By dixon9
March 18 2007

Chelsea eyes, again, will be on Old Trafford to begin with today. Big Sam’s Bolton make the trip to Manchester and whilst their recent form hasn´t been encouraging, the return of Davis may inspire them. Come on Notlob! At least a draw eh lads?

We’ve narrowed the gap to 6 points now – it´d be nice if by 4:55 today it was 4 thereby cueing squeaky bum time for the Mancs.

 

We will have nine games remaining in the league after this fixture - five at home and four away. After Sheffield United, we face Tottenham, Manchester United, Bolton and Everton at home and away to Watford, Newcastle, Arsenal and West Ham.

 

Whatever the outcome in Manchester, Chelsea of course must get the 3 points in London.  These are the sort of games that can trip you up – sometimes when playing teams near the relegation zone, their players can be that little extra bit fired up.  Still, they have a 7 point cushion so maybe they might decide to not put their foot on the pedal too much and conserve energy for future battles against easier fodder.

 

We have now gone eight hours 42 minutes since conceding a goal in the league and have scored first in more Premiership matches than any other club (23).

 

Chelsea will also be keeping in mind Monday’s FA Cup replay against Spurs at White Hart Lane, and this could result in a not quite fit Essien again being rested.  Wayne Bridge and Joe Cole are still out although the latter has begun running and kicking a ball about.  This will also be young Mikel Obi’s last game out of his 4 match suspension.

 

The Blades have defender Chris Lucketti and midfielder Mikele Leigertwood still out but midfielders Tonge and Montgomery both return after suspensions.

 

In the pre-match conference, Mourinho said; "I still think in relation to the Premiership, their (Man Utd) position is better than ours. That is obvious.

 

"They have six points more but the good thing is that we are winning matches."

 

Meanwhile, Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock had these so true words to say on Mourinho:  "No disrespect to Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger but it was a two-horse race before Mourinho.

 

"He has ruffled a few feathers and it has been great for English football.

 

"Yes he is a bit too good looking but other than that there is nothing much wrong with him." (Shades of Cough’s words also on Mourinho).

 

 

Chelsea: Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Geremi, Diarra, Carvalho, Essien, Terry, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Makelele, Ballack, Drogba, Shevchenko, Kalou, Wright-Phillips, Boulahrouz.

 

Sheff Utd: Kenny, Davis, Jagielka, Kozluk, Armstrong, Morgan, A Quinn, S Quinn, Fathi, Tonge, Montgomery, Hulse, Stead, Kazim-Richards, Geary, Seck, Gillespie, Bromby, Bennett.

 

I reckon we´ll go 4-3-3, playing more or less, the same side as at City in midweek (resting Shevchenko for Monday – or possibly putting him on the bench);

 

Cech, Diarra, Terry, Carvalho, Cole, Makelele, Lampard, Ballack, Robben, Drogba and Kalou.

 

I´m going to go for a 3-0 prediction.