Grand Slam Sunday will be interesting.
And both games might be exciting.
It’s always best for me not to write about games like Arsenal-Chelsea until the day of the game, when I’ve had time to feel my way into the event.
But I can’t guarantee to write anything tomorrow or Sunday, although I’ll post my final preview thoughts here at noon on Sunday, if poss.
On a Friday afternoon before a Sunday afternoon game, it’s guesswork.
My gut feeling is that Arsenal won’t lose to Chelsea and Manchester United won’t lose at Anfield.
I expect Arsenal to win or draw. And I expect United to win or draw.
But if Chelsea win, and United get a draw, the top three will all be on 37 points. That’s what I call a title race.
I can tell you two things about Chelsea fans : most are gutted that Avram Grant has been given a four-year contract. And many haven’t trusted the noises coming from AW regarding the fitness of Arsenal players who would make a huge difference to the Chelsea game. That may be paranoia on their part. Fans can be very neurotic and paranoid before games like this one.
Grant will go with Lampard-Makelele-Mikel in midfield.
He knows his best three players are missing: Drogba, Carvalho and Essien. If I was managing Chelsea, I’d pick the side that would put L@ampard in shooting positions most often.
Liverpool had a cup final in Marseilles and that’s why I don’t fancy them to beat Man United, who fielded a reserve team in that 1-1 game against Roma.
It’s Torres and Stevie G versus Ronaldo, Tevez & Rooney. Growing up in an Evertonian family, and then playing for Everton, Rooney will love it, just love it, if United win at Anfield.
Will Arsene pick Eboue and Diarra ?
I don’t think so. But he might start Eboue.
Overall, I reckon his best players are fit enough, and despite his comments about not gambling with three or four, I expect Arsene to go with his preferred first eleven :
Almunia ; Sagna Toure Gallas Clichy ; Hleb Flamini Fabregas, Rosicky ; van Persie, Adebayor.
More at noon on Sunday.
PS : Friday 6.30pm update from training ground : Everybody is fit, everybody trained, everybody is up for it.
Attitude of Arsenal players : Bring ’em on !