ManchesterMatt

Courtois motm. EZ.

If Cahill is to play in the pivot then I'll be disappointed. What message does it give to Ake etc when Cahill is further up in the midfield pecking order?

Finally! A proper f**king match! Whilst the rest of the country are sat around bothering about the FA cup, we're preparing for a proper competition! I haven't looked at PSG much this season but any club of their size is a major threat when they're playing in the Champions League. Just look at Dortmund as an example of a team not performing well in their domestic league but raising their game when it matters. I would take a draw, preferably a 1-1 or 2-2.

Football is primarily about results. It is. I don't care who you are, but the result is the most important outcome of the match. Secondly comes the way in which the result came about aka the performance. If you don't agree then speak to an Arsenal fan. I was at Anfield last night and I agree that the way in which we went about the result was not commendable. From the first kick we didn't press them up the pitch and we basically sat in our own half for the entirety of the match. However, we got a 1-1 result and that makes us clear favourites for the game at SB. I came away from Anfield happy last night, albeit not quite as happy as my previous visit when we won 2-1. Although I'm happy with the result, I would have preferred Jose to 'go for it' considering it was only the Capital One cup. However, you can't be greedy and have results and performances all of the time. It just doesn't work like that! Think back to the 2-2 draw at Barcelona or the countless first leg away games in the Champions League. This is how Jose plays in 2 legged ties. And he wins the majority of them so we can't complain.

Will be at Anfield for the second time this season. Hoping for a strong line up as we have the Bradford match for certain players to rest: Cech Iva Zouma Terry Luis Matic Fab Willian Oscar Hazard Costa

I'm having the worst afternoon... I'm stuck at the girfriend's house and I can't find a working stream Anyone got a working link?

Any links guys?

Went for Fabregas MOTM. 1 goal, 1 assist and could have easily had another assist with the pass for Costa. Oh, and I also thought he closed down the Stoke defence well when they had ball. Matic and Mikel both had good matches, although the difference between them was obvious when going forward. Matic had a number of powerful runs and held the ball well whereas Mikel had a number of misplaced passes. Both good defensively though and it's nice to have someone dependable to step into that holding role. I didn't think the Bardsley tackle was as bad as people are making out. He did go in strong but his studs weren't showing and his leading leg was on the ground (or at least very close to ground). It was definitely a yellow but not a red in my opinion. #prayforhazard

Done.

Great support yesterday. Didn't stop singing once in the 90 mins.

I won't say I'm confident for this but I'm a lot more relaxed than some of you guys on here. We're 4 points clear at the top, Liverpool have had a horrible start to the season and need to win and Liverpool rested 'key' players on Tuesday which has put a lot of pressure on them to win on Saturday to justify the team they put out against Madrid. They will be forced to attack as a draw isn't really enough for them and therefore they will be vulnerable on the break. I could see another 2-0 win here again. Perhaps with a Hazard and Costa double? Either way, I'll be at Anfield on Saturday showing the delusional scousers that our away support is to be proud of.

Yeah possibly. I'm just nervous about playing him! haha. But I agree, some game time tonight could be beneficial for him.

Football changes. Atmosphere changes. A combination of: - less working class attendees at games - increase in women attending games - full seater stadiums - more 'tourists' - stricter drinking regimes - a lowering in drinking pre-match - ticket pricing - lifestyle changes (people don't spend their whole Saturday revolving around football) The atmosphere at away matches is much better as (in general) more committed fans attend, there is a higher concentration of men, the crowd stands for 90 mins, people drink more before the match and there are no 'tourists'. We can't expect to sell the Premier League to 'the world', attempt to attract money through sponsorship , attempt to attract younger and female fans to the ground and still keep the 'atmosphere'. It's unfortunate but football crowds have evolved.

I wouldn't mind seeing that team either, albeit that I would prefer Cahill in for Christensen to add a bit of authority at the back.

I'll be at Old Trafford on Sunday but I think it's pretty difficult to call. If Costa is fit then I can't see past a Chels win, but without, it could be a nervy 1-0 or draw!

I think some people are over reacting to Frank's decision. His original intention was to join New York City, but the relationship between Man City and New York City is such that a loan move from New York to Man City is more appealing to the clubs than a loan move to another club. - For example, I suspect that New York will be paying Frank's wages at present and will have also allowed him to move on loan without a fee. This will therefore aid Man City in the FFP requirements. People need to see past the badges of the clubs. The relationship between New York City and Man City and the likely FFP bonuses that Man City are likely to receive would have undoubtedly twisted Frank's arm. I admire Frank for everything he has done for Chelsea and wish him the best of luck with the rest of his career. Anyone with different thoughts should have a good think about what qualities they look for in a player/person.

Champions league football is such a relief! It bridges that weekend to weekend gap of no football quite nicely I think Jose will introduce Cech into the line up. He made a point of 'September' being the time where he would get some game time and I see this as an opportunity for him to get some minutes under his 14/15 season belt. Aside that, the only changes I could predict would be possibly Luis at LB and maybe Willian replacing either Schurrle or Hazard (most likely the former). Depending on Costa's fitness, maybe it would be wise for him to sit this one out so that he's 100% for the weekend. Also, some 2nd half game time for Salah wouldn't go a miss either. Is the match on ITV or Sky?

Swansea have played well this season, particularly with Routledge and Dyer providing a pacey counter. They've also got Sigurdsson who has been in good form and has been providing assists, especially when on the counter. This will be a difficult match as the majority of Swansea's players have had the chance to rest over the international break, whereas our players have not. They've also had the chance to prepare for this match over the space of 2 weeks, which will surely have given them some extra time to home their tactics. I'll go for a 2-1 or 2-0 Chelsea win, but it will be difficult and I can see Routledge or Dyer scoring one on the break if we're not careful!

Off to the game tomorrow having also been up to watch Burnley for our first game. I have to say that I'm rather unsure about the result here as Everton really have come on leaps and bounds under Martinez. They made light work of Arsenal last weekend (apart from the last 10 minutes), however, I think they're rather vulnerable at the back (4 goals conceded in 2 games) which hopefully we should seize upon. Courtois Iva Cahill Terry Luis <-- I've just got a feeling that Luis will come into the team as Everton aren't much of a physical side (apart from Lukaku) Matic Fabregas Shurrle Oscar Hazard Costa I doubt Jose will go for the 433 that we have adopted in the 'bigger' games (albeit that this is a big game) as I think he will prefer to press Everton with Jagielka and Distin not being the best 'ball players'. I'll go for a nervy 2-1 win with a 2-0 Chelsea lead at half time.

Day off work has been booked! Aiming to get up to Burnley nice and early, grab some food and then get into the stadium nice and early to soak up the first game feeling! Bring it on! Courtois Iva Cahill Terry Luis Matic Fabregas Schurrle Oscar Hazard Costa I just have a feeling Iva will get the nod over Dave. Hopefully not, but I've got the feeling!

Where did he say/hint about Iva? Just wondering as I have Luis in the old fantasy team! Will be up at Burnley for the match on Monday and I expect a very tough game. Hopefully Burnley will be a bit naïve in their approach to the match and will not sit back as much as they should! - Hoping for a 3-0 win but expecting a tight fought 2-1!

Standard 4,3,3 big match scenario. Cech Iva Cahil Terry Dave Mikel Lampard Ramires Willian Hazard Torres

Will be very tough. I appreciate that we have, on paper, the 'easiest' of the final games, however, we need to factor in the Champions League and the added preparation that goes into that! TENSE!

Very happy with the draw, especially with us playing the 2nd leg at home. Bring it on!