Chelsea and Manchester United Clash in UEFA Champions League Quarters

Wednesday, April 6th, 2011 at 11:50 am , filed under Champions League by admin

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The English derby in the quarter-finals of Champions League between Chelsea and Manchester United kicks off at 18:45 GMT on 06 April 2011 – Stamford Bridge, England.

Chelsea is having the best attack in Europe and looking the same in this game. They have been drawn seven times against English opponents, six times in the knockout stage of the tournaments. Out of those six, Blues has advanced three times.

Chelsea has been unbeaten against Manchester United on Stamford Bridge for the past nine years, won six and draws three of the nine games.

Chelsea has played fourteen English Premier League games this season at Stamford Bridge. On home ground, Chelsea has won ten, drawn two and lost two games and this ranked the Blues 2nd in home team performance in the English Premier League.

Chelsea has three extraordinary players like Drogba, Torres and Anelka. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has announced Drogba will be at the bench. While Torres has not been useful at all for the Blues for now, David Luiz has scored already two goals and has been outstanding on the back of Chelsea.

However, the key players Luiz and Torres will not be able to participate in this game, since they already participated in European tournaments with other sides (Liverpool, Benfica).

Manchester United has won all four games, when they have been drawn against English opposition. But, now they have received only two goals, so far in Champions League.

Sir Alex Ferguson has lost all of his three Premier Leagues against Carlo Ancelotti. The side posses the best goalkeeper Van der sar, who has saved 93% of the shots on his target.

Manchester United has played sixteen English Premier League games this season away from home. On away ground, Manchester United has won five, drawn eight and lost three games and this ranked the Red Devils 5th in away team performance in the English Premier League.

Rio Ferdinand has recovered from the injury problem, but it is too early for him to start in such important game. Ferguson announced Smalling and Vidic, as central defenders. Darren Fletcher is definitely sidelined, while John O`Shea and Wes Brown will probably miss the game too.

I think Chelsea can repeat that great performance once again. The home advantage is also very important and I expect a home victory here.

Possible starting line up:

Chelsea: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Malouda; Anelka and Torres.

Manchester United: Van der Sar; Fabio, Smalling, Vidic, Evra; Valencia, Carrick, Scholes, Nani; Rooney and Hernandez.

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Tags: Chelsea and Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester United Champions League, Manchester United and Chelsea Quarter-finals, Manchester United and Chelsea UEFA