Post #2: Big Match Build-Up Manchester United vs Chelsea

Yes, it is it. The "El Clasico" of British Football, featuring the 2 strongest clubs in England. Manchester United and Chelsea, managed by Sir Alex Ferguson and Carlo Ancelotti respectively. And of course, I hope this match promises to be more than a dull affair.

The past match ups between both teams have been slightly tilted in Manchester United's way, based on statistics but not because I'm currently wearing my Manchester United jersey as I rack my brain on what to type. Most recently, United triumphed over Chelsea 3-1 in the F.A. Community Shield with the most peculiar of goals from Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez as we can all remember. Further behind, we remember 3 consecutive wins for Chelsea in the League and the preceding season's F.A. Community Shield. As we roll back the years, we have the magnificent 3-0 win of Manchester United over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge and a 1-1 result in the Old Trafford leg. And for the pride of Manchester United fans, it should be the Champions League triumph in Moscow in the rain during the Double Year of 2007/08.

All the above are decided with players now gone. C.Ronaldo, C.Tevez for Manchester United, and M.Ballack, J.Cole for Chelsea. So how will the teams match up? By prediction the Manchester United line-up would be: Van Der Sar, Rafael, Vidic, Ferdinand, Evra, Nani, Fletcher, Park, Giggs, Berbatov and Rooney. Chelsea's would be: Cech, Ivanovic, Terry, A.Cole, Alex, Malouda, Kalou, Lampard, Essien, Drogba and Anelka. Of course, this is only a prediction and we can't be sure if I'm right or not. Vidic will look to stifle the attacking threats of Drogba and Anelka with his defending and awareness of situations while United look to break the Chelsea backline with the presence of Rooney and the touch of Berbatov. But I think this is a game which would be decided in the midfield. Essien will hope to protect his back four from the flanks which will be bombarded by Nani and Park. While watching Manchester United play for quite a number of years, I hope I'm not wrong to predict that Giggs will be the midfield lynchpin while Nani and Park execute attacks on the flanks and Fletcher to mark out Lampard from the game. Essien will then try to get hold of Giggs by playing as the CDM in the diamond formation and Lampard will try to scatter the Manchester backline. A.Cole and Ivanovic or P.Ferreira will attack from the flanks leaving acres of space for Nani and Park to exploit if they get pass Essien. But well, how will the match really play out? No one knows.

Game on.