Premier League - Chelsea v Manchester United

When this game was postponed in December due to heavy snow, it could easily have been the most important game of the season in the Premier League, and it would not have been overhyping it to call it a title decider. How things have changed. 10 weeks later, and Chelsea’s deficit to leaders Manchester United has widened from 3 to 15 points, and they are out of the FA Cup, and almost certainly the title race.

Since coming from behind in impressive style against Sunderland, Chelsea have failed to win in the league, losing 1-0 to Liverpool, drawing 0-0 at Fulham, and being held over 90 and 120 minutes by Everton before going out on penalties. It’s also worth remembering that Fulham would have won but for Clint Dempsey’s prolificacy in the late stages, missing a penalty and then failing to stretch his leg out for a perfect cross.

Nicholas Ankelka - Impressive against Copenhagen

They were much better against Everton in the FA and had a grip of the game, but only at times it must be remembered and they were given an awful lot to think about in normal and extra time by David Moyes’s resurgent toffees.

The one big positive however, is their extremely easy 2-0 win over Copenhagen in Denmark, a result which will give the Blues a much need confidence booster. For all that Copenhagen gave the game away to Chelsea, there were many positive signs, including good games for Fernando Torres (who was unlucky not to score) as well Nicholas Anelka, as both players responded to recent poor form with a performance of hunger and desire, which was also epitomised by their team-mates.

Other positives include Frank Lampard, who comes into this game with five goals in his last nine games, and Petr Cech, whose solid form all season (being one of only three or four players who can boast no major mistakes) means that Chelsea have kept clean sheets in eight of their 12 league matches at home this season.

United’s late form hasn’t set the house on fire but their typical resilience has led to wins over Aston Villa, Manchester City (thanks a sensational Wayne Rooney overhead kick) Crawley Town (in a non event, thanks to a second string side), and Wigan in a very impressive 4-0 romp.

The 4-0 score line did flatter United a bit considering Wigan had two wonderful opportunities either side of the opener from Hernandez and were only denied by the brilliant Edwin van der Sar, but they won’t care and it’s timely that they put only their fourth league win of the season on the board before this game, with the Wigan win also being the first time this season they have won by more than one goal away from home in the league.

While the absence of Rio Ferdinand isn’t helpful for United, Chris Smalling has improved with every game and he looked more assured in the recent games against Marseille and Wigan. He’ll have a lot more on his plate tonight but he seems to be developing quickly into his role alongside Vidic and isn’t the weak link some see him out to be.

Darren Fletcher - Key to stopping Essien and Lampard

Nani, with his pace and power, will be the vital outlet for United in attack. The Portuguese winger sits atop the Premier League assists charts and has now entered double digits on the goalscoring front too. The services he’s performed this season have filled a massive hole for United in the shape of Antonio Valencia. The ever energetic Darren Fletcher and experienced Paul Scholes are also reassuring choices for those who fancy the chances of Manchester United, as they’re the ideal duo to keep tabs on Essien and Lampard, who will be buoyed by how their impressive game against Copenhagen; They won’t find anything nearly as easy here though.

As impressive as Chelsea were against Copenhagen, there’s been an overreaction to the ease of that win by making a a side that have only won two of their last 6 games 11/10 favourites against the league leaders. I’m seriously tempted to back Manchester United to strike a killer blow – 5/2 is more than fair for a team of their quality to take advantage of a form slump – But their away record (particularly against the big teams) is just enough to put me off and I think that a draw’s the solid option. There are some other tempting options (I notice that Boylesports will give you 10/11 about the first goal being after 27 minutes, a perfectly fair offer given how tight the game will be) but back no goalscorer at 10/1 to make a killing if the game’s a bore draw.

Advice

2 pts Chelsea and Manchester United to draw (23/10 general)

1 pt No Goalscorer (10/1 William Hill)