Chelsea desperate to bridge gap Chelsea FC know they must take three points from Manchester United FC on Saturday to prevent the Premier League champions from all but defending their crown.
‘Exciting time’ The eagerly-anticipated showdown at Stamford Bridge will go a long way to deciding who lifts the trophy this year, with Chelsea capable of eliminating United’s three-point lead and their rivals eager to double it with two games remaining. Given that their goal-difference advantage currently stands at 18, that would effectively resolve the equation in the Red Devils’ favour. “It’s incredible to think what can be won and lost,” commented Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Čech. “Every game is like a final now. It’s an exciting time for everyone.”
Home record Victory for Avram Grant’s men would set up a tantalising end to the season, but they will undoubtedly have to fare without inspirational midfielder Frank Lampard, in mourning after the death of his mother on Thursday. That has cast something of a shadow over the fixture, though Chelsea will be loath to surrender their impressive home record at such a crucial time. The Blues have not lost a Premier League encounter at their west London home since February 2004.
European boost They are also likely to be buoyant after John Arne Riise’s last-gasp own goal earned a 1-1 draw at Liverpool FC in their UEFA Champions League semi-final opener on Tuesday. “There’s no doubt Chelsea’s morale will have been boosted,” said Sir Alex Ferguson, sounding a note of caution despite his own side’s useful goalless draw in their last-four contest at FC Barcelona the following day: “What we have to do first is get the players recovered from Barcelona. We have the disadvantage of a day’s less rest than Chelsea and then there is the travelling, of course.”
Vidić lift The outcome of those first-leg ties slightly increased the chances of Saturday’s opponents meeting again in Moscow on 21 May, but while Chelsea cannot afford to look that far ahead, Sir Alex may rest players with Europe in mind. That could mean starts for Ryan Giggs and Nani – both substitutes on Wednesday – while there was good news from Nemanja Vidić. The Serbian defender was expected to miss out again with a stomach upset, but he is now poised to feature, meaning Wes Brown will return to right-back.
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