[Torque]

Originally Posted by dailymail

Chelsea boss Grants eyes two wins in four days as Blues look to turn up the heat on leaders United

Avram Grant insists that Manchester United's stars could wobble under the pressure if Chelsea win their next two games and draw level with them at the top of the Barclays Premier League.

United went six points clear at the top of the table after Sunday's 2-1 victory at Old Trafford effectively ended Arsenal's hopes of winning the title.

But a win for Chelsea over Wigan tonight and against Everton on Thursday would put the Blues level on points with Sir Alex Ferguson's side and set up a potential title decider against United at Stamford Bridge on April 26.

Grant believes that two wins in four days could put United's players under enough pressure for them to start making costly errors.

"I believe that nobody is a computer," said Grant. "Pressure can affect anybody. It can take you forward in a positive way but also you can see that even big players under pressure cannot play like they used to. It can be any team, any player.

"If we win every game I think we will win the title. But it's not easy to win all the games. I said a week ago I didn't believe Man United and Arsenal would do it, it's not easy.

"I can't say we are the best in England but I don't think there is a team stronger than us. I will not say we are the best in the world, even though we want to be, but I can say when we have all our players I don't see a team stronger than us.

"I have told the players it has been a very difficult year and I don't know if other clubs could have done what we have with all the injuries to big players, with the African Cup of Nations and with all the problems we have had.

"The atmosphere is good and we come to the last stage of the season with a very good opportunity to do the best things - we don't want to miss it.

"The players know it's a big opportunity and if I may say so, we deserve it after what we had this year." Chelsea face Wigan tonight with Grant debating whether to play goalkeeper Petr Cech in a special mask to protect 50 stitches in a facial wound sustained in an accident on the training ground.

Cech has trained with and without the mask but Grant was awaiting a medical decision on whether to risk him tonight.

Cech already has to wear a special helmet to protect the skull he fractured earlier in his Chelsea career and, if he is selected, he could be forced to wear a chin guard until his stitches are removed.

"We are testing a mask," said Grant. "We need to go again with it to see. In one training he wore a mask and in another he was without it. We are checking all the possibilities with him.

"I think for the moment it's a risk. But I have not spoken with the specialist. I'm not a doctor." Third-choice Hilario will play against Wigan if Grant opts to leave Cech to recover further.

Cech's normal understudy Carlo Cudicini has a hamstring injury which could rule him out for the rest of the season.

Source

What do you say: how many matches will Chelsea win? I've added a poll for you to vote.

I will share my opinion later.

[funkdoctorspock]

Well, they are definitely going to kick the crap out of Wigan. So thats one.

As for Everton. My heart is saying that the Toffees will get a draw out of Chelsea, but then you look at there last couple of matches. Everton has simply struggled to score goals.

Because of this, Chelsea will be level on points by the time we face Blackburn.

2 wins for them.

[Mark]

only 1 i think with Wigan today

as for Everton i hope that they can pull a draw out of that game, evan that they've struggled i little bit as you said funky, in the last couple of matches, but they'll play at home and that's why i'm hoping for a good result for them.

Fingers crossed and we'll see.

[dpak3000]

LOOKS LIKE THEY WONT WIN ANY OF THE TWO!!!

couldn't win the first one today! hopefully won't win the one Thursday

then the title is definitely ours.

[funkdoctorspock]

This lad right here deserves full praise.

This lad right here cost me 1741 in vcash:

Who would have thought two former Liverpool players would feature heavily in a EPL Title contest.

One more shoutout:



Thanks Mr. Bruce for the draw!!!

And I thought Arsenal were a bunch of bottlers.

Chelsea has stolen the title. Losers.

[ViSh23]

thats really nice... chelsea has draw with wigan.. leaving now 5pts clear...

Well i dont think the match with everton will be so easy for them... why not another draw...

Had watch the match and chelsea was letting space through its defence...

if the draw everton, think the title will almost be in hand!!!

[Prongs]

Scouse rejects - You beauty )

[kaihnsn]

I write after wigan game so I go for none. I thought that game was easy for them.

But they wobbled under pressure Chelsea had been grind result lately but last

night they really show their tru colour. Everton will give more problem than wigan.

[Torque]

I really thought that Chelsea would win the match against Wigan, and lose or draw with Everton.

I am sure that Chelsea won't win on Thursday because of two facts:
1) second game in 4 days
2) the pressure would have been very high in their race to get 6 points from 6. Grant said that United would be under pressure, but I think it's them who were under pressure yesterday and will be the day after tomorrow as theoretically they still have chances to win the title, but to do that they cant afford any mistakes.

[TeKnIcIaN]

Hey Avram:

FAIL!!

Can't stand that guy. Creepy looking undertaker dude anyway.