Chelsea vs Manchester United: Let's bring down the London Bridge!

Ahead of tonight's game, I was interviewed by Chelsea's No.1 Fan Super Super Subhro. If you would like to have some banter with the Russians, jump over to his blog.

Blue4ever:Would you take a point right now from this game at the Bridge?

GiggsisGod: We have been reminded plenty of times in the build up to the game about how United have not won at the Bridge since 2002. Sir Alex certainly will not be proud of that record and will be going for a win. Moreover, for probably the first time in the Abramovich era, Chelsea look beatable at home. A draw is the least I would expect.Anyway, the league leader should not be happy with a point against a team competing for a place in the Europa League, right?

Blue4ever: Hmmm, we shall wait and see about that now. Why do you think you haven’t been able to leave South-West London with more than a point, at best, for so many years now?

GiggsisGod: Abramovich’s millions made you a very formidable side. Mourinho made Stamford Bridge a fortress. Hell, he still has that unbeaten league record at home! Last season, appalling refereeing cost us three points. Considering you beat us to the league title by one point, you should consider giving Martin Atkinson a league winner’s medal.

Blue4ever:Tactically, how do you see the match panning out?

GiggsisGod: As has been the case with Chelsea-United games over the years, it’s going to be intense yet unenterprising. United will look to dominate possession and slow tempo down in the first half to silence the crowds. You will see more attacking intent in the second half. Chelsea know United players shit in their pants when Torres has the ball, so Ancelotti will have a simple message to his players – “Get the ball to Fernando”. Of late, both Chelsea and United have been suspect against crosses. So, both teams will view set pieces as the best goal scoring opportunity. And clumsy Ramires tackling will go unpunished throughout the game.

Blue4ever:Starting dilemma? Who starts for you? 4-5-1? I suspect Park would have started, but his injury might pave a way for 2 strikers as well.

GiggsisGod: It’s definitely going to be a 4-5-1 with 3 in the middle. Carrick, Fletcher and Scholes in central midfield; Nani and Giggs in the wings. Van der Sar, O’Shea, Smalling, Vidic and Evra will retain their positions in defence. It will be a tossup between Berbatov and Rooney for the lone striker slot. Although he had an outstanding game against Wigan, Fergie’s emphasis on 3 in central midfield will rule out a place in the starting 11 for Chicharito. Fergie picked Rooney ahead of Berba against Arsenal and City and that trend is likely to continue. Personally, I would pick Berbatov for two reasons. First, even though Rooney has been getting plenty of Fantasy Premier League points, he has been fairly ugly to watch (yes, his football too). Second, Berbatov is the effing top scorer of the league. If you don’t play him in important games, it’s not going to please him. It shows the manager doesn’t trust him enough and that’s not going to help his confidence. I was hoping for a one match ban for Rooney so that Fergie doesn’t have this selection dilemma. Screw the FA!

Blue4ever:What’s with Rooney? Should he be playing at all in this game?

GiggsisGod: If you are talking about Rooney escaping the ban, it was a sensible decision and for once, the FA have not made an example out of our players. I’ll direct you to this blog to see the number of instances where the FA have treated United unfairly.He doesn’t deserve a spot in the starting 11 for the kind of form he is in though. Berba and Chicho have done much better than him. But, do remember, we have to sell him this summer. His market value goes down if we don’t play him often. So…

Blue4ever: Well, the blog does list instances, and yet at the most opportune times, one can't deny that the referees have favored United. You get some, you lose some. Moving on, SAF has a knack for making superstars, and it looks like Nani is next on that list. Any guesses who could be the one after that, since we really do not follow the United reserves.

GiggsisGod: Anderson, Chicharito and Macheda all have the potential. 18-years-old Ravel Morrison is tipped to be the next big superstar. With his off field antics, he is also tipped to bring the best out of Sir Alex’s man management skills.

Blue4ever:Guy to watch out for: Chelsea

GiggsisGod: Torres. He has always troubled United. Vidic, probably the best defender in the world, looks uncharacteristically shaky against this Scouser. I think Torres has had a good season overall; his goals tally don’t paint the real picture.

Blue4ever:Guy to watch out for: United

GiggsisGod: Nani. He has had an outstanding season. Cashley will repent after the game that he should have done his homework on Nani instead of indulging in shooting people’s legs.And it’s the eve of Sir Ryan’s 20^th anniversary in top flight football. So watch out for Giggs dribbling past Fat Frank, nutmegging “Tiny Tears, Captain Leader Legend” John Terry, and chipping Cech to win the game in stoppage time.

Blue4ever: Looks like Arsenal is the biggest threat to you guys. What can you say about their loss at Wembley, and more bad news seemingly on the way with a Van Persie injury?

GiggsisGod: Arsene Wenger admitted his players were “devastated” after the Carling Cup final loss. This will further weaken the confidence of the already mentally fragile Arsenal players. Van Persie’s injury is reported to be a minor one and he will be out for only a couple of weeks. In these two weeks, they play Barcelona in the Champions League, a league game, Leyton Orient in the FA cup and if they win, a trip to Old Trafford next weekend. So, the van Persie injury is not going to hurt them much. ;)With respect to the league title, it is United’s to lose. It is going to be a massive 4 days for us. If we stay ahead of Arsenal by the end of this week, we’ll be league champions for a record 19th time.

Blue4ever: Predictions?

GiggsisGod: 1 nil to United. Chicharito to come on as a second half substitute to score the winner.

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