Chelsea V Portsmouth Betting – Wednesday 16th December

Chelsea V Portsmouth

Wednesday 16^th December – 19:45 GMT

Chelsea

League Position: 1st

Recent Form: WWWLD

Chelsea were looking unstoppable before they entered the month of December and now they appear on the rocks, with flaws in their plays coming to light within the space of a fortnight. However, even they couldn’t of wished for such a prosperous fixture then a home outing against bottom of the league Portsmouth. In a time when Chelsea are struggling to actually win a game of football, those hot on their heels won’t be happy that the fixture list has brought up a very generous home fixture with Pompey, but will Carlo Ancelotti and Chelsea take advantage of this good will fixture?

Chelsea were steam rolling anything and anyone that dared get in their way before December, but now they can’t win for love nor money. Carlo Ancelotti has now seen his side not win in four competitive games, all four were draws with very beatable opposition. Two did come in cup competitions, with a 2-2 draw at home to APOEL in the Champions League while the other seen them knocked out of the Carling Cup at Blackburn Rovers. A result which clearly affected the camp a lot more than anyone has initially anticipated as Chelsea have failed to win ever since.

However, whilst in league action, as that’s what intrigues us the most, Chelsea have picked up just one point in their previous two outings. They suffered just their third defeat of the season a fortnight ago when they lost 2-1 in Manchester to Man City, while they were held to an entertaining 3-3 draw by Everton last weekend, at Stamford Bridge. That draw with stragglers Everton ended a run of seven successive wins at the Bridge and seen the last 100% home record in the league evaporate. Now, with that draw has the confidence within the Chelsea dressing room evaporated as there was a lot of bickering on the pitch that would suggest so, although Petr Cech was to blame for the dropped points. 

Petr Cech has won just about every plaudit known to man for a goalkeeper in his time at Chelsea but he’s arguably going through his toughest spell at the club where niggly mistakes are being highlighted by Chelsea failure to overshadow them with winning goals at the other end. However, even so, Petr Cech has still been a colossal figure in the Chelsea goal this season, especially at Stamford Bridge, and Everton were the first team since Hull City on the opening day of the season to score past Cech iat the Bridge, with Chelsea’s run of six consecutive clean sheets smashed to obliteration on Saturday.

Chelsea still boast an incredibly strong home record this season of 7-1-0, and are one of two sides in the league not to have lost at home this season, Man City being the other. They accumulated 21 points from a possible 24 at the Bridge whilst scoring 23 goals and conceding just four, with three of those coming on Saturday. Their form at home this season is intimidating even for the best of sides but it will surely leave a travelling Portsmouth quaking in their boots as they aim to emulate Evertons’ achievements.

Portsmouth

League Position: 20th

Recent Form: LLLWD

A sour weekend was converted into a euphoric one for the Portsmouth fans as Younes Kaboul prodded home a 90^th minute equaliser to hand Portsmouth just their fifth away point of the season and, in doing so, avoided their sixth away defeat in eight. However, they were under the cosh for the most part in that game with Sunderland and were fortunate their opponents weren’t at their sharpest. Chelsea, however, are a totally different kettle of fish and we, as well as plenty others, are under the impression that Avram Grant and Portsmouth won’t be as fortunate this Wednesday. 

When you’re at the bottom you’re desperate for a bit of good fortune to go your way and Portsmouth certainly got theirs on Saturday in a match they probably should have lost. However, their battling qualities shone through and they will have been delighted with the point they earned. Now, though, they must do it all again and a lot better as a trip to Chelsea doesn’t come any more daunting. The goalscorer at the Stadium of Light, Younes Kaboul, will also miss this trip after receiving his second yellow for his celebration Idiotic springs to mind…

Last weekend just epitomised why the Premiership is adored all around the globe, with the smaller fish defying the underdog on more than one occasion. However, this would be the shock of all shocks were Portsmouth to even grab a point at Stamford Bridge as they really don’t appear to have a chance in hell despite some good performance this season.

Portsmouth’s away record this season makes for dire reading at 1-2-5, with their 90^th minute equaliser meaning they avoided their sixth away defeat of the campaign. However, Portsmouth have seriously struggled on their travels and have managed to find the opposing net on just four occasions and what hasn’t helped is there lackadaisical defending at the other end. David James may not have been at fault for all of the 12 goals Portsmouth have conceded on the road this season but even England’s number 1 has faltered in keeping that weak looking Pompey defence a afloat this season.

A player to watch out for – Aruna Dindane. Not for his talent or his keen eye for the goal but more for the opposite. When Portsmouth do create chances, more time than not they fall to Dindane, and just about every occasions he fluffs it either into row Z or into someone’s posh Jag in the car park. If I had a pound for every time this lad missed a sitter I could have purchased a Liverpool season ticket, although it’s hard to comprehend what’s more a waste of money – Backing Portsmouth in any game this season or spending your hard earned cash watching Liverpool. The former should be the case this week, though.

Head-to-Head (Last 10):

Chelsea W: 9 Portsmouth W: 0 Draw: 1

It’s not too surprising to hear that Portsmouth have yet to beat Chelsea in the Premiership, this after twelve failed attempts. Their best result came in the form of a 1-1 draw at Fratton Park, two seasons ago. At Stamford Bridge, though, Portsmouth have a terrible record, losing on their previous six visits, scoring just the one goal. Last season Chelsea crushed Portsmouth 4-0 in a convincing manner. A similar score line on Wednesday night would raise too many eyebrows.

Match Verdict: Chelsea to WIN – 1.17 PaddyPower

Dropping points in this fixture would be a catastrophe as it should be a three point banker for Chelsea, despite our want of that word being banned from all betting aspects. Chelsea, with the exception of Everton at the weekend, have steam steamrollered every team that’s paid them a visit this season, with even the likes of Liverpool and Man Utd getting nowhere near Chelsea. Portsmouth have struggle on the road all season and were very fortunate on Saturday to scrape a point via a last gasp equaliser. They won’t be as lucky this week and a big Chelsea win could be on the cards.

Match Odds:

Chelsea – 1.17 PaddyPower

Draw – 8.00 Bet365

Portsmouth – 21.00 VCbet

SoccerBetting Value Tip: Chelsea -2 Goals (Asian Handicap) – 1.95 Bet365