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Chelsea is once again being tagged as underdogs ahead of this Saturday’s Champions League Final, a tag that may provide them with a reassuring familiarity as they tackle Bayern Munich on Saturday evening. Roberto Di Matteo’s side will be having their second bite at securing their maiden European Cup after heartbreak in the 2008 Final, whereas Bayern themselves are looking to secure an historic fifth European Cup triumph.
If Chelsea is to succeed in Munich then they will have to do so without four suspended players, meaning their side will have an altogether different look to those that have been fielded and been victorious earlier in the competition. The task is made all the more demanding for Chelsea as the game will be played before a back drop of Bayern’s very own Allianz Arena, as well as a crowd that will be Bavarian in their majority and certainly raucous in their support. It seems an insurmountable task for Chelsea. Maybe the underdog tag is justifiable this time? Well, maybe not.
As previously mentioned, being second favorites has been a recurrent position for Chelsea and a position they have flourished in so far this season. Twice so far in this competition they have seemingly come back from the dead; after being 3-1 down after the first leg in Napoli as well as 2-0 down (2-1 down on aggregate) in the Nou Camp, with ten men nonetheless. Both times they have managed to come through the tie and it would be naive to write them off again against Bayern. Plus, with proven big game players such as Drogba and Lampard within their ranks, Chelsea will feel they have more than a sniff of returning from Munich victorious.
Bayern is also a side who themselves have failed to fire on all cylinders in recent weeks. Dortmund trounced Bayern 5-2 in the German Cup Final last weekend and the media in Germany have downplayed their chances of winning on Saturday. Maybe their coach Jupp Heynckes has a point when he asked ‘If Chelsea can beat Barcelona over two legs, how are we supposed to beat them?’ &nbsp;It seems nobody wants to be favorites for this final!
Bayern also have its own suspensions to contend with, as Luis Gustavo, Helga Badatuber and David Alaba will all sit this one out. This will lead to a reshuffled back line as Anatoliy Tymoshchuk and Diego Contento look likely to fill in at centre half and left back respectively. Thomas Muller should come in to replace Gustavo, with Toni Kroos likely to play a more withdrawn role in midfield.
But just as it would be naive to completely write off Chelsea’s hopes, it would be equally as naive to play down the challenge that they face. Bayern Munich is a European giant who have some of the world’s best footballers. They have in Manuel Neuer many people’s top goalkeeper in the world, the ever consistent Philipp Lahm and bags of running and quality in the centre of midfield with Bastian Schweinsteiger. Factor in the threat on either wing from Arjen Robben and Frank Ribery as well as the finishing ability of Mario Gomez, they are a side that could turn over anyone on their day. Chelsea’s makeshift back line of David Luiz and Gary Cahill, who will both be played as a necessary risk as opposed to a premeditated one, will have to be at their best to contain Bayern’s front three. The last time Cahill and Luiz partnered each other in defense was during the disastrous 3-1 defeat in Napoli. Heynckes is also a manager with genuine Champions League pedigree, as he looks to become the fourth manager to win the trophy with two different sides. Turning over this Bayern side on their own path would be some achievement indeed.
Below is the line ups both sides look likely to field, as well as the key areas the game might be won and lost:
Likely Line Ups:
Bayern Munich: 
Neuer, Lahm, Boateng,Tymoshchuk, Contento, Kroos, Schweinsteiger, Muller, Robben, Ribery, Gomez
Chelsea: 
Cech, Bosingwa, Luiz, Cahill, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Kalou, Mata, Drogba
Route to Final (knock out stages):
Bayern Munich
Last 16: 
Basel 1-0 Bayern, Bayern 7-0 Basel
Quarter Final: 
Marseille 0-2 Bayern, Bayern 2-0 Marseille
Semi Final: 
Bayern 2-1 Real Madrid, Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern (Bayern won 3-2 on penalties).
Chelsea:
Last 16: 
Napoli 3-1 Chelsea, Chelsea 4-1 Napoli (AET)
Quarter Final: 
Benfica 0-1 Chelsea, Chelsea 2-1 Benfica
Semi Final: 
Chelsea 1-0 Barcelona, Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea
Key Battles:
Tymoshchuk vs Drogba: 
The Ivorian Drogba has proved to be a talismanic figure for Chelsea in the Champions League this campaign. With one winning cup final goal secured this season, he’ll no doubt be desperate for another. He will look to isolate the Ukranian veteran Tymoshchuk who will more than likely fill in at centre back. For all Tymoshchuk experience, he is a centre midfielder by trade and he will have to be up to the physical threat provided by Drogba in order for Bayern to his excellent record in finals. This area maybe Chelsea’s most fruitful from an attacking perspective, if they can exploit Tymoshchuk then Drogba can cause him serious problems.
Schweinsteiger vs Lampard: 
Whilst the German international has had some unfortunate luck with injuries this season, he has been the heartbeat of the Bayern Munich midfield in the games he has featured. At the Bernabeu in the semi final, Schweinsteiger’s tireless running and cool head under pressure helped see Bayern through after they trailed 2-0 in the opening 10 minutes. Frank Lampard will look to provide similar inspiration for Chelsea in the Allianz arena. Whilst he may not have the legs on Schweinsteiger in the middle of the park, his ability to pick a key pass or time a burst forward are just as crucial for Chelsea. Schweinsteiger will hope his box to box style is not hindered by the absence of holding midfielder Luis Gustavo, whereas Lampard will have the insurance of Essien and Mikel when he looks to break forward. Should be an intriguing battle this one.
Robben v Cole: 
According to some the best out and out winger in world football up against the best full back. Robben and Cole will know each other well from their time together at Stamford Bridge and it will be interesting to see how this one plays out. Robben has excelled in this competition over the years and has devastated teams from all over Europe cutting in from the right hand side. There aren’t many wide men who get the better of Ashley Cole however and he will be looking to add to his seventh FA Cup Final success with a first Champions League winners medal. The best way to stop Robben in the past has been to show him down the line onto his right foot, but with his pace, trickery and directness, its obviously a task that can is much, much easier said than done. Cole will need Mata work back defensively if they are to contain the dutch wizard.
Verdict: 
Everything in this one on the face of it seems to point to a Bayern victory and the whole club has been looking to this day for the past few years as an opportunity for glory. I think their suspensions will hurt them more than Chelsea’s however, as the English side can bring in two proven big money signings to cover the centre back position. I expect Drogba to cause the makeshift Bayern defence lots of problems. There will be a lot of pressure on Bayern and if they start nervously then Chelsea could capitalise. It’ll be a tight one, but I fancy Chelsea to nick this one in extra time.
Prediction: 
Bayern Munich 1-2 Chelsea (AET)
TV Coverage: 
In the United States, the game will be shown live on FOX’s free-to-air network, beginning at 2pm ET.
Follow me on Twitter: <a href="http://www.twitter.com/13mattj13" target="_blank">@13mattj13</a>

2012 Champions League Final Preview: Bayern Munich vs Chelsea

2012 Champions League Final Preview: Bayern Munich vs Chelsea - World Soccer Talk

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One question that often pops up in the English football themed chatter that I have with my mates in the pub is “Which country should we go to, to watch a football game?” Whenever this has been posed in the past, the answer that we usually settle on before our plans ultimately fizzle out due to lack of funds or the inability to get the time off work, is Germany. What could be better for a match day experience than being able to sample excellent beer (even at your seat!) and excellent food amongst the back drop of a full stadium and a cracking atmosphere? If you factor in the friendly nature of the locals and the reasonable ticket prices for a Bundesliga game, then it looks a match made in heaven for any football fan looking to sample the perfect match day experience.
When this question was posed recently however, as we looked to plan a European jaunt for next season, whilst the agreed destination was the same and the aforementioned reasons were all still valid, I found myself citing “The quality and the excitement of the football” that is played in the Bundesliga as another reason for why we should all jet off to Germany. Remarkably, nobody disagreed with me, and it would seem a point that on reflection is very difficult to argue with, as German football has undergone somewhat of a resurgence over the last decade or so. A resurgence that has had repercussions for the Bundesliga, the German national side and the rest of European football (including the Premier League).
So how and when did German football suddenly become an exciting spectacle? The process began after the German side limped out of the European Championships in 2000 in Holland and Belgium. The abject performances the side produced in that tournament were the final straw for the German FA. They saw fit that it was time for a complete overhaul of the entire country’s football system. They introduced a new protocol which saw the emphasis being placed in the development of youth players from many different cultural origins. This was the “Extended Talent Promotion Programme” which was introduced in 2002, assigning more coaches and better facilities, to all teams at all levels. Since the initiation of the new programme, an extra €10 million per year has been invested throughout the German footballing pyramid. The programme also saw that every league club in the country was to open a centre of excellence, to aid in their development of youth players.
This turnaround in mentality became evident as Germany hosted the World Cup in 2006, and the nation took pride in a more fluent German side that reached the last four of the competition. The side was lead by Jurgen Klinsmann and he began to blood future household names like Phillip Lahm, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Lukas Podolski. This investment in youth began to bare further fruit three years later. In 2009 the rest of Europe marveled at a young German side that trounced everyone in their path on their way to securing the U21 European Championships. What was most peculiar about this success was how they did so in a considerably un-German fashion. The team played with a flair, a pace and an attacking intent that the country had not seen before. A far cry from the rigid and stagnant team that ignited this whole overhaul nine years earlier.
Since this new brand of youngsters began to emerge in 2009, the Bundesliga sides began to adapt their own styles and systems to accommodate these flair players. Before the World Cup in 2010, Werder Bremen built their team around a relatively unknown Mesut Ozil, whilst a youngster by the name of Thomas Muller was looking seriously impressive at Bayern Munich. Hamburg was also making strides towards the Champions League, inspired by the youthful exuberance of Jerome Boateng and Piotr Trochowski. It was only after the World Cup in 2010 that the rest of the football world stood up and really took note of this new brand of footballer that Germany was producing. Under Joachim Low and his 4-2-3-1 system, the combination of skill and flair that these new youngsters possessed, mixed in with the solidity and experienced qualities of the old guard, resulted in the German side exceeding all expectations as they reached the semi-finals of the World Cup, easily disposing of Argentina and England on their way. Now, a decade on from the initiation of the ETTP, Germany go into Euro 2012 as many peoples favorites to win the tournament.
The refocusing of the German FA has had a considerably positive effect on the domestic front too, as the Bundesliga has also gone from strength to strength. Most Bundesliga teams have adapted the national sides system and play with a sense of adventure and vigour which has given them recent success on all fronts. Schalke 04 defied all odds reaching the Champions League Semi Final in 2011, in turn leading to the development Manuel Neuer who is now lauded by some as the world’s best stopper. This year, Bayern Munich have the chance to win the trophy on their own patch and Chelsea now stand between them and a fifth European Cup. Borussia Dortmund have now also secured the Bundesliga title for two seasons consecutively. They seemingly have a proverbial conveyor belt that keeps on producing top German “wunderkids” such as Mats Hummels, Sven Bender and Mario Gotze, all of whom are pushing for first team places in the national side. Gotze in particular is hailed as the best young prospect in the world alongside Neymar, and with the emergence of Marco Reus and Toni Kroos through the club academies, some of the top young talents in the world are now plying their trade in the Bundesliga.
It’s for this reason that Arsenal and Chelsea fans can look at their respective signings Lukas Podolski and Marko Marin with a sense of optimism. The Bundesliga now offers a perfect foundation for any players looking to trade the Germany for the Premier League and new imports from the Bundesliga have already shown signs of succeeding in the English game. Whilst in the past not all transfers from the Bundesliga sides have flourished in the Premier League, most recent January imports Papiss Cisse and Gylfi Sigurdsson have proved to be fantastic pieces of business for Newcastle and Swansea respectively. Cisse has scored 13 goals in 14 appearances since his arrival from Freiburg and has adapted superbly to the physical nature of the Premier League. His seamless transition has put pay to the cliché that foreign strikers struggle to adapt to the forceful nature of the Premier League. Sigurdsson meanwhile has been a key cog in Swansea’s ‘total football’ type approach, leading to some of Europe’s elite sides taking a good look at the Icelandic international. Edin Dzeko has also had success after his arrival from Wolfsburg in January 2011, scoring some crucial goals for City on their way to the title this season, including four against Spurs in a 5-1 win and twice against United in the famous 6-1 derby.
But what is encouraging for the German domestic game that top talents are choosing to stick it out in the Bundesliga. Retaining established players like Arjen Robben, Shinji Kagawa and Frank Ribery can only mean good things for the league, whilst world stars in waiting such as Reus (who has recently signed for Dortmund) and Gotze are choosing to remain in Germany, whilst they could jump ship for more lucrative offers elsewhere on the continent. The development of Dortmund as a genuine title challenger has also increased the entertainment value at the top of the table, as Bayern now have a serious rival in their quest for domestic success, whereas they have often strolled to the title in recent seasons.
Things are certainly looking up for the German game and the progression shows no signs of slowing up. I think I’ll definitely start saving up for next season.
Follow me on twitter <a href="http://www.twitter.com/13mattj13" target="_blank">@13mattj13</a>

How the Bundesliga Is Having an Impact On the English Premier League

How the Bundesliga Is Having an Impact On the English Premier League - World Soccer Talk

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So with the end of another memorable Premier League season in sight, there are still positions to be decided and silverware to be claimed. The final day can often be a nervous time for supporters around the world, with other results often crucial to the respective fates of their own sides. So expect soccer fans to be flipping back and forth between TV channels like mad men. And in a season of memorable twists and turns, you wouldn’t bet against further drama right up until the final whistle on Sunday afternoon.
Below is a list of all the possible permutations in respect to the title race, the battle to secure a Champions League spot and the relegation scrap:
The Title Race:
<ul>
<li>Manchester City vs QPR</li>
<li>Sunderland vs Manchester United</li>
</ul>
Quite simply, if Manchester City win then the title is theirs. With both of the Manchester clubs locked on the same number of points and with City’s superior goal difference, Sir Alex Ferguson will be hoping for a favor from Mark Hughes and his QPR side, who themselves need the points for different reasons. City has not been very generous to opposing teams at the Etihad in the Premier League this season however, only failing to secure maximum points on one occasion. If City is to slip up at all, United must win their result if they are to secure their 20th league title.
Champions League Places:
<ul>
<li>WBA vs Arsenal</li>
<li>Tottenham vs Fulham</li>
<li>Everton vs Newcastle</li>
</ul>
All three of the teams involved will be doing their best to secure third position in order to guarantee their Champions League place. This is because if Chelsea triumph in Munich, then the team finishing in fourth will be relegated to a Europa League spot next season. But all sides face potentially tricky final games of the campaign. Third place Arsenal travel to the Hawthorns to take on WBA and the England manager in waiting Roy Hodgson, in what will be his last game at the club before taking the international hot seat. Fourth place Tottenham welcome former boss Martin Jol and his Fulham side to White Hart Lane, with Fulham still in with a chance of finishing in seventh place. Whereas fifth place Newcastle travel to in-form Everton, who will themselves be looking to finish above rivals Liverpool with a win at Goodison.
Below are the potential permutations that could apply to each side in their quest to play in Europe’s premier competition next season:
<ul>
<li>If Arsenal win they will finish 3rd.</li>
<li>If Spurs win and Arsenal fail to win, Spurs finish 3rd.</li>
<li>If Arsenal lose and Spurs fail to win, Newcastle will finish 3rd if they can beat Everton.</li>
<li>Newcastle will finish 4th if they win, Arsenal win and Spurs fail to win.</li>
<li>Spurs will finish 4th if they win and Arsenal win.</li>
<li>Arsenal will finish 4th if they fail to win, Spurs win but Newcastle fail to win.</li>
<li>If Chelsea win the Champions League, the side in 4th will play in the Europa League next season.</li>
</ul>
Relegation:
<ul>
<li>Stoke vs Bolton</li>
<li>Manchester City vs QPR</li>
</ul>
QPR have given themselves an excellent chance of staying up after their dramatic late winner against Stoke last weekend. Bolton on the other hand threw away a two goal lead late on against West Brom which now see’s them two points behind QPR, but with an inferior goal difference. Therefore, if QPR can avoid defeat against Manchester City then they would be safe. If Mark Hughes’s men suffer a defeat at the Etihad Stadium, then nothing less than a Bolton victory away at Stoke will see the Trotters remain in the top flight.
TV guide for soccer fans in the United States:
&nbsp;Sunday, May 13 (all times Eastern)
<ul>
<li>Chelsea v Blackburn, 10am, SPEED/<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a></li>
<li>Everton v Newcastle, 10am,&nbsp;foxsoccer.com/<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a></li>
<li>Manchester City v QPR, 10am, ESPN2/ESPN3.com/ESPN Deportes</li>
<li>Norwich v Aston Villa, 10am,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a></li>
<li>Stoke v Bolton, 10am, FOX Soccer Plus/<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a></li>
<li>Sunderland v Manchester United, 10am, FX/FOX Deportes/<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a></li>
<li>Swansea v Liverpool, 10am,&nbsp;FUELtv/<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a></li>
<li>Tottenham v Fulham, 10am, FOX Soccer (available after midnight from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a>)</li>
<li>West Brom v Arsenal, 10am,&nbsp;FSN/<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a></li>
<li>Wigan v Wolves, 10am,&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank">FOX Soccer 2Go</a></li>
</ul>
<div>Which matches will you be watching on Sunday? Do you think QPR can upset Manchester City with either a draw or shock win? Will Manchester United beat Sunderland? Who is going to finish third in the Premier League? Give us your opinions in the comments section below.</div>

Your Comprehensive Guide to Sunday's Premier League Season Finale

Your Comprehensive Guide to Sunday's Premier League Season Finale  - World Soccer Talk

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In case you hadn’t realized, there has been quite a noticeable rivalry developing between Liverpool and Chelsea over the last decade or so. If we are to look back at recent seasons then many of the most significant, if not controversial moments have emerged about when these two clubs lock horns.
Who do you think will win the FA Cup final? Back your predictions with a free £50 bet courtesy of Ladbrokes.
These include the Luis Garcia “goal” in 2005 that paved the way to European glory for the Reds, an incident which still riles former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho to this very day. Liverpool then won their second Champions League semi final in three years against Chelsea after a dramatic penalty shoot-out in 2007. The season after John Arne Riise’s 94th minute own goal gave Chelsea the initiative to snatch revenge against Liverpool, as they returned the favor in 2008, dumping the Reds out of the competition at the Semi Final stage. Chelsea went through again in 2009 as the two sides met in a fantastic 4-4 draw at Stamford Bridge, which in turn sent Guus Hiddink’s Chelsea side into the semi-finals of the Champions League. Throw in a Carling Cup Final, managerial flare-ups and an ill tempered £50m transfer of Fernando Torres, and its fair to say that the two sets of fans aren’t exactly keen on one another.
The Liverpool faithful bait Chelsea for having “no history”, whilst the Chelsea fans respond that Liverpool’s is now “ancient”. Pretty fiery stuff.
The latest segment in the recent saga between the two clubs takes place in the FA Cup final this Saturday. And whilst both sides have struggled in the Premier League this season, the final looks set to be another explosive encounter, as they have seemingly saved their best form for the cup competitions this campaign. Liverpool are looking to record their third win in three appearances at the new Wembley (as well as their second trophy) whilst Chelsea will be looking to build on the form that has seen them reach their second ever Champions League final, after overcoming Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate in the semi final. With both sides overcoming local rivals at Wembley in games the prior to the final, their respective fans will be expectant that their team will be picking up a trophy come 8pm BST on Saturday night, in a game which looks exceptionally tricky to call.
Here’s the brief on both teams, including some of the key questions that Roberto Di Matteo and Kenny Dalglish may have to ponder before the teams kick off on Saturday.
Likely line ups:
Liverpool (4-4-2): 
Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique, Henderson, Gerrard, Spearing, Downing, Carroll, Suarez
Chelsea (4-3-3): 
Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Mikel, Meireles, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Drogba
Previous Meetings:
In the two previous meetings between the sides this campaign, the Reds have come out on top. In the Premier League game, we have seen Liverpool snatch a late winner thanks to Glen Johnson, whereas in the Carling Cup quarter final goals from Maxi and Kelly saw Liverpool secure two wins at the Bridge in little under ten days. The second Premier League meeting comes four days after the Cup Final at Anfield on May 8th.
20/11/2011: Chelsea 1-2 Liverpool (Sturridge 55′ ; Maxi 33′, Johnson 87′)
29/11/2011: Chelsea 0-2 Liverpool (Maxi 58′, Kelly 63′)
Liverpool are 11-1 to beat Chelsea 2-1 and complete a domestic cup double. Get your free £50 bet on the FA Cup final here.
Path to the FA Cup Final:
Chelsea: Chelsea 4-0 Portsmouth, QPR 0-1 Chelsea, Chelsea 1-1 Birmingham, Birmingham 0-2 Chelsea, Chelsea 5-2 Leicester, Tottenham 1-5 Chelsea.
Liverpool: Liverpool 5-1 Oldham, Liverpool 2-1 Manchester United, LIverpool 6-1 Brighton, Liverpool 2-1 Stoke, Liverpool 2-1 Everton
TV coverage:
United States: Coverage begins at 12:15pm ET on FOX Soccer/FOX Deportes (available after&nbsp;2:30pm ET from&nbsp;<a href="http://www.foxsoccer.tv/?WT.mc_id=AFF_EPLTALK" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">FOX Soccer 2Go</a>)
United Kingdom: Coverage begins on ESPN at 8am BST.
Key Battles:
Terry vs Suarez:
The Chelsea skipper will be keen to make amends for his absence in the Champions League Final by leading his team to glory at Wembley. To do so, he will have to halt the mercurial Luis Suarez who comes into the game on the back of a stunning hat-trick against Norwich. The Uruguayan has proven to be unplayable at times this season as his balance, agility and close control will no doubt be a big concern to the Chelsea back four. Terry will have to be at his best to nullify Suarez’s threat, especially if he will have to cope with the physical threat posed by Andy Carroll in tandem with the brilliance of Suarez. If the Liverpool number seven is at his best, it could tip the balance in the favor of the Reds.
Lampard vs Gerrard:
Two legendary midfielders for their teams! Such is the nature of the important goals these two have scored over throughout their careers, you would not bet against either scoring the winner on Saturday. Lampard plays a less dynamic, but as equally significant role for Chelsea these days, having operated in a deeper role for the majority of the season. He does have the insurance of Mikel and Meireles in midfield alongside him however, which allows him to continue making his trademark bursts into the penalty box. Gerrard will have to be at his best in order to control a midfield in which Chelsea’s system may see him outnumbered. He has proved to be Liverpool’s talisman in the FA Cup Final before however, after he lead Liverpool to victory in the 2006 final with two crucial goals. Lampard also has history in the final of the competition, after he netted the winner for Chelsea in 2009. Both have been ‘big game players’ over the years and the performance of each will be tantamount in determining the destination of the FA Cup come Saturday evening.
Steven Gerrard is always a sure bet to score in a big game for Liverpool. Back him at 11/1 to score on Saturday.
Mata vs Johnson:
Johnson has already netted one winner against his former club this season and has offered a quality attacking threat from full-back for the Reds. His defensive capabilities have come under scrutiny however and he will be up against one of the Premier Leagues top performers in Juan Mata. Mata will line up from the left hand side but likes to float between the lines and find space in front of the opposing back four. Johnson will have to decide when to stay tight with Mata and when to let him go in order to keep the Liverpool back four compact. Teams that have fared well against Chelsea this season have negated Mata’s influence, if he see’s little of the ball then Chelsea could struggle to break through a solid Liverpool defense.
Should Torres or Drogba start for Chelsea?:
Di Matteo, in particular has a big decision to make in regards to who he chooses to spearhead the Chelsea attack, as he must decide between Didier Drogba and former-red Fernando Torres. Both have been in excellent form as of late and the decision could prove crucial to Chelsea’s chances. Drogba has an outstanding record for Chelsea in major finals, whereas Torres scored a hattrick in last weekends game against QPR, signaling his intent to secure a final berth. Whichever marksman the Chelsea manager chooses to go with, the Liverpool back line could be in for a difficult afternoon. It maybe the Ivorian’s big game pedigree and ability to hold the ball up that see’s him get the nod, with Torres used as a late impact substitute. A tactic that they may look to use again after it proved to be very effective in the Camp Nou last week.
Prediction:
Such is the erratic form both sides this campaign it is difficult to make a prediction based on how well either team is playing. I think the game has the makings of a tight affair that may open up towards the end of the ninety minutes when the pace of Bellamy and Torres will be introduced. My gut feeling suggests Liverpool may shade this one, with the quality of Suarez proving to be the difference between the sides.
Liverpool 2-1 Chelsea
Who do you think will win the FA Cup final? Back your predictions with a free £50 bet courtesy of EPL Talk.

Liverpool vs Chelsea: FA Cup Final Preview and Videos

Liverpool vs Chelsea: FA Cup Final Preview and Videos - World Soccer Talk

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“We’re not really here” are some of the words emblazoned around the Etihad Stadium amongst other footnotes and references to Manchester City’s history. These particular words are significant because of a chant started by the Blue Moon faithful in the mid 1980’s. The story goes that the City fans travelled to Luton for a game, even though they were banned from the stadium, thus giving rise to the sarcastic nature of the chant above. The chant still rings out amongst the supporters to this very day and around 30 years on, the words of that old chant seem very applicable to the positions of both sides ahead of Monday’s Manchester derby.
City is challenging at the summit of the Premier League and have the opportunity to put a severe dent in their Manchester rivals title hopes. Perhaps more importantly, they have the chance to do so in front of their own fans, who have undergone decades of uncertainty and inconsistency at Maine Road and more recently the City of Manchester Stadium. Will they ever get a better chance to appease the thousands of supporters that have turned out diligently over the years?
Manchester United on the other hand will scarcely believe the position they find themselves in either. With an eight point lead secure merely two weeks ago after City’s defeat to Arsenal, they now find themselves under massive pressure to get a result after Everton’s late rally at Old Trafford last weekend. If City beat United on Monday, then Robert Mancini’s men will go back to the top of the Premier League on goal difference, with a mere two games left to play. Sir Alex Ferguson has always maintained that United look to win every game they go into. On Monday however it will simply be a case of “must not lose” as opposed to “must win”. Local derbies like this do not come round too often and whilst games of such magnitude can often fail to live up to the hype, there is no doubting the importance of the result and the effect it could potentially have on the destiny of both clubs.
Here’s the lowdown on both clubs, including the areas in which the game could be won and lost:
Likely Line Ups:
Manchester City (4-2-3-1): 
Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Barry, Nasri, Silva, Aguero, Tevez
Manchester United (4-4-2): 
De Gea, Rafael, Evans, Ferdinand, Evra, Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Nani (doubtful due to injury), Rooney, Welbeck
Key Battles:
Kompany vs Rooney: 
Containing Wayne Rooney will be crucial to City’s aspirations of shutting out United and it will be City skipper Vincent Kompany who will be charged with that task. City have conceded less than a goal a game this season with the Belgian at the heart of their back four, whilst Rooney will be looking to add to 26 Premier League goals he has already bagged this season. Kompany has been one of the most consistent defenders around this campaign and his exceptional form could provide a fundamental foundation for City to go on and win the game on Monday.
Yaya Toure vs Scholes: 
Since his move from Barcelona, Toure has been an intimidating prospect for opposing central midfielders. With exceptional pace, immense power and bags of quality, the Ivorian should provide more than a match for United’s Paul Scholes. And it will be interesting to see how the physical threat possessed by Toure will stand up to the majestic ball control and pinpoint passing Scholes possesses. It is no coincidence that United’s surge to the top of the table came about after Scholes’s return in January, and they will need another stand out performance from their legendary midfielder to control the midfield and tame the dynamic Toure.
Aguero vs Evans: 
Two of the most common preconceptions about new signings include how difficult it can be to live up to a big price tag, as well as how it is difficult for foreign players to adapt to the harsh nature of the Premier League. Sergio Aguero however, has set the Premier League alight in his opening season, netting 22 times during the campaign. The £38m man has more than justified his heft price tag and faces Jonny Evans on Monday night who is one of the most improved players in the country this season. Evans has filled the void left by Nemanja Vidic and made the position his own ahead of more costly acquisitions Chris Smalling and Phil Jones. But he will have a tough task keeping the excellent Aguero quiet, who has displayed skill aplenty and lethal finishing during his City tenure so far.
Previous Meetings: 
Earlier meetings between the sides this season have both included plenty of goals. City trounced United 6-1 at Old Trafford earlier in the season but United gained a measure of revenge by knocking City out of the FA cup in January with a 3-2 victory at the Etihad.
8/1/2012: City 2-3 United (Rooney 20, 40, Welbeck 30, Kolarov 48, Aguero 65)
23/10/2011: United 1-6 City (Balotelli 22, 60 Aguero 69, Fletcher 81, Dzeko 90, 90 Silva, 90, Evans red card 47)
Verdict: 
Although the two previous meetings this season have been open affairs, I expect this encounter will be alot tighter with what is potentially at stake for both teams. City has been imperious at the Etihad this season and whilst United has not performed to their best in recent weeks, they have the temperament and the ‘know how’ which could see them to a result in this game. For this reason I’d be putting my money on a low scoring draw, which would of course hand United the title initiative but would leave the race for the Premier League very much up for grabs.
Prediction: 
Manchester City 1-1 Manchester United.
Post your prediction in the comments section below, and cast your vote regarding who you think will win this match.
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Manchester City vs Manchester United Preview: Who's Going to Win the Derby?

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