Chelsea v Manchester United - Preview + Live Video Stream
By Paul Dargan
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Stamford Bridge will be the focus of most eyes in World Football later today, as the top two in the Premiership clash, in what should decide who will walk off with the title this season.
What has turned out to be the most crucial game of the season has coincided with both sides reaching the last four of the Champions League and both sides came away from their First Leg’s with encouraging results; Chelsea even bagging an away goal – thanks to the generosity of John Arne Riise.
The Londoners are determined to gain a result which will keep their slender hopes of a third title in four years alive, and manager Avram Grant is hoping for a win to turn the tide and go on level points with the champions.
"We don't want them to take the title here, or to become champions at all," said Grant at Friday’s Press Conference.
Anything other than a home win would leave the visitors virtually assured of sealing a 10th Premiership title but Grant says his team have not given up hope of overtaking their rivals.
"We are happy that we're still in the race for the championship," said Grant.
"The players are highly motivated. We are at home and we want to win. We did what we needed to do in Liverpool. It was a Champions League semi-final away from home at Anfield.
"We did what we needed to do. The game was good for us. United also played away from home on Wednesday, but this game will not be the same.
"They are a proud team and in first place, and they will come to Stamford Bridge knowing that we're still in the fight.
"But we are a team that's come from fifth to second place, showed a lot of spirit and mounted a good recovery from a sometimes difficult situation.
"It is difficult to beat us and we have shown a lot. The pressure's good. I hope I have weeks like this all my life. It's an exciting week. We've worked hard to come to this situation. We want to enjoy it now."
"There is a great incentive for us," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot is hoping his players can recover enough following a difficult trip to the Continent in midweek but feels confident they will be in good order for the visit to Chelsea.
United returned to Manchester with the aggregate score at 0-0 following the Nou Camp meeting, in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final – the night after Chelsea drew their match-up with Liverpool.
"What we have to do first is get the players recovered from Barcelona. Hopefully we will be all right," Ferguson added.
"We have the disadvantage of a day's less rest than Chelsea and then there is the travelling of course.
"The game takes care of itself in terms of focus; we just have to make sure we are properly rested and prepared.”
If there is any hope for Chelsea to get a positive result, it lies in their fantastic home form. It is 65 games since they were last defeated at Stamford Bridge – a 1-2 reverse to Manchester United’s European opponents, Barcelona on 22nd February 2006. They have an even more astonishing league record; Arsenal were the last team to come away with three points, with a 2-1 win, strangely enough almost 2 years to the day before on 21st February 2004.
Their last defeat in the league this season came at the Emirates, in December – their only loss in 28.
Manchester United’s top-flight away form though, means that they will be formidable opponents today. They themselves are unbeaten in the last 16 home and away in all competitions, which was the FA Cup Quarter-Final against Portsmouth, 0-1. They also without defeat on their travels this calendar year, with four wins and three draws; the last ground they failed to take points from was Upton Park on 29th December, losing 1-2.
This Premiership campaign, they are imperious. They have the most wins (25), the least amount of dropped points (24), most goals scored (73), and least goals conceded (19).
If there was any key stat though, it is that United’s form against the ‘Big Four’ this season is the most impressive – 100% record at home, beating Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, and away winning at Anfield and drawing at the Emirates.
Early team news suggests that following the passing of Frank Lampard’s mother, he will not be present in the Chelsea squad. But Michael Essien does return following his suspension for Wednesday’s clash at Anfield.
Manchester United are hoping that Nemanja Vidic will be fit to start at Stamford Bridge, after his missed the Barcelona game with a stomach complaint. Ferguson has also hinted that he may make a few changes and Ryan Giggs is expected to feature.
See todays matches live from our LIVE VIDEO STREAMS PAGE. Follow the link and choose which match you would like to view. Open in internet explorer for live stream through the webpage. Download sopcast if you haven't already.
Stamford Bridge will be the focus of most eyes in World Football later today, as the top two in the Premiership clash, in what should decide who will walk off with the title this season.
What has turned out to be the most crucial game of the season has coincided with both sides reaching the last four of the Champions League and both sides came away from their First Leg’s with encouraging results; Chelsea even bagging an away goal – thanks to the generosity of John Arne Riise.
The Londoners are determined to gain a result which will keep their slender hopes of a third title in four years alive, and manager Avram Grant is hoping for a win to turn the tide and go on level points with the champions.
"We don't want them to take the title here, or to become champions at all," said Grant at Friday’s Press Conference.
Anything other than a home win would leave the visitors virtually assured of sealing a 10th Premiership title but Grant says his team have not given up hope of overtaking their rivals.
"We are happy that we're still in the race for the championship," said Grant.
"The players are highly motivated. We are at home and we want to win. We did what we needed to do in Liverpool. It was a Champions League semi-final away from home at Anfield.
"We did what we needed to do. The game was good for us. United also played away from home on Wednesday, but this game will not be the same.
"They are a proud team and in first place, and they will come to Stamford Bridge knowing that we're still in the fight.
"But we are a team that's come from fifth to second place, showed a lot of spirit and mounted a good recovery from a sometimes difficult situation.
"It is difficult to beat us and we have shown a lot. The pressure's good. I hope I have weeks like this all my life. It's an exciting week. We've worked hard to come to this situation. We want to enjoy it now."
"There is a great incentive for us," said United manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
The Scot is hoping his players can recover enough following a difficult trip to the Continent in midweek but feels confident they will be in good order for the visit to Chelsea.
United returned to Manchester with the aggregate score at 0-0 following the Nou Camp meeting, in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final – the night after Chelsea drew their match-up with Liverpool.
"What we have to do first is get the players recovered from Barcelona. Hopefully we will be all right," Ferguson added.
"We have the disadvantage of a day's less rest than Chelsea and then there is the travelling of course.
"The game takes care of itself in terms of focus; we just have to make sure we are properly rested and prepared.”
If there is any hope for Chelsea to get a positive result, it lies in their fantastic home form. It is 65 games since they were last defeated at Stamford Bridge – a 1-2 reverse to Manchester United’s European opponents, Barcelona on 22nd February 2006. They have an even more astonishing league record; Arsenal were the last team to come away with three points, with a 2-1 win, strangely enough almost 2 years to the day before on 21st February 2004.
Their last defeat in the league this season came at the Emirates, in December – their only loss in 28.
Manchester United’s top-flight away form though, means that they will be formidable opponents today. They themselves are unbeaten in the last 16 home and away in all competitions, which was the FA Cup Quarter-Final against Portsmouth, 0-1. They also without defeat on their travels this calendar year, with four wins and three draws; the last ground they failed to take points from was Upton Park on 29th December, losing 1-2.
This Premiership campaign, they are imperious. They have the most wins (25), the least amount of dropped points (24), most goals scored (73), and least goals conceded (19).
If there was any key stat though, it is that United’s form against the ‘Big Four’ this season is the most impressive – 100% record at home, beating Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool, and away winning at Anfield and drawing at the Emirates.
Early team news suggests that following the passing of Frank Lampard’s mother, he will not be present in the Chelsea squad. But Michael Essien does return following his suspension for Wednesday’s clash at Anfield.
Manchester United are hoping that Nemanja Vidic will be fit to start at Stamford Bridge, after his missed the Barcelona game with a stomach complaint. Ferguson has also hinted that he may make a few changes and Ryan Giggs is expected to feature.
posted by ArsenalReview.co.uk @ 10:01 AM
2 comments
2 Comments:
Think United will take it today!
You can also watch this game here:
Man Utd v Chelsea Live UEFA CL Final 21st May 2008
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