Champions League Predictions: Man Utd vs Chelsea
By Chris Wright
Thanks chiefly to Ryan Giggs’ stately first touch, Manchester United will go into their Champions League quarter-final second-leg tie with Chelsea at Old Trafford tonight a solitary away goal to the good.
While United are steadily rumbling their way toward a prospective domestic and European treble, Chelsea are effectively scrapping on one last front in the hope of salvaging anything from their muted season – with continental glory their last chance to validate Roman Abramovich’s January cash influx and, if several month’s worth of tittle-tattle is to be believed, Carlo Ancelotti’s position at the helm.
Abramovic has seen Chelsea fall at the semi-final stage of the Champions League on four separate occasions since he took over (let alone the penalty shoot-out debacle against United in the 2008 final) and duly pumped £75-odd million into the squad at the turn of the year with the express intention of staving off the fifth premature ejaculation of his tenure – which, you may of have thought, have ramped up the pressure to deliver on Ancelotti’s part.
Apparently, not so:
“No, there is no jeopardy. My future is already decided, I don’t have a problem about [the United] game. It’s not important to speak with Roman. When I have a contract, everything is okay with him.
“A lot of times, I’ve said that pressure, for me, is [not a bad thing]. Pressure keeps me focused and concentrated, and gives my players the possibility to do their best. I’m focused on this.
“I know it will be difficult [tonight], but we have a lot of possibilities to play a fantastic game. To be involved in this game is fantastic for my job, for my career – so I’m not afraid, I’m not worried about this.”
Optimism aside, the omens aren’t looking overly promising for Chelsea, as while United have the lowest goal tally (10 in nine games) of the eight sides remaining, they have also only conceded two goals on their run to the quarters and picked up seven clean sheets in the process – with an eighth of the campaign more than enough to see them progress tonight.
And there’s more; Sir Alex’s side are also unbeaten in Champions League football against all English opposition, with a record of three wins and a draw against Premier League opposition.
So there.
Pies says:
Man Utd 1-1 Chelsea (United go through 2-1 on aggregate)
You say?
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Eeekkk…I got a bad feeling for the Blues tonight. I’m imagining Jose and Guus names in tomorrows headlines. Unless Carlo starts with Drogba and Nico, I think we’ll be chasing our tails. If it’s 0-0 at half time say goodbye.
if it’s 0-0 at half time chelsea will be jizzing everywhere.
my prediction? I predict paaaain….for Chelsea that is
Chelsea are a team that can hold their side till its over. No matter the number of goals against them, its not over until its over. They can fight until the last drop of their blood. Something tells me there will be a miracle tonight. Expect the toughest match of the season.
gonna be a nail bita, 2-1 chelsea, torres gets the winner
Should not underate the blues. Who be most fearing losing? ManU will see havoc tonight.
Chelsea must win the game…very sure about it…0-2, and Chelsea go through.
Man Utd 1 – Chelsea 2. No much talk.
2-1 going to Chelsea, Torres to score winner.
Fergie’s side is a bit too cocky and their midfield is utter shite.
2-1 Chelsea
Torres, Lampard
Rooney
2×0 for Man United, Rooney and Chicharito.
1-1, torres misses a sitter in the last minute of the game after a sublime finish earlier to open his account.
2-0.
Goals from Vidic (maybe? Set piece? I feel dangerous today) and Rooney.
I doubt Torres could find the net for a U16 squad right now, I don’t think he’ll find the touch at Old Trafford.
for all you chelsea cupporters that predicted a win. lol. hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahaahahahahahaaa
MaN u LL WIN sCORE IS 3-2