Chelsea v Manchester United: Can United beat the Blues?
It's the biggest game of the season so far but can Manchester United become the first English side to beat the Champions League holders this season?
Chelsea currently sit four points clear of Sir Alex Ferguson's Red Devils and will remain top regardless of what happens today, but Roberto Di Matteo's men are looking in great nick in the Premier League. Last weekend they came back from two-one down against Spurs at White Hart Lane to win 4-2. They may be struggling in the Champions League but domestically Chelsea believe they can outscore anyone.
Chelsea's record against United is also impressive. They haven't lost to Fergie's men in the league for a decade. That is a huge achievement. Last season under AVB they should have trounced United. They were three up and cruising, but United came back from the dead to snatch a point.
United travel to the Bridge eager to tighten up at the back. They have only managed two clean sheets all season. Everyone knows that with RVP, Rooney, Welbeck and co, United have goals in them. But Chelsea will be fully aware that they can be breached and Mata, Hazard and Oscar could have a field day carving open the visitors' defence like a pumpkin.
Chelsea could open up a seven-point lead over United with victory tonight and go four points ahead of the champions City. Sir Alex can not afford to fall that far behind so early in the season.
We all expect goals in this game and the majority of the pundits are going for a home win.
Chelsea v Manchester United; Kick Off 4pm October 28 2012
Prediction Panel
|
Arsenal |
Josh Ben Moshe |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Aston Villa |
Frank Pattison |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Chelsea |
Joe Tyler |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Everton |
Chris Goodwin |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Fulham |
Neil Springate |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Liverpool |
Dave Disciascio |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Man City |
Callum Rothwell |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Alex Richert |
3 |
V |
3 |
|
|
Newcastle |
Greg Hall |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Norwich |
Sue Read |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
QPR |
John Jaycock |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Reading |
Jon Keen |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Southampton |
Andy Saunders |
3 |
V |
3 |
|
Stoke City |
Jack Heaney |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Sunderland |
Tony Ratton |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Swansea |
Jim Barry |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Spurs |
Mike Richards |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
West Brom |
Andy Wakeman |
1 |
V |
3 |
|
West Ham |
Matt Beeby |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Wigan |
Jimmy Shine |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OUR EXPERTS |
|
|
|
|
|
Writer |
Colin Illingworth |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Steve Coulter |
3 |
V |
2 |
|
Writer |
Hugh Larkin |
1 |
V |
0 |
|
Writer |
Mitch Waddon |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Writer |
Chris Pettitt |
2 |
V |
3 |
|
Writer |
Sarshar Hosseinnia |
3 |
V |
1 |
|
Blackburn fan |
Terry Kennedy |
1 |
V |
1 |
|
Bolton fan |
David Blackburn |
2 |
V |
1 |
|
Boro fan |
Sue Gardener |
3 |
V |
3 |
|
Pompey fan |
Dan Taylor |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
Pompey fan |
Peter Rendle |
2 |
V |
2 |
|
West Ham fan |
Nigel Telfer |
TBA |
V |
TBA |
|
Wolves fan |
Chris Cox |
2 |
V |
0 |
|
Editor |
Antony Melvin |
2 |
V |
2 |
Panel Verdict
Home win.
Home: 17; Draw: 13; Away: 2. TBA 2.
* Do we have it right or do you know better? We’d love to hear from you.
Related Articles:
Chelsea v Manchester United: Great games 1 - De Gea denies Cheslea in six-goal thriller
Chelsea v Manchester United: Great games 2 - Lampard is spot on at the Bridge
Chelsea v Manchester United: Great games 3 - Five star Chelsea thrash the champions
Chelsea v Manchester United: Great games 4 - Giggs hits 100th goal
Chelsea v Manchester United: McClair breaks Chelsea hearts
Chelsea: Can the Blues be the new Invincibles?
Manchester United: Why United will beat the Blues?
