Chelsea v Manchester United - This is no ordinary game.

It's the biggest game of the season and of that there is no question. The two sides who have shared the Premier League title in the last six seasons but on very different paths right now.

United have been on a fantastic run and all credit to them. Just one defeat away at Wolves is an impressive record. Sitting four points clear at the top of the Premier League and fifteen points clear of Chelsea albeit we have a game in hand, United have been cruising this season picking up valuable wins.

One thing remains that Fergie, the United players and their fans know so far this season, they haven't played Chelsea until now. United have only won once in 12 games at the Bridge, although confident and knowing the difference a defeat would make for both clubs, would still not want to lose this one. Some might say it's all in Chelsea's hands to take the game to United, to get the win and to make a real statement of intent between now and the end of the season. We all know it's not that simple.

This is Chelsea v United. This is no ordinary game.

United scoring for fun are a dangerous animal tonight and one we have to be aware of. The likes of Nani, Berbatov, Rooney and Hernandez will look to capitalise on any Chelsea slip ups. They will look to impose their experience on the game, to slow it down and to look for any sign of Chelsea weakness to then hit us on the counter.

They have a hard working midfield who will look to press Chelsea when we have the ball and will look to move it quickly themselves when they have it. Chelsea's midfield and wingers need to work as hard as United's tonight if we are to establish a foothold in the game.

Their weakness is the heart of their defence. Vidic remains a rock, and Evra a constant threat. We are yet to see who plays down their right but my money is on John O'Shea for his height, but it's the fact that Smalling is playing in place of the injured Ferdinand and Evans that we should look to expose.

Smalling has done well since he came into the side but let's be honest here, he hasn't faced a Didier Drogba, Fernando Torres or a Nicolas Anelka now has he?. Tonight will be a true test for everyone but for Smalling he needs to rise to the challenge he will be faced with, whoever plays for Chelsea.



For Chelsea it's a must win game. Ancelotti is talking of top four as the aim but I don't buy into that at all. If we win this one, we go fourth above Spurs by a point and two points behind City with a game in hand. This has to be our aim, to take each game step by step and to see where it takes us.

For Chelsea it's a matter of pride tonight. To show the world we are on the way back and will be a force to be reckoned with both in the Premier League and Champions League this season. Two big signings have come in and will be looking to continue to impress.

In my mind one defiantly starts (Luiz) as for Torres we will see. Torres has previous with United and with Vidic and god knows we want that to carry on tonight. If Ancelotti decides to go with Didier Drogba then Vidic hasn't got it easy by any stretch of the imagination. United are in for a hard time.

With Luiz added to the ranks we look strong and solid at the back once again. The question will remain if he plays at right back or in the middle. For me, right back tonight.

Our midfield has options and looks strong once more. However, we still need to see alot more from Essien and Lampard if we are to pick up our form and a run of wins. Lampard has shown glimpses until now, tonight we need more. The same is also said of Essien. We need these two to play well tonight.

For me tonight is about who starts up top for Chelsea. Does Ancelotti decide to use all three? Or does he go with two up or one up as part of the 3 up front in a 4-3-3 formation?. How can he consider leaving Nico Anelka out after his performance with Torres in Copenhagen?. How could he leave Torres out after his performance there and another full week at Cobham as he continues to settle into life at Chelsea?. Then again, how on earth can you leave Didier Drogba out?. Carlo did at Old Trafford and he came on and sealed the win for us last season. Will he do it again?.

It has all the makings of being a classic but at the same time being a dull affair as both sides could possibly cancel each other out. I have pointed out the United weaknesses here, let's hope Chelsea can capitalise on them.

I think it's safe to say United would be happy with a draw and would quite easily take a point back up north. Chelsea must win the game. I just wonder if Chelsea will produce the kind of performance we know they can and really put a marker down tonight. To do that, we have to play at a quick tempo and move the ball forward and wide quickly. We cannot afford to get sucked into a slow paced game.

Right now I would bite your hand off for a win and three points no matter how we get them. However, this United side, is not the same as it used to be. Isn't as strong as it used to be and has flaws in their game that I have exposed and they could cost them tonight.

It's up to Chelsea to step up, expose them and to make them pay. I just wonder if we will see a Chelsea side tonight that will step up and get the job done.

KTBFFH.