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Friday, 17 April 2015
Match Preview: Chelsea Vs Man Utd; Reading VS Arsenal (FA Cup)
Louis van Gaal's resurgent Manchester United face their toughest task to date when they travel to Premier League leaders Chelsea on Saturday Night Football.
United are enjoying their most successful spell of the season and head to London on the back of five consecutive victories, the latest of which being a 4-2 derby victory over champions Manchester City.
Read all at the jump ....
With a top-four finish seemingly in the bag, United know a victory could reignite their faint chances of winning a 14th Premier League crown, although victory would give a bigger boost to second-placed Arsenal.
Chelsea head into the game knowing they require just 11 points from their remaining seven games to secure a fourth Premier League crown, which would be Jose Mourinho's third with the club.
While maintaining their tilt for the title in recent weeks, the Blues have failed to show their early-season superiority, only overcoming Hull, Stoke and QPR by the odd goal in their last three games.
Chelsea will enter the game confident having lost just one of their last 12 Premier League games at home to United - a controversial 3-2 defeat in October 2012.
They have only tasted defeat at home in the Premier League once under Jose Mourinho, a 1-0 loss to Sunderland exactly a year ago.
Team news
Loic Remy could return from a calf injury which ruled him out of Chelsea's 1-0 win at QPR last weekend.
Diego Costa, who also missed the trip to Loftus Road, could return from his hamstring injury in next week's match at Arsenal. Chelsea have no other injury concerns.
Van Gaal will have to reshuffle his defence for the trip to Stamford Bridge after he revealed Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, Daley Blind and Michael Carrick would all miss the game.
With Jonny Evans still serving his suspension for spitting, United are left with Chris Smalling, Paddy McNair and Tyler Blackett as the only available centre-backs.
Opta facts
Chelsea have lost just one of their last 12 Barclays Premier League home games against Manchester United (W7 D4 L1).
Manchester United have suffered more Premier League defeats against Chelsea than versus any other side (15).
Chelsea have scored 100 goals in 47 games this season (2.13 per game) while United have 68 in 38 matches (1.79).
Juan Mata has three goals and an assist in his last three Premier League games.
Manchester United have 65 points, one more than they collected in the whole of 2013-14 (64).
Wayne Rooney has scored or assisted 120 Premier League goals away from home, the fourth highest total in the division’s history.
Merson's prediction
Chelsea will be fully focused on not losing the game. Jose Mourinho will set up to contain Manchester United. He’s done it before and, with the title on the line, he’ll do it again.
The pressure will certainly be off Manchester United. They have a bit of a free swing at Stamford Bridge but this game will be a real test of how far United have come under Louis van Gaal. They have certainly improved but this will be a real test against a Chelsea side that has been the best team in the country by a mile this season.
I think this will be a tight game and I can see it finishing in a 1-1 draw. Chelsea will definitely settle for that!
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1
Betting
Chelsea have drifted out from odds-on to evens with Sky Bet, with Manchester United attracting the majority of the backing at 11/4, while the draw is priced at 12/5. The first goalscorer betting is wide open with Loic Remy and Eden Hazard heading the market at 9/2 apiece, while Wayne Rooney tops United’s side of the market at 13/2. The Soccer Saturday pundits have made their predictions on www.skybet.com, including Matt Le Tissier predicting a 1-1 draw and Wayne Rooney to score first at 35/1.
FA Cup holders Arsenal return to Wembley to take on Championship strugglers Reading in the first FA Cup semi-final on Saturday.
The Gunners are in fine form at the moment. A hard-fought victory against Burnley last weekend saw Arsene Wenger's men seal an eighth win in a row - the first Arsenal team to go on such a run since the famous 'Invincibles' team of 2003/04.
Cup success will appease many of the doubters that Wenger still is the right man for the job, and coupled with a strong finish, should see them in good stead for a sustained title tilt next season.
Victory over Bradford City in their quarter-final replay back in mid March was Reading's last win - form which has seen them plummet down the table.
Fortunately, they are unlikely to be dragged into the relegation battle due to the gap between them and Millwall in 22nd.
Now, they can focus on enjoying their day at Wembley, and causing a huge upset by booking their spot in the FA Cup final for the first time in their history.
Team news
Reading striker Pavel Pogrebnyak will be available, having overcome a calf complaint.
The Russia international missed Tuesday's 1-0 loss to Bournemouth but has been given the green light to feature at Wembley, where Jem Karacan will captain the side should he start a third straight game after long-term injury.
Nathan Ake and Kwesi Appiah, on loan from Chelsea and Crystal Palace respectively, are cup-tied for the semi-final, but fellow loanees Nathaniel Chalobah and Jamie Mackie are available.
Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere could return from an ankle problem, Wojciech Szczesny is set to be back in goal and the likes of England duo Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck are also pressing for a start.
France defender Mathieu Debuchy may also be included in the squad again, having been out since January after needing shoulder surgery. However, captain Mikel Arteta (ankle) and midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (groin) are still not match fit.
Betting
Holders Arsenal are firm odds-on favourites to secure their place in the FA Cup final with victory over Sky Bet Championship side Reading, who are 10/1 to spring a surprise in 90 minutes and 9/2 to qualify should the tie go to extra-time and penalties.
The Gunners head into the match in rampant form and have won all 12 meetings with the Royals. Reading will, however, be hoping they can at least repeat the feat of Wigan, who took the Gunners to extra-time in last year's semi-final meeting - a 9/2 shot this time.
Olivier Giroud is in great form for the Gunners and the striker is 3/1 to net the opener and 4/5 to score in an Arsenal win. Giroud and Alexis Sanchez both to score is 5/2. For Reading, Jamie Mackie is 12/1 to break the deadlock and 9/2 to net in 90 minutes.
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