UK Football

Sure, there are other matches this weekend, but the one that matters most is Sunday’s fixture, Chelsea v Manchester United.  Chelsea, a team in form, but also at about the same spot where they began to sputter last season.  United, a team struggling to find their form, but who doesn’t know the danger of writing off the Red Devils by now?

For me the match comes down to some key battles.  The first and most prominent in my mind of course, United’s defense.  All reports indicate that Vidic will be available for the match, and that means the Serb is going to have to have a great match if United stand a chance.  The only time United can play their best is when Vidic is a rock in that defense. 

But if United can’t organize, and they haven’t been able to for some time, Drogba and Anelka are going to expose them horribly.  Evra takes too many chances, Drogba will relish the space he’ll leave by attacking too frequently.  Who do you partner Vidic with?  Brown is more of a physical presence, whereas Evans is more solid but definitely slower.

The biggest threat to Chelsea is going to be the midfield battles, and set pieces.  Chelsea have been punished on numerous occasions from set pieces this season, and that will continue if they can’t organize.  Especially with Fletcher available for United.  If anyone can score from a set piece in a big game, it’s Darren Fletcher. 

I’m still not sold on Ancelotti’s diamond formation, and Chelsea have paid the price when it hasn’t worked effectively against some of the ‘lesser’ teams.  Lampard just looks clueless in the middle with the new system, and Ballack and Deco are inconsistent battlers.  Essien will always win balls for you when the other team attacks, but he isn’t much of an attacker himself.  If Fergie is smart and plays Fletcher and Anderson to favor pace over experience, Chelsea could have their hands full.

But from open play John Terry has been an absolute rock this season, and their only real defensive worry is Petr Cech himself.  I’ve never seen a goalkeeper chase balls that he has no business going after as much as Cech this season.  In fact I recall a certain Villa goal that Cech was responsible for, helping hand Chelsea their second loss of the year. 

But let’s face it, he’s not going to have as much work to do now Ronaldo has left United.  Valencia just isn’t the sort of player you can count on to take on defenders and make plays.  United have plenty of good hard workers, but not enough playmakers.  That’s going to hurt them when Chelsea’s solid defending kicks into full force.

My verdict, Cheslea will edge United out 1-0 or 2-1 if things get hectic.  United just haven’t replaced the goals yet, and Fergie will play Berbatov when he should be playing Owen.  Owen would be a constant threat and would force Chelsea to hold a lower defensive line.  Berbatov is too slow for Chelsea’s defenders to worry.  This is a match made for Owen, but he won’t feature, and United will lose for that. 

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