Nobody is going to win the league on Sunday, but I believe Chelsea need to win this game if they want to finish the season as champions.
Manchester United couldn't be playing any worse right now. I've watched them a few times this year and they're not playing well at all and yet they still sit second in the table.
They've rescued three points with injury-time goals against Sunderland and Manchester City - and Gary Cahill could have taken another two off them if he'd scored a very good chance in the last minute for Bolton. United could very easily be sitting in the middle of the table, but somehow they could end up going top on Sunday.
Drogba: can he be stopped?
United are only going to get better and that's why Chelsea need to win this game. When Chelsea play this badly during the season will they keep grinding out results like United have?
After some small blips against Wigan and Aston Villa, Chelsea have bounced back unbelievably well. Bolton is a difficult place to go and they won 4-0 there, which is a phenomenal result.
They are at home, they are the in-form team and they're playing a side that will be their biggest threat at the end of the season but are not playing well right now. There's no point in being cagey, they've got to go for it.
Paul Merson
Quotes of the week
Chelsea v Man Utd
3.30pm, Sun, Sky Sports 1 & HD1
It's no surprise to see Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka playing well together. I played with Anelka and he's one of the best centre-forwards around - while Drogba is probably the best.
Previous Chelsea managers have been putting Anelka out on the wing, which is no good because he's somebody who can stretch a game through the middle and score goals. I'm glad Carlo Ancelotti is playing them as a front two because you wouldn't swap them for any other strike partnership in the world right now.
Joe Cole has come back into the side and has been like a new signing (which is useful if they can't buy anyone in January!). I remember when he was at West Ham he was a showboater, he turned me inside out with a trick once, but didn't have any end product.
That has changed and he has improved immensely. He can see a pass, he knows when to get rid of the ball and I think he should be given a free role on Sunday.
Take it
He could be important because Chelsea need to take the game to United. They are at home, they are the in-form team and they're playing a side that will be their biggest threat at the end of the season but are not playing well right now. There's no point in being cagey, they've got to go for it.
There's no better time to be playing United. The forwards aren't clicking and when a team isn't playing well Dimitar Berbatov has less impact. He's not as lazy as he appears to be, but he's only at his best when the ball's at his feet.
And at the back they are all over the place. I would expect Jonny Evans to play and they've got to hope Nemanja Vidic is fit. Wes Brown got slaughtered against CSKA Moscow, whose strikers are nowhere near as good as Drogba.
It's vital that United defend well and the ball must stick with the strikers when it goes forward. If United sit back and play for the draw they will be undone by Chelsea's forwards so they have to go for it as well. That's what makes this such an intriguing game.
It's early in the season so I can't see why either side won't want to go out and attack.
But if Chelsea don't win this game, I think Man United become favourites for the title.
PAUL'S PREDICTION
Home win - I can't see United controlling Drogba because he's unplayable right now. He looks fully fit and he feels wanted at last and with United's defensive problems I can't see how they can stop him. That's why I'm going for a home win, 3-1 to Chelsea. It will be close, but maybe Chelsea will pick United off at the end to extend the scoreline.
MERSON'S MAGIC MAN
Nemanja Vidic - If United want to win it he's got to play - and play well. If United can stop Drogba they've got every chance, but if he and Rio Ferdinand don't play then I can it getting very messy for Man United. It could even be 4-0 if he doesn't play.
Comments (38)
Enmat Enmatye (West Ham United fan) says...
this is an after Match comment, however, I had seen some frustration on Man U clubes for two reasons. one they had come with hope of twin and get the three point. if not happen draw will not help them. secondly, if they draw artsenal is behind them and chasing tille would be more costly. on this regard, the players were involving with the Referee, trying to intimadate and made change his decission. Especially, one of the wekest player make more truble for Manu. In fact he Goal was the result of his ill will effort tht costed Manu. the refree had left him for several times. It appers that in the Primier league , it is only Manu you has the right to WIn, go and intimadate referei and even Sir Alex , he do not want to admit deafts and acknoledge the strength of the other team. Whenever there is defet balme the referi and bring feeble reason not ot accept. I thinnk Manu you has to lern it is a competion. if it is not , then we do not need to to go the stadium and send the Cups to Manu. office with return maill. we have seen so many drama which favored Manu. but Sir Alex complained of the goal and the refree. which is not fair at all. Seriously advise Fletcher or bench him for caosting you 3 pints.
Posted 22:02 8th November 2009
Paul Wood (Manchester United fan) says...
So much for 4-0 Paul. Evans and Brown are both class centre halves, Evans in particular will be the cornerstone of uniteds defence for many years to come. Drogba and Anelka never got a look in and it took a rediculous peice of refereeing to beat them.
Posted 21:56 8th November 2009
Lewis Carter (Aston Villa fan) says...
As much as Chelsea has a better squad, playing better football & are at home you cannot write off Mnchester United. True sign of a champion is to win when it matters... Manchester United seem to do that even when playing badly & not the same team since loosing Ronaldo & Tevez... To be where they are without a £100 Million worth of talent shows you cannot write them off.
Posted 15:21 8th November 2009
Kjartan O (Manchester United fan) says...
Easy 3-0 victory for Chelsea, I'm afraid. United hasn't got the big name players in midfield anymore. As everybody could see in Liverpool, they are not comfortable when they're pressured in midfield and they couldn't put in the effort required to overcome a poor scouser team(I will not talk about the ref here, who for some reason couln't let Liverpool get one yellow for obstructing Uniteds every attack). Anyhow, if United could get the ball going the same way they did in second half in midweek, it could get interesting, but I don't think Chelsea would let them. They just don't have the midfield that could counter Chelsea's at the moment.
Posted 09:03 8th November 2009
Lusungu Mwaungulu (Manchester United fan) says...
What ever is being said here about the Red Devils form and free scoring Chelsea.Mind u the blues are playing United and there is only one United the defending Champions of the Premier League. The Stamford Bridge is burning down on Sunday
Posted 04:01 8th November 2009
Neil Pearce (Chelsea fan) says...
Not sure if Aman Patel understood the article. Maybe the mancs have got good youngsters for a team in 3 or 4 years time. Unfortunately the game is tomorrow and the other young manc players - Giggs, Scholes, Van Der Saar, Ferdinand, G Neville (banned I know) will run the old fellas of Chelsea ragged. Ha ha. The Chelsea age argument is a tired one and only brought up by old red nose last season as part of his usual psycho skills. It should be noted that only last week he effectively back tracked on that. Me thinks 2-1 to Chelsea with Rooney red carded
Posted 16:51 7th November 2009
Aliyu Rufai (Manchester United fan) says...
This is a match between the two best english clubs at the moment and i expect them to even the result. Chelsea may look better and sharper, but United can nevere be under-rated if the players like Fletcer,Anderson,Rooney come to the party. In a contest like this, the eventual outcome wont change the complexion of which team will emerege as the eventual champions.
Posted 11:58 7th November 2009
Jack Fuller (Chelsea fan) says...
i belive chelsea will win the game we have turned stamford bridge into a fortress this year and in the last 3 home games scored 13 goals and conceded 0. the chelsea players will be confident knowing united arnt playing brilliiantly and with rio out and vidic doubtful on fitness drogba and anelka will be ready to take the united defense apart i still think this years tite race will be between the two sides but think chelsea will have too much at the weekend for united. come on you blues
Posted 15:30 6th November 2009
Ben Holloway (Manchester United fan) says...
Manc devil are you sure about life?? we need to get behind the boys really feel being massive underdogs is good no pressure and ever one expecting us to lose! also ando and fletch will start i should think unlike at anfield also would like to see obertan on the bench and nani to be no where near starting 11!! reckon paul merson is wrong united to win 2-1 at the libary
Posted 15:06 6th November 2009
Soibibo Whyte (Arsenal fan) says...
Everybody's talking about Drogba forgetting united also have an outstanding & powerful poacher in Rooney. I tell u whoever is fielded, sunday's game is surely going to be a cracker. As a gunner, i only wish 4 a draw. My predictn 2-2, with chelsea getting a late goal.
Posted 15:01 6th November 2009
Brian Coogan (Chelsea fan) says...
I agree with Paul McMahon. I never feel comfortable when we go in to these big games with everybody talking us up. We are playing the current champs and regardless what kind of form both teams are in this will always be a tight nail-biter! Form means nothing coming into games between the big four as can be backed up by Liverpool beating United a couple of weeks ago. However I dont think we'll get beat Sunday and will gladly take a sloppy 1-0 victory!
Posted 14:56 6th November 2009
Paul Gibbons (Fulham fan) says...
There is a sense of fear amongst the players and supporters of united, i have never seen so many of united players come out and talk about one game for me thats a bad sign, Chelsea on the other hand they all seem relaxed and add the good news of the ban being suspended you can't help but think its going to be nothing more than a chelsea win.
Posted 14:20 6th November 2009
Joe Odonnell (Manchester United fan) says...
chelsea have more strength on the the bench and a better midfield for eg we have park ji sung in are starting 11 he would never get in chelsea first team we are just not good enough chealsea win due to manchesters lack of strength in the middle and in defence chelsea win 2-1
Posted 14:15 6th November 2009
Joel Buckle (Manchester United fan) says...
Sorry Paul, but i have to disagree because Chelsea couldn't finish off the bigger teams at home last season so it may affect them come Sunday night. United, on the other hand, are getting better and are developing a togetherness as the season goes on which is the tradition of the league. So I can't see Drogba playing when Vidic and Evans mark up. My prediction: Chelsea 0-2 Man Utd
Posted 14:12 6th November 2009
Jonathan Torpey (Chelsea fan) says...
Throw the form book out of the window these are two teams that do not like each other, never have, and never will. Take top managers who won't need to say much to their respective squads and expect a game more akin to a cup tie than a league match. Fergie was realistic enough at the beginning of the season to come out and say Chelsea will be the biggest threat to United this season. As usual the ref will play a part lets hope the guy doesn't want to be the star of the show and he lets them play. All I will say is if I was a United defender i'd be having nightmares thinking about Drogs and Nico, their defence is a shambles and will be exploited to the full. Merse i like your prediction.
Posted 14:10 6th November 2009
Dan Welsted (West Ham United fan) says...
I would go against form on this one, if Man Utd can keep Chelsea quiet for the first half I think they will have a great chance of nicking it. They will relish in being the underdog for once and I think they have the ability to frustrate the hell out of Chelsea and have the power up front to win
Posted 14:10 6th November 2009
Doreen Roberts (Chelsea fan) says...
I think it will be a very close game and the most important person on the pitch will be the ref. As we all know both teams can play very good football so we need to have a ref who will let them do that and not allow himself to be influenced by the rantings of the players.
Posted 13:46 6th November 2009
Nikhil Patel (Manchester United fan) says...
Chelsea are definitely in-form and United aren't playing well. Completely agreed but, United do have equal talent and on the day of a big match like this, the cliche is often true, form goes out the window and depends which team wants it more and plays harder. I think United will come out with fire in their blood, well I hope they do. Also, it is easy to mention United's points earned in injury time and ifs and ands however, are we forgetting opening day when an intended cross earned Chelsea 2 points or at the death goal against Stoke for Chelsea? United aren't playing well but, they will win this game, I feel it in my bones simply because so many people have written them off ... and that they are the Champions and they will show their true selves.
Posted 13:32 6th November 2009
Conner Botterill (Manchester United fan) says...
I really hate to say it but i fear for us on Sunday, i agree we haven't been out of 2nd gear and yes we've picked up points along the way and that's the sign of champions but after watching us against liverpool the first big, tough away game since cristiano moved on we looked ragged and toothless, we lacked that lightning pace on the counter which Ronaldo gave us, he was the only one who could, when we were defending a corner, find himself winning us one within 10 seconds, I'm massive wayne rooney and dimitar berbatov fans but they cant do that, it's not part of thier game. Drogba, at the moment is unplayable, i hope to god i'm wrong but i can't see us getting anything from the game. Fletcher is a massive bonus to have back mind you and his bite in the middle might hand us a lifeline, we need 11 strong performances and that hasn't happened once this year with maybe the exception of spurs away. If we can win it, i do believe we can go anywhere and win because for me although it pains me to say Chelsea are the team to beat in europe this year.
Posted 13:14 6th November 2009
Tom Graham (Manchester United fan) says...
Now I wouldn't agree Paul if anything I think that United will either draw or nick it because the same thing happened Chelsea last season when they were hammering teams and united weren't playing and the game was drawn, their season then collapsed after Christmas and with the ANC on after Christmas this season and no drogba, Mikel, essien or kalou for six weeks plus recovery time as well this will be a more important game for them so that's why I think we will get something out of this game, MUFC FOR LIFE
Posted 12:35 6th November 2009
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