The Big four Clash this weekend: Liverpool v Man Utd & Arsenal v Chelsea - Skipper Predicts
Sky are building this weekend’s meeting between the big four as 'grand slam' Sunday. This is the first time these clubs are going head to head on the same day this season. I am taking a close look at how the matches will pan out.
Liverpool v Man Utd
Liverpool haven’t beaten Man Utd at Anfield since 2001, which should give Fergie’s men huge confidence going into this monster battle.Liverpool are in a good run, with the exception of the Reading game they have been in scintillating form.
Matches between these two teams are always very tight. Both teams have a solid back four. The strikers will have to be on top of their game to come out on top.
Liverpool need to play with two up front. I think we should play with the same team that battered Marseille, except I would go with Crouch to partner Torres.
Which ever team scores the first goal will go on to win this game. Liverpool will need to start the game on the front foot and put United under pressure from the kick off.
Skipper Predicts: 2-1
Arsenal v Chelsea
Part II of 'Grand Slam Sunday'.
This is Arsenal's first match since their defeat to Middlesbrough last weekend - their first league loss of the season - and represents a big test for the young Gunners.
Chelsea, who are doing the business quietly but effectively at the moment and fast looking like dark horses for the title, travel to The Emirates in the knowledge that they haven't been beaten on Arsenal's turf since 2003.
I think Arsenal will get back on track and sneak this one. I like the way Arsenal attack teams, the loss of Essien and Drogba will affect Chelsea. Arsenal on the other hand will get some of their injured players back.
Skipper Predicts: 2-1
posted by Skipper at 12/14/2007 11:19:00 am
EFT match of the season for 2008/2009: Barcelona construct a masterclass footballing performance to defeat the reigning Champions League holders and current English champions, Manchester United, by a scoreline of 2-0 in the 2009 Champions League final in Rome
EFT player of the season for 2008/2009: Chelsea central midfielder, Frank Lampard
EFT player of the month for May 2009: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for April 2009: Andrey Arshavin (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for March 2009: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2009: Phil Jagielka (Everton)
EFT player of the month for January 2009: Nemanja Vidic (Man Utd)
EFT player of the month for December 2008: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2008: Nicolas Anelka (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2008: Dirk Kuyt (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for September 2008: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for August 2008: Amr Zaki (Wigan Athletic)
EFT match of Euro 2008: Turkey's amazing comeback from two goals down to beat Czech Republic 3-2 as captain Nihat Kahveci's two goals in the last three minutes sensationally put his country through to the quarter finals at the expense of their beaten opponents
EFT player of Euro 2008: Spain (anchor) central midfielder, Marcos Senna
EFT match of the season for 2007/2008: Liverpool win titanic Champions League quarter-final second leg 4-2 against Arsenal that also saw two of the best football moments of the season - Fernando Torres' top corner strike and Theo Walcott's thrilling run across the whole of Anfield.
EFT player of the season for 2007/2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for May 2008: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for April 2008: Ashley Young (Aston Villa)
EFT player of the month for March 2008: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for February 2008: David James (Portsmouth)
EFT player of the month for January 2008: Ronaldo (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for December 2007: Roque Santa Cruz (Blackburn Rovers)
EFT player of the month for November 2007: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for October 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester United)
EFT player of the month for September 2007: Francesc Fabregas (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for August 2007: Fernando Torres (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for May 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for April 2007: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for March 2007: Carlos Tevez (West Ham Utd)
EFT player of the month for February 2007: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for January 2007: Thierry Henry (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for December 2006: Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester Utd)
EFT player of the month for November 2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for October 2006: Jussi Jaaskelainen (Bolton Wanderers)
EFT player of the month for September 2006: Andrew Johnson (Everton)
EFT player of the month for August 2006: Nwankwo Kanu (Portsmouth)
EFT match of World Cup 2006: Italy win a thrilling 'end-to-end' World Cup semi-final 2-0 against Germany courtesy of two late extra time goals from Fabio Grosso and Alessandro del Piero 
EFT player of World Cup 2006: Italy captain and centre-back, Fabio Cannavaro
EFT match of the season for 2005-2006: Liverpool win the FA Cup final 3-1 on penalties against West Ham after a Steven Gerrard-led fighback saw the Anfield side recover from 2-0 and 3-2 down to level the match in normal time
EFT player of the month for May 2006: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for April 2006: Jamie Carragher (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for March 2006: Robbie Keane (Tottenham Hotspur)
EFT player of the month for February 2006: Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Middlesbrough)
EFT player of the month for January 2006: Jason Roberts (Wigan Athletic)
EFT player of the month for December 2005: Steven Gerrard (Liverpool)
EFT player of the month for November 2005: Robin van Persie (Arsenal)
EFT player of the month for October 2005: Frank Lampard (Chelsea)
EFT player of the month for September 2005: Danny Murphy (Charlton Athletic)
EFT player of the month for August 2005: Wayne Rooney (Manchester Utd)
EFT match of the season for 2004-2005: Liverpool win Champions League final 3-2 on penalties against AC Milan after sensationally recovering from 3-0 down to level the match in normal time
5 Comments:
To be pedantic, we beat Utd in the FA Cup fixture last year at Anfield but I dont expect the same result. Liverpool have been scoring plenty when they do first, so to grab the first goal would be ideal, yet we did this with the other two top teams that ended in a 1-1 draw. That could be the same score on Sunday. If we take the game to Utd instead of being cautious, and are 2-0 ahead at half time we should then repeat the same in the secodn half.
Note Utd's two defeats have been away and by a single goal. If Liverpool turn up as they have done mostly this season, then it will be an even contest where some skill, flair or a lapse of concentration will make the difference. We want this to be further in the race for the title. Players should play out their skins in this game for Rafa.
RedsMan.
12/14/2007 5:25 pm
Redsman i agree with your comment but we all should hope that rafa's right hand man's(skipper) prediction will become true, we need to get goals and get them in the first half, i hope the burglary incidents dont effect the players concentration especially for stevie.G. what do you think the score for the arsenal game is going to be.
12/14/2007 7:48 pm
Difficult one. Arsenal at home, crowd behind them, quick, rapid responding defence of Toure and Gallas, Fabregas may or may not make it and if he does his quick responding passing and movement will be instrumental with Diaby and potentially Gilberto in a five man midfield in front of Lampard, Mikel and Makelele. I expect Adebayor in a 4-5-1 upfront or Wenger could be bold and go for the fight with 4-4-2 with RVP with Adebayor.
The midfield will have to play a quicker pass-and-move game with Chelsea seeking to shut them down quickly, that in itself could open up Chelsea if Arsenal get to pass round them quickly towards goal. Any rash movement could see a five pass move raising to danger for the Blues. Terry and his partner will have to think and move sharp.
Chelsea still dont have Carvalho who is touch and go and could deputise with Alex or Ben Haim alongside Terry (I would go with Alex), between Belletti and Bridge or Cole. Three man midfield of Lampard, Mikel and Makelele, behind a good choice of players out of SWP, Malouda, Kalou, Pizarro, J Cole, Sidwell and Shevchenko.
I would go with SWP on the right and Malouda on the left either side of Kalou. Pizarro gives height and strength in the same way that Viduka does, and that is suitable for J Cole to supply. going with Kalou could mean goals from anywhere, though he failed against Valencia. I see SWP as a breakthrough to supply low balls across the box for Kalou or Lampard, Malouda to give the higher crosses.
Chelsea have looked vulnerable previously and their wins have help overlook this threat. What is helpful is that they have weathered dangerous attacks and turned on the counter into goals. Both sides can deliver superb goals depending on who is on the ball and any difference in class could be the gap that forces a win.
Something tells me this will be a draw, one can draw on the other in pushing themselves to score, where if one scores, that spurs the other to go seeking an equaliser without fail, like keeping with the Joneses. I can see RVP scoring if he is benched due to 4-5-1, even better if he comes on with Arsenal in a 4-4-2 change after 60mins, or Adebayor using his strength on Terry. Pizarro could do the same but I sense Chelsea should go for sleekness and tenacity and so Kalou is Chelsea's likely scorer, unless Lampard/Rosicky/Fabregas try from outside the box.
This is tricky. An Arsenal corner could open up for Gallas coming round the back, and I feel Arsenal will have the quicker counterattack response. I feel for a 2-1 to Arsenal, Gallas on 35mins, Chelsea through Lampard on 63min, RVP on 77mins.
RedsMan.
12/14/2007 11:48 pm
I was looking forward to your weekely predictions this week given the big matches. I actually see both matches ending in draws as I don't see much between the four teams at the top.
But I don't think this weekend will have a big bearing on the title race at the end of the season. Its the resukts against the middling and lower teams that decides the title which has been the case in recent years.
12/15/2007 3:43 pm
Redsman, that is an unbelievably accurate prediction for Gallas to score the first from a corner! Well done!
12/16/2007 7:58 pm
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