Showdown at Old Trafford

In a few hours, Manchester United will kick-off one of the most important game of their season, at home against Chelsea with 3 points advantage in the Premiership. Both teams are off from a 0-1 lost in the Champions League in midweek, although the loss had more destructing effect on United’s campaign rather than that of Chelsea. Nevertheless, Manchester United form in the league this season has been brilliant, even when things went wrong, the team still managed to find a way to score the winning goal. That is what made them a little different from the sub-par team during the last couple of years. They are more determined … and they seems to have reasons to fight.

On the other hand, Chelsea team of superstars are just doing the minimum things to get them, well winning 1-0 against West Ham last week, and a few others games which they just won it without any impressive diplay given the strength and depth of their roster. Having said that, any manager would bark back at you with that comments with that what matter is 3 points at the end of day. Point taken. Couldn’t be more true, but in the context of football mangement, and totally NOT in the context of supporters … football fanatics. You probably could ask Johan Cruyff.

Two teams with momentums given different type of mentality, and with the English Premiership title is once again up for grabs for anyone else besides Chelsea, that’s why this is one of the biggest match for the Premiership heading into a hectic festive season. If United could extend the lead to 6 points, it would be the first time since 2003 –coincidentally that’s the last year of Beckham’s playing days at Old Trafford –the Red Devils have a real shot at the league title, once again. That would also signal to the rest of the Premiership teams that Chelsea is not afterall invincible. Well, of course the story could be totally different if Chelsea came out with a stunning victory just like what Arsenal did earlier this season without Thierry Henry.

mindcubes’ prediction

Rooney, when he’s on top form, has been able to perform huge on big games, either for Manchester United or for England. This will be no different, especially watching him in the last few league games, and with Saha looking tired, Rooney would be pivotal to United, as well as for Scholes and Carrick to continue performing the type of one-two touch passing game that Eric Cantona would be so proud to see. Giggs has shown that age is not a barrier to play at the highest level in the Premierhsip, and his assists would be crucial in this game, as well as for Ronaldo to continue his much improved form this season, albeit his needs to improve on his finishing touch. At the back , van der Sar needs to be on top of his game with Vidic continually becoming one of the best defenders that United have had in the past few years along with captain Neville ensuring a fine display as a wing back. United is alive again this season, and Chelsea would be able to taste what Bolton, Portsmouth, Liverpool, and Newcastle have experienced this season, that is United is back. And back with style.

UNITED 2 – CHELSEA 0

Defense! Defense!

Defense.

That’s been the key to the Broncos’ early successful season, sitting at the top of AFC West with 4-1 record, with a key win at New England in week 3. Ironically, that core part of the defense will be again the key when Warren, Myers, Ekuban, and co. visits their former paymaster, the Clevelend Browns. Mike Shanahan proves everyone wrong when his latest tricks a couple years ago involves a bunch of under-achieved guys, who includes a former #1 draft pick, another first-round draft pick, a bunch of other guys transformed into one of the most effective defense in the National Football League.

That move, combined with the blockbuster deal that sent Portis for Bailey, proved to be the key to the Broncos reaching to the AFC Championships Game last year, as well as a catalyst for the Broncos this year. Their offense might not be pretty this year, but their defense has only alllowed one, yes, one TD in 5 games! Opponents might be moving their ball, gaining some yardage, but when it comes to the redzone, picking throws at the red zone has starting to become Bailey’s habit these days, and I do believe he’s been the best corner that the Broncos has had in maybe a couple of decades.

Roll up the dice! — I don’t think the Broncos’ offense will be greatly improved when they meet the Browns, but having said that Javon Walker might have a huge game, while the defense will continue to carry this team. As much as the element of surprise that the Browns might bring to the Broncos, especially with personnels exchanged on both sides, I don’t see the Browns pulling out an upset. Broncos will roll, and it’ll be 5-1 at the end of the day. BRONCOS 21 – BROWNS 6

it’s time for the old nemesis

a raiders visit to the mile high couldn’t be better knowing they are 0-4 (yes, 0-4!!), while the broncos is having a good time with its 3-1 record after a convincing win against the was unbeatable ravens last week.

broncos’ offense is still not showing their old-self but at least plummer is moving the ball and the broncos defense has been the catalyst during this young season. elam and ernster also played huge part to the 3-1 record. on the other hand, moss, and sapp, and all other raiders have not been living up to expectations. having said that, raiders and broncos have always been an interesting one to catch. a late game between two old nemesis, this one won’t be a walkover for the broncos, but with a strong running game and solid defense, the broncos will pull another one through. RAIDERS 6 – BRONCOS 17.

baltimore ravens @ denver broncos

the 3-0 ravens backed by strong defense (which includes former bronco, trevor pryce) and stability at the quarterback position in steve mcnair is visiting the broncos on a highly anticipated monday night football. a number of years ago, the sight of the ravens humiliating the broncos on a monday night football was still vivid for me as a griese interception started a long night for the broncos. this time though, the game is at the invesco fields at mile high. a high sprit broncos coming off a bye week after a two highly-charged wins against the chiefs and the patriots is determined to spoil the back to town to former broncos including the much loved mike anderson.

roll-up the dice!

two strong defense, though different styles, will ensure the game won’t be a blowout. plummer might struggle against a strong pass rush team, but the stability of broncos’ defense and the play-making ability of javon walker might just be enough to see the broncos through. tatum bell could have one or two breaking runs as champ bailey could pick up his first pick of the season, or rather broncos’ first pick of the season. broncos will win the battle of turnover. RAVENS 9 – BRONCOS 21

roll up the dice

in the past few weeks i’ve made a number of predictions for the english premier league and nfl, which i’ll start calling it ‘roll up the dice‘ … well just for the records, so far the dice has been rolling pretty favorably, it’s 3 out of 4, with good for manutd vs. newcastle (2-0), good for benfica vs. manutd (0-1), good for broncos vs. new england (a win for the broncos) and bad for reading vs. manutd (1-1).  not too bad for a bloke operating at the very long tail of a sports analysis/predictions.