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Ten Year Itch...

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Records are made to be broken or in this case winless runs (10 years infact).

Manchester United are faced with positive and negative problems, the negatives are self evidant in them concededing first in 8 of 12 games this season and the positive problem is which striker/s to use. The latter is something Sir Alex would much rather have sleepless nights on because "I cant understand our defending" he said. Roberto di Matteo (RDM) undoubtedly would love to have the strikers lined up as United do.

Last season when United visited Stamford Bridge they did so knowing that captain John Terrry will be missing in the Chelsea back four and this time around he sits out again.  RDM will hope history does not repeat itself as last season a Andre Villas-Boas Chelsea squandered a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with United. 

The number 10 is quite prominent in this fixture, besides the 10 years, it has now been 10 games since United  last walked away with all three points there. Number 10 at Manchester United is also in a rich vein of form and I can see him playing a big part in which way this encounter goes.

Sir Alex will feel a win this Sunday is not just necessary but long over due. Is there any team Manchester United has visited 10 times and not won? Do they have to win this tie? Will a Chelsea defeat signal a dip in there unblemished start to their campaign? I've always felt that Chelsea, as good as they are, haven't really been tested in the English Premier League (EPL) thus far. They passed a stern test last week at Spurs and will do well to keep it up with United next then Swansea, West Brom, Livepool and City. If The Blues find themselves on top of the EPL come 1st December they will be hard to catch.

Don't get me wrong the team to beat is Chelsea and with City they are the only remaining unbeaten teams in the EPL. At times the Hazzard,Oscar and Mata midfield trio of Chelsea have been breath taking so United will have their work cut out for them, of this I'm sure.

Team News
Lampard & Kagawa are out of this clash both having injured themselves in mid week, while Chris Smalling might make the United bench.
My Predicted starting XI

Fernando Torres has six goals in 14 appearances for Chelsea this season, and is just one shy of his total from last season.
  • David Luiz has scored in both his appearances against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.
  • In Chelsea’s seven Premier League wins this season, they have only gone into the break behind in one of those victories
  • If you break down the 10 meetings Chelsea have six wins and four draws at Stamford Bridge against United
  • Juan Mata and summer-signing Eden Hazard - conjured up five goals and 10 assists in seven league starts together



My predicted starting XI

  • Robin van Persie has scored five times at Stamford Bridge; the best record of any visiting player.
  • Since signing for Manchester United, Javier Hernandez has scored in four of the Red Devils’ seven clashes with Chelsea, while Wayne Rooney has also scored in four during the same period.
  • Sir Alex’s side have only been in front at half-time four times in 12 matches this season, and have gone on to win all four.
  • United strikers Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie have contributed three goals and five assists in only two league starts together.

So the for me it's Manchester United to come away with all three points, at last . . .
and get that itch under control.

Jade Christopher Bentley Adams @ JCBA

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