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Chelsea midfielder Frank Lampard is already looking forward to next weekend's clash with Manchester United.

The Premier League's top two clash at Stamford Bridge on Sunday with the Blues taking a two-point lead into the game.

And despite having a midweek Champions League clash with Atletico Madrid in the interim, Lampard cannot help looking towards the weekend.

He said: "I don't think anyone will need to work hard to get up for the United game, we all know it's coming. We'll try and put some space between us and them at the top.

"We're in good form, very good form and that shows in the results - but there's room for improvement. There always is.

"Any moment of slacking either on the training ground or in our preparations and that form will quickly go away. So we will keep trying to improve and, hopefully, can get even better

"If we can win, then we can open a gap - if we don't there's a danger Manchester United can close it.

"We have the Champions League in between, and then we will really start to think about United. It's an exciting time.

"We're top of the Premier League but know United will make it difficult for us.

"Psychologically I don't think those things like us being top matter when the big teams meet each other.

"Look at last week. There was only one winner in many people's minds at Anfield and yet Liverpool beat United.

"I don't think league position and form count for too much. I believe when those games come around it's all about the day."

this game worries me, really hope Fletch is fit, could probrably manage without him tonight to ensure he's available for Chelsea.

any news on whether Vidic and Rio might be back?

chelsea 3 - Utd 1

I wouldn't play either of them if they were to be honest.

I think we'll be very lucky to get a draw out of this at the moment, they seem to be having their purple patch.

Still I'll never back against united becasue we are capable of anything from the sublime to the ridiculous.

United to win 1 - 2

Jonny and Nemanja/Wesley to have Anelka and Drogba in their back pockets!

Fletch to terrorise Lampard and Ballack. Valencia to rip Ashley Cole to shreds down the right!

New dad Rooney and "Just Dimitar" to put Terry and Carvalho to the sword!

Chelsea 0 United 2!!

(Sorry, my therapist has told me to be more positive. I think I may be taking it a little too far. )

Can you give your therapist's number to Nani please?

I'd take a point now

I have. He's currently on suicide watch.

after last night i'm even more worried, i'd start Obertan instead of nani on the left though, looked quite threatening when he came on.

Would play Owen too, got into some great positions and pulled their defence about loads. plus 2 in his last 2 starts

vds

o'shea rio vida evra

obertan scholes ando carrick fletcher

wazza

We're going to play 4 central midfielders and leave both Valencia and Nani out of the side?

I'd rather Nani play Left mid than Fletcher. Scholes wont get a start in this one after playing 90 mins last night and by all means having a decent game.

VDS

JOS Vida Evans Evra

Valencia Fletcher Ando Carrick Nani

Rooney

Though i'd prefer to see Owen in the side I do think we'll line up 4-5-1 and try and suffocate them.

I wouldn't have Nani anywhere near the team on Sunday. He's giving the ball away too often.

Bih's team:

------------VDS

Sheasy--Vidic--Evans--Evra

Valencia-Fletch-Carrick-Ando-Rooney

------------Berbs

I wouldn't have the RTA anywhere near London

VDS

O'Shea Vidic Evans Evra

Valencia Fletcher Anderson Giggs

Berba Rooney

We need to have plenty of energy in midfield to match them and i'd play 442 to expose there full backs if they go forward. I think the way to beat Chelsea is to be positive

The thrills and spills of last night's Champions League match sent the hearts of Manchester United supporters racing but handed Sir Alex Ferguson a pulsing headache.

In a typical rollercoaster ride, the Theatre of Dreams presented 90 minutes of constant action as the hosts fought back from two goals down to claim a last-minute 3-3 draw.

A ground silenced by the unexpected prowess of the Russian also-rans found their voice as the introduction of new dad Wayne Rooney breathed life into the push for parity.

Few teams can breathe air into their lungs like United. Antonio Valencia's leveller came from a slice of luck, but the hosts should have been stretching for the winner after Darren Fletcher was denied a cast-iron penalty even though his legs were swept from underneath him.

An unbeaten home run in Europe stretching back 22 fixtures was saved, but the prospects for the visit to Chelsea on Sunday don't look as rosy.


Bridge too far? | Evans must get back to his best

Porous doesn't fit the nature of the Premier League holder's defending. Alan Dzagoev's opener saw him make a fool of Jonny Evans, Darren Fletcher marked space for Milos Krasic's slalom effort, while the miniscule Fabio stood no chance against twin behemoth Vasili Berezutsky.
Patrice Evra's 30-minute cameo puts him in the running to return to the spot of his spat with ground staff, but question marks are still swirling around Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand's participation.

Neither has covered themselves in glory as their seasons have yet to kick into gear after constant injury problems. But, without them United will struggle to have the calibre for the Stamford Bridge gun fight.

One match doesn't damn a player. A clean sheet was Evans' reward in the 2-0 win against Blackburn Rovers the last time he was on domestic duty.

A year ago, he also excelled in his side's 1-1 draw which put the brakes on the then rampant Luiz Felipe Scolari regime.

Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka could not cast a shadow over the Ulsterman on a sunny autumnal day then. Evans must re-discover the form that saw him block out the Blues big-shots if his side are to return to the summit of the Premier League table.

Wes Brown has conceded Manchester United will have to defend far better at Stamford Bridge on Sunday if they are to get anything out of their blockbuster confrontation with Chelsea.

Both sides will go into the game with their Champions League knock-out place secure following draws on Tuesday night.

But while Carlo Ancelotti's men were probably pleased with their efforts against Atletico Madrid, United looked far less secure.

It took another injury-time strike, this time a deflected Antonio Valencia effort, to earn a 3-3 draw against a spirited CSKA Moscow outfit at Old Trafford.

The ease with which the Russians scored their three goals provides huge cause for concern, especially as Sir Alex Ferguson has claimed Rio Ferdinand is highly unlikely to return as he struggles to get over a calf injury.

It means either Brown or Jonny Evans will continue in central defence alongside Nemanja Vidic, who should be fit.

And Brown knows against the likes of Didier Drogba and Nicolas Anelka, such defensive weakness will be punished.

"We cannot concede like that when we go to Stamford Bridge," he said.

"We have to be tighter at the back and give the strikers the chance to do a bit of damage at the other end."

It is another key game, coming just a fortnight after the defeat at Liverpool which cast fresh doubt over United's ability to sustain a title challenge this term.

If anything, Brown expects Sunday's encounter to be even tougher.

"It will be our toughest game of the season," he said.

"They have been doing very well.

"They are a well organised team and they will be very strong. They are scoring goals at the moment and we will have to be really on top form to think of getting any points."

if Vidic is fit and Rio isn't i'd play Evans and Vidic and put Brown at right back and Evra at left back

Valencia-Fletcher-Anderson-Obertan (if giggs isnt fit)

Rooney - Owen

at least fletch and anderson should have energy in the middle, failing that play

VDS
Brown-Evans-Vidic-Evra
Giggs-Anderson-Fletcher
valencia-Owen-Rooney

You're dropping O'Shea????

Jarv what you playing at

Very tempted to play the Neviller in this one: he's been in great form his last few games, some great overlapping and crossing and I think he'll help pin back Chelsea on their left.

Also want to start Owen, has created space and chances for himself and others really well recently, but I think it will be Rooney and Berbs up front as per Anfield, hopefully with a better CM of Fletch, Ando and Giggs covering left, Valencia on the right.

RTA=Ronaldo tribute act?

Is this Obertan you're talking about?