Chelsea vs. Manchester United: UEFA Champions League Preview
Chelsea will play host to Manchester United in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, 6th April. The Blues will be looking to avenge their defeat in the final of the 2007-08 competition, when United beat them 6-5 on penalties in Moscow.
Chelsea beat FC Copenhagen in the round of 16 to qualify for the last eight of the competition. On the other hand, United edged past Olympique Marseille to qualify for this stage.
Chelsea
The Blues drew with Stoke City in their last league match, leaving them trailing league leaders Manchester United by 11 points.
With the league title getting out of reach for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, and having been already knocked out of the FA Cup and Carling Cup, the UEFA Champions League is the Blues only hope of winning silverware this season. Chelsea topped their group ahead of Marseille, Spartak Moscow and MSK Zilina.
Chelsea have not lost to Manchester United in their last nine outings, having won on six occasions. The Blues will try to make the most of their home advantage in order to stay on course for their first trophy this season.
Manchester United
Sir Alex Ferguson’s side extended their dominance at the top of the Premier League table at the weekend and are still on course to win the Treble. The Red Devils topped their group ahead of Valencia, Rangers and Bursaspor. United have the meanest defensive record in this year’s competition, having let in only two goals in the campaign.
United will be looking to improve on their record against the Londoners, as they have won just one out of the last five games against them.
Team News
Chelsea
There are no major injury concerns for the Blues however, the absence of David Luiz is a big blow for Chelsea. The Brazilian defender is cup-tied and is ineligible to take part in the game after having represented Benfica in the earlier stages of the competition, before moving to Chelsea.
Branislav Ivanovic is expected to partner John Terry in the heart of the Chelsea defence while Jose Bosingwa will start in the right-back position.
Manchester United
United are struggling with injuries to their defensive players, with Rio Ferdinand, Rafael Da Silva and John O’Shea out of this game. Chris Smalling will continue to start alongside Nemanja Vidic in central defence. While Edwin Van Der Sar is expected to start after being rested in the weekend fixture against West Ham United.
Players to Watch
Nicolas Anelka
The Frenchman is Chelsea’s most prolific goal scorer in this year’s competition having scored seven goals so far. He is most likely to earn a starting place ahead of Fernando Torres, who has been misfiring since his arrival at Stamford Bridge.
Javier Hernandez
Hernandez has been a revelation for Manchester United since his arrival at the club at the start of the season. The Mexican has scored 17 goals in his debut season with the club and his pace and movement could cause Chelsea’s static defence huge problems.
Prediction
Chelsea have had better of United in their recent battles, but given United’s prolific current form and Chelsea’s slump of late, it is hard to choose a winner in this game. Prediction: 1-1