the season, some thirteen hours of football ago - and the Blues have scored 19 in their last five games. Ancellotti will, however, be aware of parallels with last season - Phil Scolari also made a spectacular start as Chelsea boss, but a home defeat to a top four rival at a similar stage of last season - the 1-0 loss to Liverpool - was the point at which Scolari’s reign began to unravel. As for the team news - Branislav Ivanovic is likely to play at right-back, and Joe Cole may start again after coming back in the last home game, the comfortable 5-0 win over Blackburn Rovers.
1 Cech
2 Ivanovic - 6 Carlvalho - 26 Terry - 3 A. Cole
5 Essien
13 Ballack - 8 Lampard
10 J. Cole
11 Drogba - 39 Anelka
Manchester United - United have not yet hit top form but a series of resilient displays and late goals mean the Champions are placed ominously. Rio Ferdinand is doubtful, but Fergie should be able to include Dimitar Berbatov, Ryan Giggs and Nemanja Vidic in his squad. Following the tame 2-0 defeat at Anfield a fortnight ago, Ferguson will want his team to improve upon their recent record against England’s other Champions League sides - the Red Devils have won just two of their last ten meetings with their peers. United’s probable centre-forward pairing will be hoping to net again after both scoring against Blackburn last Saturday evening - Wayne Rooney, still celebrating the birth of his first child in midweek, will be looking for his tenth of the season and Berbatov knows a goal on Sunday would go some way towards winning him a place in the affections of Reds fans.
1 Van der Sar
22 O’Shea - 15 Vidic - 23 Evans - 3 Evra
24 Fletcher - 16 Carrick – 8 Anderson - 11 Giggs
10 Rooney - 9 Berbatov
Although both teams have done well so far this season and are comfortably into the Champions League knock-out stage, Chelsea are in arguably better form. Carlo Ancelotti’s diamond formation has reinvigorated his team and Sir Alex has highlighted the Drogba and Anelka 17-goal strike partnership: “Ancelotti’s got the two strikers, and that is a major change compared to Scolari and Ranieri,” the United boss remarked. The battle for midfield will be crucial, and this is where Chelsea look particularly powerful, with Michael Essien at the base of that diamond and Frank Lampard and Michael Ballack providing both solidity and a goal threat. United’s greatest threat may come down the left flank. Ryan Giggs has lit up the season with some fine performances that belie his veteran status, and Patrice Evra will want to take advantage of Chelsea’s narrow midfield to attack Ivanovic.
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