Chelsea head into this game after a very impressive performance away to Tottenham Hotspur despite only coming away with a point. Conversely, Manchester United entertained Arsenal and showed that solid, hard-fought performance we have grown accustomed to over the past two decades. United head into this game on Sunday as the form team but have not won at Stamford Bridge in eight years, which may be the confidence-boosting factor Chelsea need to bridge the gap. Suhail Seedat looks forward to the game (follow him on Twitter).
Chelsea
Predicted team: Cech; Ferreira, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Lampard, Essien, Malouda; Kalou, Drogba, Anelka.
Chelsea have not won a league game in five - two at home - and, with the return of their trusted stalwarts John Terry, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba from injury and suspension, the Blues may feel this is the perfect opportunity to prove the doubters wrong. Chelsea’s desire and commitment has come into question following last season’s impressive double and many have also suggested manager Carlo Ancelotti will be returning to his former side Roma next season because of the politicking and friction with owner Roman Abramovich.
The defence, despite the odd lapse in communication with Petr Cech, looked very impressive and in unison against a very difficult attack in Spurs. Paulo Ferreira is Chelsea’s third-choice right back and can be targeted as his poor decision-making does cost Chelsea in retaining possession.
Terry and Branislav Ivanovic aren’t the quickest but have sharp positional awareness which could make the game a frustrating one for United’s attack. Ashley Cole will continue to work in his typical bustling manner, providing a good threat for Chelsea and looking for deep, unmarked ball carriers.
The midfield and attack is what will provide Ancelotti is biggest headache. Either he plays John Obi Mikel in the centre of midfield to provide cover ahead of Terry and Ivanovic, or a very combative and bulldozing midfield, as predicted. That would enable the team to penetrate and circulate the ball better around United’s midfield.
United last week showed good organisation in midfield to protect their back line from being exposed, but Chelsea may feel their athleticism and sheer determination in all three of their midfield players may do just enough to get through a resistant and hard working United midfield. Florent Malouda’s positioning will be interesting. He either will play on the left of the three, with Essien propped behind and Lampard to his right, or will play in a central role, thereby having more licence to roam and connecting the midfield to the attack line.
It will also work as a mask for the returning Frank Lampard, whose re-appearance couldn’t be better timed as he will give Chelsea an extra dimension that they have been missing since his injury: the ghosting run beyond midfield in an attempt to pick up any scraps to finish.
The front three will be something else for Ancelotti to ponder. Nicolas Anelka didn’t have the best of games against Spurs, looking quite desolate and making little attempt to free himself from the shackles placed upon him by the Spurs central pairing. Ancelotti does have the Brazilian Ramires, who can play on the right wing as he did for Dunga’s Brazil throughout their qualification to the World Cup - and sparingly for Benfica too.
Ramires, thus far, has shown little to suggest he can play in the centre - though it is his preferred role - but his technical ability as well as his fantastic athleticism to work across the channel, and having to match up with Ji-Sung Park, could well negate United’s wing play. Salomon Kalou does provide a threat but can be frustrating in his execution, and is another that may start should Malouda be chosen to play in midfield. Drogba showed glimpses of his old self - power, aggression and hunger more than anger, as the press suggested - in winning headers and taking chances. Maybe Ancelotti has managed to light the fuse beneath Drogba to fire Chelsea to the top?
Manchester United
Predicted team: Van der Sar; Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evra; Nani, Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Park; Rooney.
Whilst Manchester United’s home form has been imperious, their away form suggests they’re not as dominant as they once were. They’ve only managed one away win this season and an amazing six away draws, which they have managed to double compared to last season’s final standings. Currently, United are three points ahead of the West Londoners with a game in hand (against Blackpool). A win on Sunday will put them in a tremendous position heading into the Christmas period.
The team selection will indicate a lot about Alex Ferguson’s mentality about this game, and playing the same team as he did against Arsenal, and in the same structure, may suggest Ferguson will be happy to take a point back to Manchester.
Away from home, United have conceded some sloppy goals but also been shy at the other end. Manchester United have conceded more goals away from home than Everton and Fulham, who both languish in the bottom half of the table. A settled backline may help, however. The game against Arsenal was not for the purists despite the massive build up and that’s down mainly to the fantastic positioning and efficiency of Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Arsenal failed to really exploit United’s defensive weaknesses and resorted to deep crosses attempting to meet Maroune Chamakh at the back post, which is food and drink for both centre backs.
Opta stats reveal United have caught the opposition offside fewer times than any other team, suggesting their back line is probably deeper than previous years. This works as Vidic and Ferdinand are now, more than ever, unwilling to travel with the ball as they don’t have the speed to recover should there be a turnover in possession.
Though Vidic gained the accolades on Monday night for his man of the match performance, the midfield deserves huge credit. Their diligent, military-like arrangement in front of the defence was reminiscent of a team in the second leg of a European knockout competition.
Darren Fletcher and Anderson are both commended for their hard work hard and maintaining a high intensity throughout the game, so Chelsea may be reticent to over-commit themselves and lose the ball, especially in central areas. United, when starting counters, always launch a ball to feet for Wayne Rooney with either winger in support for the second phase, and there is almost always a drag back for a central midfielder who is onrushing once the opposition have been stretched.
Michael Carrick will have an important role in trying to maintain a good tempo, which suits United’s agenda. As a general in United’s attack his role may be limited in playing the ball to wide players only to limit any potential problems from any hospital passes. Nani and Park had glorious games against Arsenal, and linked up well for the goal. Nani will have to attempt getting quick one-twos around Ashley Cole who, against Spurs, was caught making rash challenges on Aaron Lennon.
Rooney will again assume the lone striker role with the hope of retaining possession and relieving defensive pressure. At times, he can cut a frustrated figure being left isolated - as he was against Arsenal - but he does spring into life once there is a potential counter-attacking situation. With pace to burn and confidence outside the area rather than in, as his last penalty illustrated, he will be key in unsettling Chelsea’s flow. Chelsea may gamble and play a high line with both full backs in the opposition half, which gives United the opportunity to play long diagonals exploiting the wide areas and pulling Terry and Ivanovic into uncomfortable territory.
This is a must win game for Chelsea, more than United, and in front of their home fans they’ll want to show unity and commitment to retaining the title. The league has been poor in quality at the top end with points being gifted in true festive fashion. This game will go a long way to determining the champions and who in May will be sitting at the top of the tree.
twofootedtackle.com is trying to raise £1,000 for Cardiac Risk in the Young, which works to raise awareness of heart conditions that lead to sudden cardiac death and sudden death syndrome. You can help by donating just £2 at justgiving.com/twofootedtackle.
Tags: Chelsea, Manchester United