Manchester United v. Chelsea - Match Preview

Manchester United entertain Champions League Semi-Finalists Chelsea tomorrow at the Red Devils' fortress Old Trafford in the final home game of this somewhat disappointing season.

Just one point from this game and Chelsea have clinched second spot as well as automatically entering the Champions League next season, leaving United prepared to get out their atlas and travel anywhere in Europe in order to qualify.

The Red Devils have pretty much conceded the runners up position but can still mathematically take it away from Claudio Ranieri. Chelsea will have to lose at Old Trafford and at Stamford Bridge against already relegated Leeds United whilst United have to see off Aston Villa at Villa Park.

The London outfit go into the game off the back of a Champions League Semi-Final defeat to Monaco and will be looking to bounce back from the knock-out. Sir Alex Ferguson's team will also be looking to bounce back after suffering two successive 1-0 league defeats.

The meeting between the two clubs in late November ended up 1-0 to the home side Chelsea after Frank Lampard fired in a penalty for the big-spenders.

In Last term's corresponding fixture, United came back from a 1 goal deficit to see the old Chelsea off 2-1 with Paul Scholes and Diego Forlan both getting on the score sheet.

Ruud van Nistelrooy is likely to return after a spell out of the side with a knee problem but Roy Keane is struggling with a mysterious injury and will probably be on the bench. Midfielder Paul Scholes returns after serving a 3-game ban.

Tinkerman Claudio Ranieri will almost defiantly snip and cut his side that slumped to Monaco in midweek but will be without Argentine duo Hernan Crespo and former United midfielder Juan Seba Veron.

United have been placed at 6/5 to secure 3 points at Old Trafford tomorrow whilst Chelsea are 9/5 to wrap-up an automatic Champions League spot there and then.

Match Prediction- Manchester United 1 - Chelsea 1: Considering the form the two clubs are in I think the honours will be even tomorrow. Losing out on a place in the Champions League Final can't be good for morale but United have lost 2 straight league games.