Chelsea will relish the chance to try and put Manchester United to the sword on Sunday.
They are playing with a real swagger, their recent home league record against United is formidable and in Didier Drogba they have one of the best, if not the best, front-men in world football.
Win at Stamford Bridge this weekend and they can open up a five-point gap over their nearest Premier League challengers. So why wouldn't they look forward to it?
Diamonds: Ballack and Lampard are integral to Ancelotti's formation
But the flip-side - a United victory - should concern the league greatly. Even though Sir Alex Ferguson's side is playing below its best, United are still within reach of top spot.
Everyone must realise there is more to come from them, far more. A victory on Sunday would not only give United belief and confidence but leave Chelsea thinking 'wow - we're playing out of our skin here and we can't shake this team off'.
Curbed
After his brace against Atletico in midweek, Chelsea will want another dominant display from Drogba. At the moment the Ivorian is playing with massive confidence and belief, as well as an experience that being 30 brings you.
Drogba's certainly not as bad as he was a couple of years ago when at times he went down like a seven stone weakling.
Andy Gray
Quotes of the week
Chelsea v Man Utd
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
Age brings maturity in every sport, particularly football; as a striker you learn so much about the game as you go through life, making you more powerful as a striker.
Drogba has always been a talent but he's learnt how to be consistent and learnt that people don't like players who throw themselves on the ground; it's still a part of his game but he has curbed it. He's certainly not as bad as he was a couple of years ago when at times he went down like a seven-stone weakling.
In terms of out-and-out strikers I'd put him above the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Raul and Karim Benzema on present form. In this country, there is probably only Fernando Torres to rival him.
Flair
Chelsea's system is clearly helping Drogba to thrive. It's always been my opinion that when you provide a striker of his quality with a partner you increase their potency. Under Jose Mourinho, Drogba was an effective player but he largely played up front on his own with two wide men supporting him.
I believe that when you have another front man like Nicolas Anelka, who attracts defenders away from certain areas, then life becomes easier. You get support very quickly and that helps to create space.
The onus will be on Chelsea as the home side to go forward and make United work. With their best quartet of midfield players available - Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Joe Cole, and Deco stepping in when necessary - they have flair and power that presently is only rivalled by Arsenal.
Choice
United have their own talismanic striker in Wayne Rooney. I don't have a negative thing to say about Wayne other than sometimes he tries to do everything on the pitch! If he could he would save a shot, throw it out to himself at right back, waltz through midfield, play the ball to himself up front and smash it in. He'll run through brick walls for United.
I think he's still lacking the ideal partner up front. Is it Dimitar Berbatov? I don't know. At times he's shown some form but too infrequently for me for someone who cost £30m.
Sir Alex has a choice about how to approach this match, injuries permitting. When United go up against Arsenal he tends to leave out a front-man and go with five in midfield.
But against Chelsea's diamond will he go with four across the midfield, manufacture his own diamond or leave a front-man out and go in with his European away set-up, as I call it, with five in midfield?
Energy
United did miss Darren Fletcher against Liverpool and his presence is a boost. It's amazing how far his star is in the ascendancy. I like Darren a lot, he's a smashing lad and as a footballer he has improved so much in the last three years in particular.
Some people struggle and never make it at United but Darren has. He's come in and got big goals in big games and gives them an energy in the midfield that very few others can offer.
But I really don't know where Nani is going to end up. He looks as though he has all of the talent in the world but flatters to deceive an awful lot. It must be so frustrating for Sir Alex.
He's had time to come to terms with this league but he hasn't fulfilled his promise and it may be that he never will.
Ryan Giggs can't play every week at the age of 35. Sir Alex would love Nani to have said to him by his performances, 'listen gaffa, you have to play me' but at the moment Giggs, when he's fit, will play in all of the big games.
I've watched United on plenty of occasions this year and there's no doubt in my mind that their midfield lacks cohesion, simply because Sir Alex has had to rotate the likes of Fletcher, Paul Scholes, Michael Carrick and Anderson.
Unsteady
The same is true of the defence and Gary Neville's suspension has added to the disruption caused by the injuries Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand have suffered this season.
Rio in particular has come in for plenty of criticism but I think Sir Alex is right to defend him. It is difficult to perform at your best game after game, week after week, month after month, season after season. Footballers are human beings who will have bad spells at times in their careers. Sir Alex was a player himself and he knows this.
Vidic has also been unsteady at the back, never more so than against Liverpool. I thought United would go out there and say 'right, we got torn apart by you last year, now we are going to show you how good we are'. They didn't and that must be a worry.
Look at the stability United have had in defence en route to their last three Premier League titles. They simply haven't had that this season.
If I was a United fan I would be concerned if Wes Brown and Jonny Evans start at the back on Sunday because the pace and power Anelka and Drogba will be a real handful for those two, based on what I saw at Old Trafford on Tuesday.
United will be licking a few wounds after conceding three at home to CSKA so if Vidic, as expected, returns that will help. United also created loads of chances that night and could well have scored more than three times themselves. It all adds up to a contest to relish.
Comments (31)
Danny Roberts (Chelsea fan) says...
i must reply to the arsenal fan saying comparing chelsea to arsenal is like comparing bolton to barcelona... excuse me how many trophies has arsenal had in the last 5 years? none and yes it would be like comparing bolton to barcelona in the way that arsenal will NEVER be good enough again to rival chelsea your team is poor and just makes losing look pretty yeah some acheivement that is hence why your commenting on a chelsea vs man utd fixture because you dream your team was good enough to rival either
Posted 06:31 9th November 2009
Shawn-o Kiernan (Manchester United fan) says...
A remarkable game... the refs table that I have the luxury of sitting with at the pub all concurred - the goal simply should not have stood.
Posted 02:31 9th November 2009
Viktor V (Chelsea fan) says...
Can anybody stop sir Alex to make rabish comments against teams who beat his foulty squad. Shame. Everytime somebody guity, but not him and his players. Can FA finally stop him? Is it any power against sir Alex's comments?
Posted 02:15 9th November 2009
Jeff Turner (Manchester City fan) says...
I made a comment a couple of days ago but you chose not to enter it (probably because I used a minor expletive - for which I apologise). Anyway, what i said was that: " I could safely predict that Ferguson would be furious on Monday morning". I suppose the only mistake i made was that he couldn't wait until Monday morning. But the question is will Ferguson ever come away from a game where United don't win without being "furious"
Posted 22:42 8th November 2009
Joe Brody (Hartlepool United fan) says...
Waffle on all you like but the top team in the Championship got a bigger attendance than the top team in the Premier League this weekend.
Posted 21:39 8th November 2009
Peter Budgen (Brighton and Hove Albion fan) says...
just watching the match between Chelsea and Man Utd, and noticed that The reds are not sporting a Poppy on their shirts, can a club with so much mony not afford to put one on their kit, clubs in lower leagues manage, obviously they think they are beyond supporting the fallen and those that are in the forces
Posted 16:21 8th November 2009
Phillip Mugami (Chelsea fan) says...
Ben, hw could you sum up the comparison of chelsea to arsenal to that of barca and bolton. I find that abit narrow minded and an insult to the bolton and alike teams. Yes its true arsenal play gud beautiful footbal and probably the best footbal in the EPL. But you must unadastand there is more to soccer than fluid attractive passing. For as long as it is a result oriented game beautiful soccer wil only but guarantee packed stadiums. Chelsea play good and in a manner that siuts them, very experiencd, proffesional and with alot of depth in their squad. It will be a tight game but iam looking forward to another exciting game in the EPL
Posted 14:05 8th November 2009
James Bold (Manchester United fan) says...
You have to look at man utd and look at their defencive fumbles so far this season they are just stupid mistakes and with Vidic back to partner Johnny Evans (who did a great job against drogba last season) i dont think our defence is going to be bad at all i also would put Brown or Rafael at RB because O'shea is not partnering so good with Valencia the man united have to watch is Frank Lampard take him out of the equastion and united will come out of this game triumphunt and with Fletch and Anderson partnering in central mid we will keep Lamps quiet and i also think Nani has to step it up and step it up quick because he is not looking good so Giggsy on the left n Rooney n Berbatov up front and we will bring the game to the Bridge,United to win 3-1 Come on you Reds.
Posted 12:41 8th November 2009
Rich Noall (Chelsea fan) says...
Me thinks you should all be causous, Just Think about it, I have been watching UTD as well as you guys on the tv and I have to say it is like watching Queens Park Rangers sometimes. Organisation out the window ect, even some sunday football pub team mistakes... HE HE HE.. But with all that taken into account, they are still only 2 points behind us... and even if we win and the gap is 5... utd are still a team producing results.... which is testiment to the old boys (and rooney) and the great Sir Alex (I dont like him though, because he is Man UTD manager :P) I think Darren fletcher will be the man to make a differance in this game... and chelsea should get Essien on him for the whole game, he is the only player we have that can match his energy. If i was a coach at any team I would be worried a bit... I think it will be a tough game still....
Posted 08:01 8th November 2009
Andrew Worling (Chelsea fan) says...
Ben Ferunni you need to watch more football than just your Arsenal games. If you had been watching Chelsea of late with Joe Cole and Deco starting to find some of their best form, you would have seen some fantastic attacking football with some superb passing that at times has even rivaled that of Arsenal's interplay. I have watched a fair deal of Arsenal's games this year, and while I have been of the opinion since day one that the Gunners will be genuine title contenders this season, I must point out that there recent victories over weak sides has given their fans a false sense of security. On the three ocasions that Wenger's boys have come up against determined sides with some fighting spirit (Man United, City and West Ham) they have dropped points. This still suggests to me that when the going gets tough the Gunners just don't have enough experience, maturity and fight to beat the likes of Chelsea and United. The other fact which Gunners fans have overlooked is that Arsenal have conceded goals in almost every game this season and a great deal of their goals come via mistakes and poor defending on their opponents behalf. Against Spurs all three goals came from mistakes and lapses in concentration by Harry's men and yesterday against Wolves three of the four goals were down to shocking defending. Against the big boys you won't be gifted goals and your defensive frailties will be exploited to an even greater degree. It is these reasons that lead me to believe that while Arsenal will come close they will not win the Premiership or the Champions League this season.
Posted 08:00 8th November 2009
Peter Hunter (Manchester United fan) says...
Once again Andy, fantastic report. This is in my opinion United's biggest and most important match this season! The reason why we are so shaky is becasue we have won everything in the last 4 seasons. The likes of Rio, Vidic, Scholes have been and done it and so have not had the fire that they had seasons before. However, Fletcher is a massive boost. He has bulked up and is so influential to us. This is Nani's big chance now to prove his worth. He must deliver or he will be sold. People are writing us off, but Champions do best when their backs are against the wall! We have needed time to get over the sellings of Ronaldo and Tevez, time is of the essence and now United will show their true colour. Hargreaves will be back soon which is a huge boost, Hargreaves, Fletcher, Anderson, Scholes, Carrick and Giggs will be a dominant midfiled and remeber we have a £100 million to spend in January. Rooney will do what he alwasy does, work for the team. Evra will keep Chelsea a threat. As long as we Control Midfield and give 100% we shall prevail and show the knockers who's the best in the land and why you can never judge a team by a couple rubbish results. My prediction is 3-1 to United, big scoreline because we have a point to prove. This is it now, we cannot lose and will not lose. We are UNITED and we never give up and always strive for perfection yet sometimes have to settle for excellence. Glory Glory Manchester United!!!
Posted 05:11 8th November 2009
Joe Tenner (Manchester United fan) says...
Spot on as usual. Chelsea have a lot going for them coming into this fixture - Lampard hitting form, Drogba dominating - but of all the teams in the Premiere League, Man Utd always seem to be able to find that toughness and fight when they need it most, even with a weakened squad.
Posted 15:18 6th November 2009
Justin Howard (Chelsea fan) says...
to ben ferunni, arsenal fan] arsenal play good attacking football but defensively you are weak plain and simple, chelsea have got all options open to them attacking they've got drogba and anelka, in midfield OMG where to start lamps, ballack, cole, essein, deco. in defense its the meanest in the league, i'm not knocking arsenal but for ben to come on here and talk the way he did obviously does'nt know the firstthing about football its not all about flair sometimes you need to dig deep for a win something arsenal a very poor at. sundays game chelsea to win 3-1.
Posted 15:11 6th November 2009
Patrick Nsubuga (Manchester United fan) says...
yeah its a tough match 4 both teams and dont be surprise to see man utd getting a result at da bridge on sunday.we just miss da creativity of cristiano but man utd are still a good team.Ferguson should check out on Kevin prince boeteng from Portsmouth z a good creative midfielder
Posted 15:08 6th November 2009
Ashley Craig (Chelsea fan) says...
you keep mentioning drogba, but what about anelka, he can score goals and create them. I have to admit its going to be a close game, but since its being played at Stamford Bridge, i can't see a manchester united, and if they do, they will have to play better than what they have done this season.
Posted 14:58 6th November 2009
Shravan Karthik (Chelsea fan) says...
No doubt we are favorites to win this one.I feel draw this mid week was the best result that too away...Now we go in knowing that 3 points will give a real healthy lead and much more than that win against another big 4 team,that is a big confidence booster.....One of the main reasons I feel Scolari got the boot.I feel drogba is the best striker at this moment and the same thing will happen on Sunday what happened to liverpool at the bridge this season...drogba will set up goals and maybe score.If Evans starts he will give him a real tough time....Vidic is no better I think Drogba will be too strong and Anelka with his pace is also a threat..United midfield is also in disarray....shows ronaldo's imapct in the midfield.....the front two are also lacking firepower....Rooney seems to do all the work and berbatov looks really lazy......and changes the system that united play....I think all these factors favor us to win.....I think we will win 2-0 Anelka and Lampard scoring
Posted 14:48 6th November 2009
Tommy Clark (Manchester United fan) says...
i just dont no about this game ! united have just not been firing with all guns blazing so far this season . they havent beaten anybody of any significance for some time . we are going to have to get back to a solid defence . with or without ferdinand who hast been in the best of form this season by a long way . if a team like cska can put three goals past us then heaven knows what anelka/drogba can do ! we just can not play as poorly as we did against liverpool . i fear a away defeat 2 - 1 to chelsea -- but then again we have alex ferguson in our locker . what better manager in the land to give his team all the inspiration they need .
Posted 14:45 6th November 2009
Patrick Nsubuga (Manchester United fan) says...
yeah its a tough match 4 both teams and dont be surprise to see man utd getting a result at da bridge on sunday.we just miss da creativity of cristiano but man utd are still a good team.Ferguson should check out on Kevin prince boeteng from Portsmouth z a good creativity midfielder
Posted 14:31 6th November 2009
Shiv Shetty (Chelsea fan) says...
I hear you guys all talking about a win... but you all seem to forget what happens to any team expecting to win at Stamford Bridge... (barring when dum Scolari was in charge, since "he did not care about any records" or probably did not know what to do)
Posted 14:20 6th November 2009
Roger Thompson (Everton fan) says...
We are catching UNITED at the right time and right place. Drogba's at his best form since he joined Chelsea. Our attack with DD and Anelka is a force to be feared. Lamps also comes up big in big matches. 3-0 for the boys in BLUE.
Posted 14:11 6th November 2009
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