Manchester United and Chelsea plan photo finish and group hugs

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1. March 21, 2007Tomas

   The way things are going atm, I can’t see us (MU) not winning at least 2 trophies, even though I know it’ll be extremely difficult with the opposition we face. But we’ve been very very good and had the luck we needed at the right moments so far.

   We actually went through a patch of poor form, but we won every match anyway (Lille away, Fulham away, Reading away, Liverpool away, Lille at home). Since the Arsenal game, we’ve won every game that was important. The only draws have been in the FA, and we’ve put them away in the re-matches. Now we seem to be back in form despite a tired performance against Middlesborough, and once we get our players back, they’ll have all the energy needed for us to go all the way.

   I’d say there’s a very decent chance of winning the treble, although luck will always be a factor.

2. March 21, 2007kris

   United will win the league (and the Guardian should issue a pages-long apology, conceding they are shit at the business of pre-season prognostication).

   The cups are far more difficult. Chelsea have, I think, the easier road to the CL final. I see their opponents being Milan, who, for all their present lack of form, are always a team capable of just “turning it on”. United may again find in Milan, their ousters.

   I too fully expect a United - Chelsea final at Wembley. I’m still reeling from the men-against-boys, 3-0 drubbing that United suffered at the Bridge in last season’s penultimate league fixture…United are in flowing form, but they’re anything but clinical, and with Drogba having a career-defining season and Sheva *finally* showing his class, I could very well be throwing my television out the window, swearing at Rooney’s and Saha’s profligacy as the clock winds down on a 2-0 Chelsea victory.

3. March 21, 2007Aayush

   The treble seems difficult. I think the Premiership will be in the bag, since I feel that Chelsea have tougher opposition in the remaining fixtures. Also, I agree with kris about the FA Cup final - Let’s hope we have no further injury worries!

4. March 22, 2007Andy C

   I think United are capable of winning the next 6 league fixtures which (even if Chelsea win all their matches) might mean clinching the title at the council house and being presented with the trophy at Stamford Bridge.

5. March 22, 2007Hugo Steckelmacher

   I’m betting on Chelsea going out of the Champions’ League in the quarters

6. March 22, 2007Sophy

   It’s going to be very tough to win the treble. With matches Chealsea waiting ahead, United has to give their best to go through all these evil opponents. But with United good form so far, i do have belief that United has a good share of the chance to win the trophies. When i think of Ronaldo performance, it give me a sign that we could win any trophies provided that we have some luck.

   good luck United.

7. March 22, 2007Kevin

   I dunno, from the looks of things I’d have to say it’s all down to the next couple of matches in the EPL for both clubs.

   I can only see United possibly dropping points against Blackburn, Portsmouth and Everton. Benni McCarthy might just do the job against a United that are faced with a tough schedule, remember what happened last season Blackburn vs. Chelsea. Portsmouth have had a resurgent season, but I don’t think they can overcome united, Chelsea better pray that David James and Sol Campbel have an amazing game and can keep united at a draw. Everton did the job against Arsenal recently and I think they could have won it on three separate occasions before their goal, so don’t write off the striking prowess of Andy Johnson. Okay, so West Ham are having a peak period and are playing for their survival, but I think by that point they will already be relegated so I doubt they will put up that much of a fight, also they have been very flaky in their form thus far. So in the worst case scenario for United, or best case for Chelsea, United to drop 8 points from a possible 24. More likely though, Man Utd to drop only 3 against Everton.

   Now Chelsea, they have a tough match against Tottenham in between their CL games. Tottenham are looking for revenge after being knocked out of the FA cup and may just capitalise on Chelsea looking towards their CL game. I’d have said Newcastle would be a problem, but we have very little in terms of fire power and our defence are still in shambles, just look to our game against Charlton, I can’t see Chelsea losing points against us. Arsenal face the same problem, but Arsenal have a quality side and may be able to hold Chelsea to a scoring draw, but without Henry and now Walcott, they’re lacking flair and pace, I don’t think that van Persie and Adebayor can carry the team by themselves. Chelsea might drop 3 points, but more likely to drop 2.

   Chelsea vs. Man Utd, let’s look at the expected injury list for both sides, Chelsea have Joe Cole out, but Robben and Wright-Phillips have proven to work well together. Man Utd have Silvestre out, but they have no shortage of cover, Heinze and Evra. Chelsea have had problems at the back all season but if they can keep JT fit through their hectic schedule, they might just be able to keep Rooney in check. Man Utd’s defence has looked pretty solid with Vidic having an absolute cracker of a season, Van der Sar has been their saviour multiple times this season, his injury appears minor and should be ready and match fit for the showdown. Chelsea’s attack are strong with Drogba consistently scoring goals and Sheva finally finding his scoring touch. Man Utd have struggled in the goals department, Rooney has been their only consistent striker, Saha has failed to impress this season, Solskjaer and Smith have been hampered by injuries, but smith seems to be improving after his showing against Bolton with his assist. I see this game being pretty much down to whether Vidic can out-jump Ballack at the set pieces and whether Ashley Cole and Ferreira/Bouhlarouz can keep up with Ronaldo and Giggs switching from wing to wing. I’ve seen Ronaldo get the better of Ashley Cole a couple of times when United played Arsenal, Ferreira hasn’t shown the form that he displayed in his first season, and Bouhlarouz has made a few too many mistakes for my liking this season. My prediction, Man Utd to win this tie and the title.

   In the CL, Man Utd have the tougher of the schedules, but bear in mind that Chelsea have lost to Liverpool a couple of times and every time they’ve played against each other in the Champion’s league. I think that Valencia might just do it against a Chelsea that are lookin to the title race with the scoring power of David Villa and Morientes. Man Utd can probably do the number on Roma but I see a repeat of last season’s Man Utd vs. Milan. Neither team to win the CL.

   FA Cup final, in the spirit of being consistent, I think at this point Chelsea and Mourinho know that their reputations lie on trying to win at least this major trophy, and Man Utd will probably be content to rest on their laurels. Chelsea to win the FA Cup.

8. March 22, 2007donie

   There are no medals being handed out yet and it is foolish and tempting fate to suggest otherwise. The league will be more then enough for me but I wont be satisfied that we have won it until it is mathematically impossible for us to be caught. We will need luck to get to the finals of the other two competitions, let alone win them. We are in a good position but we havent won anything yet.

9. March 25, 2007COOL

   heheheehehe

10. March 27, 2007dodecahedron

    Hmm, there seems to be a rather surprising lack of mention of Liverpool here. We are talking about a trophy which United sneaked in the final seconds eight years ago and which Chelsea have never come close to winning. Liverpool won it two years ago and have an exemplory record against Chelsea in cup competitions (one League Cup Final notwithstanding) since. I predict United v Bayern in one semi and Liverpool v Chelsea in the other. If this is the case United should win through and the other tie might just as well go to penalties from the off. Whatever happens I think an English team is nailed on to reach the final and almost certainly to win. Going on the form of all the teams left in the competition and the way the draw has worked out United should be favourites. And we all know how successful favourites have been in the competition in recent years. Apart from Barca last year when was the last time the favourite won? It’s all very open but you write off Liverpool at your peril.