Closed Chelsea v Man City

[KonohasOrangeFlash 2,607]

I actually think we'll be winning this.

I expect a line-up something along the lines of -

Cech;

Ivan, Cahill, Luiz, Cole;

Mikel, anyone who can play in central midfield who's not Ramires;

Moses, Mata, Marin/Hazard

Torres

I know it seems like an odd idea to throw Marin right in, but Rafa depends on width - and players who track back.

That's what I think it will be - not what I want it to be.

1. Are you sure Rafa will come in and change the first team straight away? I think (hope) since this game is just days after his appointment he will just play our regular/settled first XI and not mess with too much as he still needs to learn about our players himself. He will give the likes of Marin and Moses chances to prove themselves to him perhaps in later games.

2. If from now he starts leaving out Hazard and Oscar from the starting lineup it'll be horrible. I think we may see him playing only 2 of the 3 Maestro's at the same time from now on. It could be a good move though due to us having a stronger option on the bench, having one of the Maestro's always ready and rested and allowing for the 2 of 3 playing to have more space.

[Leif 6,006]

1. Are you sure Rafa will come in and change the first team straight away? I think (hope) since this game is just days after his appointment he will just play our regular/settled first XI and not mess with too much as he still needs to learn about our players himself. He will give the likes of Marin and Moses chances to prove themsleves to him perhaps in later games.

2. If from now he starts leaving out Hazard and Oscar from the starting lineup it'll be horrible. I think we may see him playing only 2 of the 3 Maestro's at the same time from now on. It could be a good move though due to us having a stronger option on the bench, having one of the Maestro's always ready and rested and allowing for the 2 of 3 playing to have more space.

1: Not at all sure. I'm just pessimistic at the moment despite being rather intrigued by his appointment. What you're getting at though is probably right. He probably won't change things right away. But I do see Marin suddenly becoming a key player (if he gets his chance) for the rest of the season whenever he finally gets a start.

Whatever he sees in training tomorrow/the day after that will determine who starts on the right vs. City though I feel.

2: I think.. I don't know what I think. I don't like thinking about MaZaCar not all starting together, but honestly, having them all starting doesn't make sense in Rafa's expected 4-2-3-1 formation unless ... he uses Oscar in a deep role alongside Mikel. I guess that's plausible.

[Sheva. 5,373]

I think he would use Oscar in a deeper role, we shall see though.

[nachikethas 1,149]

we will win this... everything is against us..its make perfect sense for CFC

[Blue Gino 377]

I think Rafa will stun supporters with a side he believes in and what it is is anyone's guess at this point. Having had Xabi and Mascherano in his side at Liverpool he may opt for Luiz and Romeu in defensive midfield who knows

[meetdoscar 335]

Romeu is really underrated in this forum as a deep lying player I wonder why? Yet he is a squad player for chelsea and overrated josh and KDB are not. Benitez doesn't play possession based football so I guess mikel is out. Romeu is talented enough to be as good as alonso. I believe romeu will play alongside ramires in the pivot. For those that want oscar to play dp it will never happen because we don't play the same system with juventus also the pivot is romeu's natural position if not him then mikel or luiz at the very least.

[Jase 43,479]

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/180360.html

Kompany a doubt for this game it seems.

[gary gordon 1,777]

Pray for heavy snow!

[Reddish-Blue 2,345]

http://www.espn.co.u...ory/180360.html

Kompany a doubt for this game it seems.

That's good news...if only we had a striker who could take advantage of Citeh's defence without Kompany.

[Au blues 29]

Rafa will drop Oscar deeper with Mikel as Oscar has both the passing and playmaking ability that Rami does not. Oscar is in the mod of Alonso but win dribbling ability thus makes sense to pay him along side Mikel. Luiz lacks in placing he lose his opponents to often by turning his back I mean geez he other day he drooped the ball to his attacker through him turning his back. as such whilst JT is not playing I assume we'll see azpi, iva Cahill and cole. sorry for Luiz but he is a liability.without Rami I think that Moses or Stu will play right side interchangeable with Torres.No Torres mo problem Stu centre forward Moses right Hazard left Mata behin CF

[Kisho 33]

I think rafa will provide us with stability and minimum top 3 spot. I think we can definitley win this but a draw seems a bit more likely. City will not leave stamford bridge with more than a point, KTBFFH!!!!!!!!!!!!

[kellzfresh 7,229]

November is never a dull time for chelsea is it?

Don't know if the players will be fired up for this or will be on a low.

Luckily benitez plays with 4-2-3-1 so not much of a system change.

I think he prefers wingers, so I don't think mazacar will play together unless oscar drops to the pivot.

Sadly, oscar might lose out cos he will prefer mata behind torres for sure.

Prediction

Azpi-iva-cahill-cole

Romeu-mikel

Moses-mata-hazard

Torres

Please just don't lose this.

[Kisho 33]

excited and nervous to see the team sheet

[Heisenberg 1,824]

Still no pictures of him with the blue shirt ?

[CHOULO19 24,332]

If we lose this, we are completely out of the batle for the league. Without any doubt.

Mate we were never in it in the first place.

Parking the bus would be doing shitty a huge favor. Their weakness is their defense. We will need to outscore them.

[didierforever 7,349]

RUN FOR YOUR LIVES... ITS CHRIS FOY....

[Hutcho 8,443]

This is gonna be one of the most anticiapated lineups of the season.

All this can't be good for the team so avoiding defeat would be great here. You never know Torres Hatrick...

[BleedsBlue 1,549]

Haha.Torres definitely going to start for this one and IF IF he scores in this game,the Spaniard is going to run to Benitez so that he can give him a huge fucking hug for sure.For this prediction to be true I really hope he scores.