Manchester United go in to the big game on Sunday not having lost back to back Premier League games since November 2001 - ironically a 3-0 defeat to Chelsea at home whereas Chelsea have not lost at home since a 2-1 defeat to Arsenal in 2004.
United will want to bounce back after the poor performance last weekend which resulted in a 2-1 defeat at the hands of Liverpool. Chelsea will also want to get their revenge for last season when United went on to beat the Londoners both on the domestic stage and the European stage.
Chelsea will be without Michael Essien, who picked up an injury playing for Ghana and will miss most of the season, but will be with John Terry, who although was sent off last week - won an appeal in the week to allow him to play in the week. The skipper, who missed the penalty that would have won Chelsea the European Cup last season, brought down Manchester City forward Jo on the half way line - which at the time was deemed a sending off offense.
United could well start with both Berbatov and Ronaldo. Ronaldo came off the bench in the 0-0 draw with Spanish outfit Villarreal whilst Berbatov missed the game through injury. United fans will be concerned with their lack of fitness, however will hope for a good performance from the players. One player that will miss the game though through suspension will be Nemanja Vidic, who was sent off at Anfield last weekend. Sir Alex Ferguson is undecided as to who he should replace Vidic with - Brown or Evans. If Brown, Neville will fit in at full back - if Evans is selected again it will probably be Neville at full back if he feels ok after the midweek game.
United last beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in in 2002 with a 3-0 win. Paul Scholes, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ruud VanNistelrooy were on the score sheet that day. In the Premier League, the clubs have met 32 times with United winning nine times, Chelsea ten and thirteen draws.
The game should be a cagey, close affair with Chelsea going in as favourites. United really need to kick start their season and getting a point at Chelsea should be considered a decent result in the circumstances. A lot will depend on the fitness of Michael Ballack, who has recovered from a foot injury and could well start on Saturday - especially considering how Scholes and Anderson were hurried off the ball last weekend. Ballack was in impressive form towards the end of last and scored a header against United at Stamford Bridge.
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