Chelsea vs Man Utd | 08-Nov-09 @ 16:00 UK

The big game is upon us. If Chelsea beats Man Utd on Sunday, the title is ours.  Isn’t that a stupid thing to say. May be, but I very strongly feel that this game and the reverse fixture have a big impact on the title race. It so happens every season that the difference between the champion and the runner-up is just the points gathered from the mini-league of the top four. Getting wins in the mini-league not only creates the gap between us and the rivals but also psychologically puts us on course for the title. We started this season on a very positive note by beating Man Utd, and that too on penalties. That win set us up for a fantastic start to the league.

This season, Chelsea does not look beatable. I know Wigan and Villa beat us but we don’t look beatable. If we play Wigan and Villa again, we can probably pound them. Whereas the other rivals do look beatable. Liverpool don’t look like they’ll record a win in the next 6 months. Man Utd have been riding on their luck for too long. There is a difference between this season’s Man Utd and that of the previous seasons. In the previous seasons, when they were in a spot of bother, they were helped by moments of individual brilliances from Ronaldo and Tevez. Plus, they carried their lucky charm everytime they stepped on the pitch. This season, it is not the moments of individual brilliance that’s helping them, it’s more about the referees, lovely mistakes by opponents at the most inopportune time, acts of God etc. Which is why, I find Man Utd beatable. I know I’m not even considering Arsenal here. If they’re still a threat in February, I’ll talk about them.

I think this is the right for us to play Man Utd. Firstly, we are in top form. Secondly, our top form was checked by Atletico mid-week. Thirdly, we’ve got some of our injured players back. Fourthly, the morale is high after the suspension of the transfer ban. As per BBC, for Man Utd, Berbatov, Vidic and Giggs are doubtful while Neville, Ferdinand and Park are sure to miss. And, CSKA just scored three goals in one half at holy Old Trafford.

I’m all gung-ho about this match. I have a feeling that we’ll beat them and beat them well. We’ve got Drogba on fire, Lampard back among goals, Anelka working very well with Drogba, Deco has been fine No.10 for us and so on. We’re ripe for this match. The only concern is the defence which looks a bit shaky and unconvincing at times. If we don’t make mistakes, I don’t think Man Utd have it in them to brea our defence and beat them. On the other hand, I think we can beat them even if they don’t do any mistakes. Like last season, I think Fergie will come to London to get a draw. If he does that, he’ll get beaten for sure. Chelsea would go all out for a win. And, if we go one up, we must go for more. Especially because, our defence has been a bit shaky. Back in the TSO days, we could live with 1-0 because our defence was just incredibly accurate and play to the tactical plan. With our current shape of defence, I’d try for 2-0 once we get to a 1-0.

Don’t worry if Man Utd gets a lead. I just read that 20 of the 28 goals that we scored this season were scored in the second half. I think 2-1 would be the result. Man Utd would get their goal from somewhere – cheeky set pieces, lucky rebounds whatever. Drogba would surely score and Joe Cole to score on his 250th Chelsea appearance and on his 28th birthday!