Sky Sports expert Paul Merson looks ahead to this weekend's live offerings.....
Merse on West Brom v Aston Villa
Merse on Chelsea v Man Utd
West Brom v Aston Villa
West Brom play great football and have the look of a Premier League team - I just worry that they leave themselves too open.
Ferguson: needs a result
In the Championship they were able to play like that because they had better players than the other teams and they could open the game up like Man United or Arsenal do - and more often than not they'd end up winning.
They've carried on in that vein since they've come up and I don't think they have that extra edge to be able to do that in the top flight. That's why I tipped them to go down at the start of the season and I haven't seen much to convince me they can stay up.
Under Mourinho Chelsea used to play "Subbuteo Football" because when the half-time whistle went the players were all in the same positions they were in before the kick-off.
Paul Merson
Quotes of the week
West Brom V Aston Villa
11.30am, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
Chelsea v Man Utd
2.00pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
I'm a big fan of Jonathan Greening who makes things happen for them. He's comfortable on the ball, hardly ever giving it away, which is the name of the game in the Premier League, especially when you play for a team that's going to be under the cosh for long periods.
Villa's need for speed
Albion do go for it and will score plenty of goals, but I think Villa's pace will expose them at the back. Martin O'Neill's side have blown hot and cold this year but I can't see anything but a Villa win on Sunday.
I know they played on Monday and on Thursday, but the afternoon European kick-off will be a big advantage for them. They'd have been back in Birmingham by midnight instead of 4 o'clock in the morning and that will make a big difference in their recovery time. Also, they're a young, fit team - it's not like they've got a bunch of 35-year-olds in there.
If you're winning games - as they did at Tottenham and at Litex Lovech - you don't get tired. I know John Carew's injury is a blow for them, but it's all about the pace for Villa.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Ashley Young - If he plays well then Villa are a completely different team because his pace and ability frightens people. His set-pieces are also important because he's such a good crosser of the ball. I know he missed the European game, so if he's not fit then you're looking for Gareth Barry. If you want to win Premier League football matches you've got to win the midfield and he's as good as any midfielder in the league.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Away win - I'm going to go for a 2-1 Villa win. I think West Brom will have a go, but Villa will be too strong for them and will pick them off. They simply have better players all over the pitch.
Chelsea v Man Utd
If Man United lose this game they go nine points behind Chelsea. That's absolutely massive because how many games are Chelsea going to lose this season? If somebody offered you a bet on Chelsea to win the league with a nine-point head-start by the end of September, anybody in the world would take it.
They've already got one fantastic result this week - and I don't mean the win against Bordeaux. I'm talking about John Terry getting his red card rescinded, which surprised me when there's this big game against United coming up. I know the foul was on the half-way line but I was stunned it was overturned.
This will be a very difficult game for both sides. I know Man United have players missing, but you've only got to look at their record against big teams to see how they turn it on when it matters.
The Ronaldo factor
Any team would struggle when you take away a player who scores 42 goals in a season. Where would United have come last season without the points they picked up due to Cristaino Ronaldo's goals? Some teams only score 60 in a season, if that!
That's maybe why they've started a bit slowly and I think he needs to start on Sunday, even if he's not fully fit. The two Chelsea full-backs bomb on like wingers every time their team has the ball, but if Ronaldo plays he will force them to think twice about pushing on - and that will take a big part of Chelsea's game away. He's got to play.
In fact United have got to play as many big guns as they can get on the pitch. I know it's only early but they really must get at least a draw because they can't afford to give Chelsea a nine-point lead.
Every time I've watched Chelsea this season their passing and moving has been phenomenal. It looks like they've worked on it so much on the training ground because they've got players coming in off the wings, full-backs pushing on and they cause problems all over the pitch with their movement. John Obi Mikel allows them to do that with the way he sits in front of the back four.
In my opinion they didn't play like that under Jose Mourinho. Back then they used to play "Subbuteo Football" because when the half-time whistle went the players were all in the same positions they were in before the kick-off. It was very efficient, but now they play more like Arsenal with players moving all over the place like clockwork.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Frank Lampard - Out of all the great players on the pitch, I still think he's the one to watch. This will be a tight game and even though he might not doing anything for long spells he so often comes up with a goal. I don't care what anyone says, that's still the most difficult thing to do in football. If the players tracking him fall asleep just once then he will score.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Home win - I would like to say a draw but I don't really want to sit on the fence. I'm going to go for a 1-0 win to Chelsea. It's going to be a tight game but it could really put United under pressure in the title race, even though they've got some easier games coming up.
Comments (43)
Chan Peter (Manchester United fan) says...
United started in a form that can be considered poor this season especially mid field. Hargreves still not in his best yet. Rooney has been very hard working but he seemed to loose possession all the time. I am not blaming him to loose the free kick to Chelsea and that led to a goal, but for the past few games, he was not in top form. He was a bit too nervous. Looked at Ferguson shouted to him asking him to calm down last night. Berbatov still needs more time to work well with the team. The players who could maintain form were the back 4. Up front I hope with the return of Ronaldo will look like a different ManU soon and pick up more goals.
Posted 09:21 22nd September 2008
Dean Cartwright (Chelsea fan) says...
Chelsea have the upper hand in this game, no doubt about it. But we just cannot underestimate Man UTD just because they have had a bad start to the season, they are a brilliant team with real quality players. Sure we have started well, but Man Utd are indeed the premier league and champions league champions. We have to stay focused, keep the ball well with our world class midfielders, let Deco & Joe Cole move around behind Didier Drogba and feed him well. Im going for a 2-0 win for Chelsea but the most realistic result would be 1-1.
Posted 12:27 21st September 2008
Steve Allanson (Manchester United fan) says...
Super sunday will indeed be a title cruncher even at this early stage in the season. Lets be honest Chelsea are playing some awesome stuff right now and look like a team on a mission. Last season will surely be all they need to drive them on. However in United and the return of the God 'Ronaldo' there is a sleeping giant ready to thrust into action and just maybe today will be the time for them to wake up. If they do and manage to beat Chelski the whole complection on the football season changes. Im going for a scrappy united win!!
Posted 12:24 21st September 2008
Bagmose Mzs (Arsenal fan) says...
I have read and apreciated many comments about this big match on Super Sunday. However, I have noted that many people have treated Ronaldo as the real and only turning point in the whole game. To me, the two people that I know will be the fulcrum of the game are Deco for Chelsea and D.Barbatov for Man.U. Look at the way he used to disorganise Chelsea before he joined Man U. Overall, I will expect to have a very balanced game with four goals. Two for Chelsea and Two for Man.U.
Posted 11:03 21st September 2008
Venance Lazaro (Manchester United fan) says...
Well, it is going to be tight. Chelsea has a very good midfield with the arrival of Deco. But Man United are always able to raise the level of their game when it comes to big matches. The return of Ronaldo is a big psychological boost to the whole team as evident in the spell he was involved in the Villareal game. I would go for a draw, but a win by ManU will not be a surprise for me! that will be a strong message to the Premiership.
Posted 09:53 21st September 2008
Paul Wiste (Chelsea fan) says...
Though I am a Chelsea supporter, I have to agree with Iain Grant when he points out that with the game in hand the points diference will only be 6 with a Chelsea win. The press like to whip this up into something more than it is. Scolari said it best when he said its just another match, no diferent than Bolton. This is not a title decider, its just another match that will have the same effect on the title as every further match. Let's sit back and hope for one as exciting as the same fixture last season at Stamford Bridge! C'mon Chelsea, C'mon Chelsea! C'mon Chelsea!!!!! ps- 3-0 to the Blues with Van der Sar letting in a screamer for the first that will determine the rest of the match.
Posted 09:31 21st September 2008
Roman Owens (Chelsea fan) says...
I think it's funny how all Man Utd fans think they're going to beat Chelsea on sunday. To be honest I think the best that they could hope for is a draw, and i believe that is what SAF would be happy with. i think with the calibre of players on both teams, it would be unlikely that there will only be 1 goal scored in the entire game. My prediction is 2-1 Chelsea with Terry and Drogba scoring, and Tevez for Man U.
Posted 17:25 20th September 2008
Ekene Enechukwu (Chelsea fan) says...
what an article,i think is gona be a big test for scolari who has started very well.he will be playing against a side that is defending the title and are champions of Europe against the background of a four-year home record to protect.i dont give credence to C. Ronaldo in big matches like this,however his return will give United a boast that means the tactics of A.cole and Bosingwa going forward has to be looked at critically.i have no doubt chelsea and scolari will make a statement by coming out victorious,however,United will fight for their life.
Posted 16:29 20th September 2008
Joel Buckle (Manchester United fan) says...
I think it's utter nonsense that the majority think that Chelsea will win on Sunday, but they are under more pressure than United to defend their "precious" home record. I reckon it will be My prediction: Chelsea 1-3 Man Utd Lampard 20 Ronaldo 30 Rooney 32 Tevez 90
Posted 17:59 19th September 2008
Elias Kabas (Manchester United fan) says...
I think some times in football what matters most is to win important game not the so called big games. Imagine a team picks up all the points from big games and loses the important games what might be termed deciders. all in vain. Good luck man u.
Posted 17:22 19th September 2008
Carl Mcclatchie (Aston Villa fan) says...
These seem like reasonable enough predictions results wise, but I feel Villa will crush West Brom, we scored more goals than any other team last year on the road and are already banging in goals this season once more, I think Villa will run out 1-4 winners. With Chelsea game I think the predictio is about right I think 1-0 home win and a 9 point lead for Chelsea over Man U.
Posted 15:44 19th September 2008
Michael Laidlaw (Chelsea fan) says...
I know Man Utd say they had a poor start to the season, but Chelsea had a worse start. They were some 12pts off the top spot at one point where as Man Utd were maybe 2 or 3. The difference this year is that Man Utd have started bad and Chelsea have started great. I don't want to be to confident on this weekend because everyone in the World knows that Football can hit you where is hurts at the best of times. Chelsea will have to stay tight and strong, channel the hurt from last year into a positive manner. And I hope Lampard scores again, just so Mourinho can see no matter who he buys he'll never get anyone as good as Frank!
Posted 15:01 19th September 2008
Dauda Bawa (Manchester United fan) says...
It sounds reasonable what Merson's saying.At the moment,Man utd does'nt look sharp enough and chelsea is unarguably at their peak now.Honestly,it's going to be a difficult game for both sides but I see Man utd coming out with the maximum points at Stanford bridge.That would surely make history and Man utd is a team of histories and records(remember Arsenal's unbeaten record?) etc.Chelsea would fade with time.Liverpool and Arsenal are our main rivals for the title this season(still believe sir Alex).
Posted 13:17 19th September 2008
Kazam Xzibit (Chelsea fan) says...
What people are forgetting that Scolari was equally responsible for Cristiano Ronaldo along with Sir Alex to become one of the top athletes and knows Ronaldo inside out .Chelsea will definitely win over ManUtd at SW6 and i cant envisage Man Utd drawing or winning.Man Utd need another week or so to really enter into top gear cuz at present they arent fully justifying their potential on the field.If i was SAF i wud be really worried with the timing of this fixture especially when coming away from a home draw against a side like Villareal
Posted 13:01 19th September 2008
Dan Streeter (Manchester United fan) says...
Sunday is massive for Manchester United, fans will no doubt say "no need to worry, we started off like this last season, but look what happened". I dont agree this time last season after the teams we played we had 7 points (3points off Liverpool & Newcastle and 1point at pompy) United will come good theres no doubt about that. but sunday is a tough ask to take all three points, i hate chelsea but their record at home has to be respected. Then again all good things come to an end, we are not Champions of England & Europe for nothing
Posted 12:31 19th September 2008
Ayushya Kaul (Chelsea fan) says...
Hunger to win is what would describe the game.Chelsea to claim the title and Man Utd, after a stuttering start to both the Premier League and Champions League would themselves want to mark their presence with a win ,and what better than a win against the Blues.The Rivalry is getting more and more intense between the two sets of players and the clubs.Chelsea look absolutely unstoppable.Chelsea couldn't have wished to play against Man Utd at this stage,where The Blues are looking extremely dangerous and and determined as ever.This game would be a real test for LFS.His first big game in his current tenure. Chelsea would definitely go in as favourites for this match.The Home record ,the Current Form of the Players all favour a Chelsea win but then its what happens on the field on the day which matters above all.Sunday would mark the return of a full match for either side's most dreadful attacker.Drogba for Chelsea and Ronaldo for ManUtd.Ronaldo's arrival will come as a relief for Utd as they clearly seem to be struggling without him.Drogba's arrival on the other hand would just add to the current crop of quality in form players. Fergie's comments on Terry's controversial decision is just gonna add fuel to the firel.And Vidic's absence makes it more frustrating for Fergie.Hargreaves too has returned and Berbatov too is thought to be back from his injury.For Chelsea Essien's absence is still a major blow.Ballack's returning is a fantastic news for the Blues.He manhandled Utd last time with couple of goals and would want to go one step better this time around I expect Chelsea to field in the same back four that they've had all this while.Carvalho's performances in the recent games have been magnificent.
Posted 12:31 19th September 2008
Iain Grant (Manchester United fan) says...
I wish all pundits wouldn't keep refering to this gap (in the event of a Chelsea victory) as an absolute 9 point gap... the reality is, that this will be a 6 point gap after United win their game in hand. I'd also point out that United are two points better off after three games this season, than they were last season. I'd also point out that United were 5 points adrift of Chelsea at a similar stage last season... we all know what happened come May when the medals were handed out. For the record, I think Chelsea will win tomorrow, but I wouldn't be surprised to see United win... it's mouthwatering either way...
Posted 11:42 19th September 2008
Cheezy Okubuiro (Chelsea fan) says...
It's a surprise Cristian Ronaldo is being branded a factor in Sunday's game against Chelsea. Pls give him a break; he should fully recover first. Already, he's chickening out already by poking accusation at Chelsea defenders. D persons to worry about in d whole of Man U, presently are Scholes and Tevez. Having said that, it'll take more than a miracle for Man U to get a result from the Sunday match.U're dead right, Merson. Aston Villa is miniature Liverpool. Take them for granted and u are sunk but give them some respect, they come unstuck. I believe the match will end one all
Posted 11:08 19th September 2008
Bhavesh Patel (Manchester United fan) says...
Every season, at this point of the season...there is supposedly a 'crisis' at Man United.."oh no they've started poorly, Chelsea are going to win the league", "Chelsea are the team to beat" they say. Well, by February it becomes United. This is our time now, last season it was Tottenham that relit our flame, with that Nani goal, this season it will just have to be Chelsea. The season starts here, end of September..as it usually does for United!! Prepare to hear loud renditions of "Stamford Bridge is never full, oh Stamford Bridge is never full, unless your playing Man United, oh Stamford Bridge is never full"
Posted 10:48 19th September 2008
Dony Orlando (Manchester United fan) says...
It think Paul has got it based on his experience, but for sure football isn't always same as the prediction. Chelsea needs a lot of work to compare to United's triumph, though they made a poor start, but looks at the end just like last season, wipe your tears Chelsea as United came to crush you. 3-0 for united (CR7,WR10,DB9). And make sure that FA choose the right reff and please dont take it back again what you have been spit in the ground.
Posted 10:21 19th September 2008
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