English Premier
2011-09-18 - Manchester United vs Chelsea F.C
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Match Preview :
Match of the week no doubt as Chelsea travels to Old Trafford for this clash against Champions Manchester United and this will be Andres Villas Boas toughest test since taking over the Chelsea's hot seat.
It was hoped that the inclusion of AVB could turn things around at Chelsea but so far they are still two points behind the Red Devils and could go five points behind after this match.
The Red Devils have been in superb form in the Premier League so far, not only claiming maximum points from their opening four games but also scoring 18 goals along the way.
Wayne Rooney has hit the back of the net as many as eight times including back-to-back hat-tricks, and he will make history if he does repeat the feat this weekend by becoming the first player to net a treble in three consecutive Premier League games!
In midweek for the UEFA Champions League clash with Benfica Sir Alex Ferguson opted for a more experienced line-up away from home in Europe and they came away with a 1-1 draw.
David de Gea is expected to come back in between the posts despite Anders Lindegaard's assured performance against Benfica, while Ryan Giggs could also start and Rio Ferdinand is also expected back in the side.Javier Hernandez, Ashley Young, Nani and Anderson are also in contention to come back in, although the likes of Darren Fletcher, Park Ji-sung and Antonio Valencia will also be hoping to keep their places.
Ferguson has reported no fresh injury concerns after their Portugal trip, leaving Nemanja Vidic (calf), Tom Cleverley (foot) and Rafael (shoulder) out of the side still, while Danny Welbeck misses out with a hamstring injury for at least another week.
For the visitors, Villas-Boas has made a quiet but impressive start to the Premiership. After the opening day draw against Stoke, they have since notched up three consecutive wins and the Blues can go ahead of United should they win at Old Trafford.
Chelsea started their Champions League with a 2-0 win over Bayer Leverkusen in midweek. Villas Voas was brought in with the with a reputation as perhaps the most promising young tactician in world football and there is not much to critisize him so far.
And the no nonsense tactician has showed he meant business when he showed he is not afraid to drop players whatever their status, leaving out Fernando Torres for the game against Sunderland last week before recalling him to face Leverkusen. Torres could find himself omitted from the starting lineup in favour of Daniel Sturridge and Nicolas Anelka here today.
Didier Drogba had hoped to recover in time from a sickening head injury that caused him concussion in the 3-1 victory over Norwich on 27th August, but AVB will not risk him. David Luiz marked his first appearance of the season against Leverkusen with a goal and is likely to keep his place in the side alongside skipper John Terry, who was rested on Tuesday.
Branislav Ivanovic could therefore be the player to be left out here in favour of Luiz, unless Villas-Boas decides to play the Serbian at right-back instead of Jose Bosingwa.
Ramires is also available again following a European suspension, but Michael Essien is out on a long term knee injury.
Possible lineups
Manchester United : De Gea, Smalling, Jones, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Anderson, Giggs, Young, Rooney, Hernandez.
Chelsea : Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Mata, Lampard, Ramires, Meireles, Anelka, Sturridge.
Prediction :
Take Manchester United to win this with a 2-1 scoreline.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Manchester United 2-1 Chelsea
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
Manchester United to win.
