Happy Sunday everyone. Its a day for worship and rest, but in English football, it’s a day for cracking football. The games on offer today promises ecstacy. Manchester United host Chelsea in a deeply crucial premier league tie while Arsenal and Manchester City will battle to the death in the Carabao Cup final.
Here’s a little preview on these two games and what to expect from them.
Manchester United vs Chelsea
Old Trafford, 15:05
Based on the sheer volume of fans these teams command, this is arguably the most anticipated game on the Premier League calendar. However, the build up to this fixture has been dominated by the intense personal rivalry between their respective managers, The sometimes obnoxious Jose Mourinho and the very fiery Antonio Conte. Both men were involved in a war of words earlier this year and all these has made this game all the more sweeter.
Chelsea played incredibly well in midweek against Barcelona at Stamford Bridge and were unlucky to leave with a draw. They are however in danger of missing out on a top four league finish. A loss here coupled with an expected Tottenham win over Crystal Palace will leave them in fifth place. The blues also come up against a United team that have conceeded just 5 goals at home all season, making their task of winning a monumental one.
Liverpool’s win on Saturday has knocked Manchester United off second spot and the Red Devils will now focus on strengthening their top four position because in truth, Manchester City will win the league. A win here will restore them back to second though. United were time and time again exposed defensively against Sevilla in midweek but for the umpteenth time, David De Gea was thier saving grace. United though have good looking attack on paper with the likes of Martial, Lukaku and Rashord capable of causing problems for any defence. However, they have failed to properly function in tandem with Alexis Sanchez and this has left their attacking build up looking somewhat laboured.
What to expect: This will be a low scoring game with little excitement. Manchester United may have struggled defensively in recent games but as highlighted earlier, they rarely conceed at home. Mourinho is expected to set up his team in a defensive shape in other to limit the attacking threat of Conte’s men and this will have an adverse effect on their attack. Chelsea on the other hand have good wide men in Hazard, Willian and Pedro but they lack a centre forward capable of causing problems for United defence. Olivier Giroud 5plays best with his back to goal while Alvaro Morata is desperately off form.
Arsenal vs Manchester City
Wembley, 17:30
The first English trophy of the season is up for grabs at Wembley this evening. Arsenal have a chance to put some gloss on their disappointing season by winning the Carabao Cup while Manchester City will be aiming for a win here to hand Guardiola his first trophy in English football.
A lot was said about Arsenal’s midweek home loss to Ostersunds in the Europa league. The Gunners looked bereft of ideas and woeful in defence. This has been one major theme of their season so far. They are way off the pace in the race for the top four finish and given their constant continental struggles and the quality of teams in the Europa league, the Carabao Cup is their only shot at a trophy this season. However, Wenger has moulded his team into a fine cup team in recent times. They have won 9 straight Wembley Cup fixtures in a row, a run that have produced three F.A. Cups and three Community Shields and City need to be wary of that.
City had their hopes of a sensational quadruple ended last weekend when a Will Grigg (...on fire) goal knocked them out of the F.A. Cup so you should expect them to be fully motivated for this one. They have been the pace setters in league all season, their football has been one of style and great substances and are backed by betting companies as heavy favourites here.
What to expect: Man City to win. Arsenal may have defeated them on the road to winning the FA Cup last season but this is a different city team all together. They’ve been transformed by Pep Guardiola and I really can’t see this brittle Arsenal side winning this tie. Sorry Gunners but this will be a City win