Chelsea

Chelsea V Manchester United

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 5 February 2012 – 16:00 GMT

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Preview

Last September, Chelsea went to Old Trafford as title contenders. They gave a very good account of themselves at the home of the champions, creating a plethora of chances, but yet somehow ended up on the wrong end of a 3-1 scoreline. Four months on and while United remain in the hunt for a twentieth league title, Chelsea have fallen by the wayside – but that doesn’t mean Sunday’s encounter loses any of its spice or significance.

It is a fixture which requires no introduction, yet it gets one from me – sadly. In recent times they are the two most successful clubs in English football, dominating when it comes to collecting the major honours. Because of this, a rivalry has formed, mainly due to the fact defeat in this fixture usually comes with dire consequences. Now Chelsea may be all-but out of the title race, trailing the two Manchester clubs by twelve-points, but it doesn’t change the fact that Sunday’s result WILL have huge ramifications at the top of the table.

There is an argument that victory for the home side, Chelsea, would keep their slim hopes of reclaiming their crown alive – though they would still need Man City to slip-up at home to Fulham if they’re to claw back any of this twelve-point deficit. Being more realistic however, a win would strengthen their claims for Champions League football next season; the Blues are locked in a three-way tussle for fourth with Arsenal and Liverpool, who are four and five-points behind respectively.

As far as United are concerned, victory on Sunday could be a positive omen. In each of the previous three seasons, the winner of this duel in the second-half of the term has gone on to lift the title. There are a few glitches however, like how Chelsea were title contenders in previous years, whereas only City are on this occasion. Even more critical is how United have gone almost a decade without winning a Premier League fixture at Stamford Bridge, losing on six of their last nine visits!

Unconvincing Blues appear vulnerable up against Sir Alex’s imperious travellers

After fortuitously drawing with Swansea on Tuesday, Chelsea stretched their unbeaten run to six matches in all competitions – four in the league and two in the FA Cup. It’s been a strange old run, as not once did Andre Villas-Boas’ men play convincingly. The very same could be said of their form in general; while they are unbeaten in six, they’ve won only two of their previous eight Premier League matches, and just three of their last seven at home, where Arsenal, Aston Villa and Liverpool have all won this season.

Defensively there have been noticeable improvements, as no longer is Petr Cech the busiest Blues player on the park, nor is he picking the ball out of his own net so much; the 29-year-old custodian has conceded a miserly two in his last four league appearances between the sticks. Offensively, however, they remain alarmingly toothless. Their only goal at Swansea in midweek was a Neil Taylor own-goal, which kind of speaks volumes, as Fernando Torres & Co failed to notch more than one goal in a game for the seventh occasion in their last eight Premier League contests.

On the topic of Chelsea’s Spanish striker, Torres has now racked up 12 consecutive Premier League appearances without finding the onion bag. And it will be El Nino who spearheads Villas-Boas’ attack on Sunday. ‘Bleak’ instantly springs to mind.

Chelsea sweating on key duo; United boost by returning trio

Contrastingly, United are looking the business. Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Stoke was their third in succession in the league and was the perfect riposte following Saturday’s FA Cup exit at the hands of fierce rivals Liverpool. They did so without a whole host of stars as well, some of which are expected back on Sunday the likes of Nani, Ashley Young and Wayne Rooney, as the Red Devils go in search of their ninth away win of the campaign that, at the very least, would see them rejoin City at the Premier League summit.

The hosts, meanwhile, have doubts over the participation of talismanic duo Frank Lampard and captain John Terry, whom has twice as many league goals this season than Torres (2). Brazilian midfielder Ramires is out injured while Didier Drogba remains on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.

Match Facts

Head-to-Head

Last League Meeting: A surprisingly open affair at Old Trafford on 18 September, 2011 was won by Manchester United, who struck three times before half-time (Smalling, Nani and Wayne Rooney the scorers) to give themselves an insurmountable 3-0 lead at the break. Fernando Torres did pull one back for Chelsea, who should have scored more than the solitary one but in the end had their profligacy to thank for a 3-1 defeat.

- Almost a decade has elapsed since Manchester United last won a Premier League match at Stamford Bridge, losing on six of their previous nine visits to West London since a 3-0 success in April 2002.

- The pair clashed on no fewer than five separate occasions last season, in three different competitions, with United winning four – including both legs of a Champions League semi-final – to Chelsea’s one, whose only success was in the corresponding league fixture at Stamford Bridge (2-1).

- United striker Wayne Rooney has opened the scoring on each of his team’s previous two visits to Stamford Bridge, with both strikes coming within the opening 30 minutes.

Chelsea

- Andre Villas-Boas’ team have only been beaten once in their last eleven Premier League games (W5 D5 L1), but have won just two of their previous eight.

- In their last eight top-flight matches, Chelsea scored two goals or more on just one occasion – in beating Wolves 2-1 at Molineux, a side who are currently without a win in nine PL games.

- Stamford Bridge is no longer a fortress for Chelsea, who have succumbed to Arsenal (3-5), Aston Villa (1-3) and Liverpool (1-2) in the league there this season (Chelsea home PL record: W7 D1 L3).

- Even central defender John Terry (4) has scored more Premier League goals this season than striker Fernando Torres (2), who has now gone twelve consecutive top-flight matches without netting.

Manchester United

- No team has registered more points away from home in the Premier League this season than Manchester United (26), with the Red Devils losing just one of eleven away matches thus far (United away PL record: W8 D2 L1).

- It is now three wins on the spin for Sir Alex Ferguson and his charges, whom have a 100% record in London this season having won at Arsenal (1-2), Fulham (0-5) and QPR (0-2).

- Despite their goalkeeping issues, United have only shipped seven goals on their travels – thee best defensive figures in the league away from home – and have kept six clean sheets on the road.

Betting

Prediction: Manchester United to WIN @ 19/10 (Coral)

United are at that stage in the season where they know exactly what they want – and that’s the Barclay’s Premier League, especially seeing as they are now out of the FA Cup as well as the Champions League. So there shouldn’t be any let-up in desire and commitment from the visitors, which may not be mirrored by their opponents, a Chelsea team whose commitment to the cause has been questioned all season long.

Tuesday, at Swansea, is just one of numerous examples where Chelsea have been lacklustre (we could name a few others that occurred recently, seeing as the Blues have failed to win six of their last eight PL matches). Quite simply they’re too inconsistent to be backing in such a huge game, a game where we know full-well United will turn up. Can the same be said of Chelsea? Certainly not. They did condemn Man City to their first defeat of the season before Christmas, but they were extremely fortunate in that match. Moreover, both Arsenal and Liverpool have gone to Stamford Bridge and won – the latter twice – which only highlights their hit and miss nature.

There are also doubts over John Terry and Frank Lampard’s participation. The pair have been disappointing all season, however their experience and nous in the crunch Premier League encounters could be critical to their chances on Sunday. Even with them in the side I expect Manchester United, who were awesome at Arsenal, Man City and Liverpool recently – the latter albeit in defeat, the other two in victories – to prevail.

Value Bet: Wayne Rooney First Goalscorer @ 6/1 (WilliamHill)

I love a cheeky goalscorer punt in the Super Sunday games, and Rooney stands out like a sore thumb. The United striker has 13 for the season in the league, six of which were scored on the road, and he’ll appreciate the rest bite gained from sitting out Tuesday’s home clash with Stoke. Furthermore, it was he who opened the scoring on two separate visits to Stamford Bridge last season, in the opening leg of a Champions League semi-final and in the league.

Match Odds

Chelsea – 13/8 (Bet365)

Draw – 23/10 (BetVictor)

Manchester United – 19/10 (Coral)

Swansea V Chelsea

Tuesday, 31 January 2012 – 19:45 GMT

Stamford Bridge, London

Without playing spectacular, Chelsea are steadily improving. All season we’ve been critical of their back-four, but since that shock 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge they’ve only conceded once in the league – while it’s now three consecutive clean sheets following their 1-0 victory at QPR in the fourth-round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

However, the Blues will be missing a number of influential figures for Tuesday’s trip to Wales, with Frank Lampard, Ramires and captain John Terry all ruled out because of injury. It means new signing Gary Cahill will make his Chelsea début in the heart of defence, partnering Brazilian David Luiz, while Michael Essien could also earn his first start of the season following a prolonged spell on the sidelines.

Fernando Torres will continue to lead the line despite failing to score in his last eleven Premier League appearances, since he opened the scoring in a 4-1 win at home to Swansea on 24 September. This drought of his could quite easily stretch to twelve; Swansea have kept six clean sheets in eleven home league games thus far, and boast the joint-strongest home defence in the top-flight with only six conceded.

The problem is, Brendan Rodgers’ Swans aren’t prolific. They’re a handful, as Arsenal found out earlier in the month when conceding three in a shock 3-2 defeat, but they do lack penetration and incision at times – just four teams have netted fewer than their tally of 23 from 22 games – and should find a reinvigorated Chelsea defence a lot harder to break down – even without John Terry at the heart of it.

Chelsea are arguably at their weakest right now, with manager Andre Villas-Boas shorn of several talismanic figures. Nevertheless, their quality in the attacking third should ensure they leave Wales relatively unscathed – but will a barren Torres? El Nino is 13/8 to score any time in proceedings; 11/2 to open the scoring (both with Bet365).

Match Facts

- Swansea have lost one of their eleven home Premier League games so far, losing 1-0 Manchester United back in November.

- The Swans have conceded just six goals at home (joint-best home defence in PL), keeping six clean sheets.

- Chelsea have lost just one of their last ten Premier League matches (W5 D4 L1) and are unbeaten in six on their travels (W3 D3), since a 1-0 loss to QPR in October.

- During this six-game undefeated away run, Chelsea keeper Petr Cech has conceded just three times and kept as many clean sheets – the only occasion where he conceded more than once in an away match this season was in a 3-1 defeat to Manchester United at Old Trafford back in September.

Match Odds: Swansea 16/5; Draw 12/5; Chelsea 10/11 (Bet365)

Recommended Bet: Chelsea 2-1 (Correct Score) @ 15/2 (WilliamHill)

At the weekend it was the FA Cup, now the focus in England switches swiftly to the Barclay’s Premier League as various tussles across the entire division resurface on Tuesday (31 Jan) and Wednesday (1 Feb).

Straight to matters at the summit and after Manchester City’s dramatic late win over Tottenham Hotspur on 22 January, it would seem the Premier League trophy is staying in Manchester. That aforementioned result ensured Roberto Mancini’s Citizens remained three-points clear of neighbours United, leaving Spurs lagging eight-points off the pace of the leaders.

Premier League Title Betting with Bet365: Man City 2/5, Man Utd 9/4, Tottenham 20/1

It could be all change, though, depending on Tuesday’s results, with all three title protagonists involved in proceedings.

Tottenham (1/4 WilliamHill) are presented with a fabulous opportunity to get straight back to winning ways in the league with a home clash against Wigan (16/1 BetVictor). The Latics currently prop up the division in 20TH and are without a win in seven, shipping ten goals in their last three away PL matches combined, but were, however, 1-0 winners on their last visit to White Hart Lane, in August of 2010.

Manchester United (3/10 888Sport) have won seven of their eight Premier League tussles with Stoke City (12/1 PaddyPower), including all three in Manchester, so any chance of the Red Devils slipping up at Old Trafford would appear slim. But the Potters did hold Liverpool to a 0-0 draw at Anfield in their most recent Premier League away game, while it was they who were the dominant force when the two sides locked horns earlier in the season at the Brittania in a 1-1 draw back in September.

Meanwhile, Man City (20/23 Boylesports) take on David Moyes’ inconsistent Everton (15/4 BetVictor) at Goodison Park. It is, however, a fixture the Citizens came unstuck in last season, losing 2-1 despite dominating the opening 45 minutes and taking a deserved 1-0 lead into the interval. Revenge is on the cards, though – Everton have won only two of their last eight home PL games, scoring just six times in the process, whereas City are searching for their fourth straight league win and are firm favourites to do so having had the weekend off due to their early exit from the FA Cup.

The race for fourth hots up with Chelsea and Liverpool both in action on Tuesday, at Swansea and Wolves respectively, with Arsenal taking on Bolton at The Reebok 24 hours later.

Top-Four Finish Betting with WilliamHill: Chelsea 2/5, Arsenal 2/1, Liverpool 7/2

Chelsea (17/20 WilliamHill) are the current occupants of fourth and are five-points clear of their closest pursuer, Arsenal, while Liverpool are a point further back in seventh. The Blues are the most likely to come a cropper. Though, you feel – Swansea (4/1 SkyBet) have been beaten just once in eleven home Premier League games this season and will still be buoyed by their 3-2 victory over Arsenal in their last encounter at the Liberty Stadium.

Speaking of Arsenal (8/11 Ladbrokes), the Gunners won’t have it easy either. Arsene Wenger’s side were unconvincing in the FA Cup at the weekend, edging past Aston Villa at home, and must now go to a resurgent Bolton (9/2 StanJames), who beat Liverpool 3-1 last time out at The Reebok in the league, desperate to avoid a third consecutive away defeat. Moreover, The Reebok was where Arsenal’s world came crashing down around them last season, with a 2-1 loss confirming the end of their title bid last April.

As for Liverpool (3/4 WilliamHill), well they are very much expected to complete a routine win at Wolves (17/4 StanJames) – a fixture they cruised to a 3-0 success in last season. Kenny Dalglish’s side have lost their previous two away league games, at Bolton and Man City, but responded emphatically with quick-fire eliminations of Man City and Man Utd from the Carling Cup and FA Cup. Now the Reds are hotly tipped to dispatch of second from bottom Wolves, who are without a league win in eight and have suffered four defeats in their previous five matches at Molineux in all competitions.

Elsewhere…

Mark Hughes’ QPR (4/1 BetVictor) go to Aston Villa (17/20 WilliamHill) with both sides searching for back-to-back Premier League wins; a Newcastle (7/4 Bet365) side thumped 5-2 at Fulham last time out in the league pay relegation favourites Blackburn (13/8 StanJames) a visit at Ewood Park; the previously mentioned Fulham (10/11 WilliamHill) entertain Roy Hodgson’s inconsistent Baggies (15/4 bWin), while a cracking contest could be in store at the Stadium of Light as Martin O’Neill’s invigorated Black Cats (17/20 WilliamHill) host Paul Lambert’s high-flying Canaries (15/4 BetVictor).

Full list of Premier League fixtures for Tuesday (31 Jan) and Wednesday (1 Feb):

Swansea V Chelsea

Tottenham V Wigan

Wolves V Liverpool

Everton V Man City (LIVE on SKY SPORTS 2)

Manchester United V Stoke

Aston Villa V QPR

Blackburn V Newcastle

Bolton V Arsenal

Fulham V West Brom

Sunderland V Norwich (LIVE on SKY SPORTS 2)

Norwich V Chelsea

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 21 January 2012 – 12:45 GMT

Venue: Carrow Road

Preview

Enjoying their best run of form for well over a month, title chasing Chelsea go to Norwich bidding to secure their fourth win in a row – three in the league, one in the FA Cup – that would see them reduce their arrears on long-time leaders Manchester City, who aren’t in action till the Sunday when they host title rivals Tottenham.

With their rivals coming a cropper of late, Chelsea have been able to put some meaningful breathing space between themselves and those hot on their heels below. The Blues are now four points clear of Arsenal in fifth, which means Andre Villas-Boas’ charges can focus solely on climbing the table and mounting a serious charge on the summit, instead of fearing who could leapfrog them should they come unstuck.

Come unstuck they might, as Norwich have proved on numerous occasions that they are certainly no pushovers. Despite this being their first stint at top flight football for six years, the Canaries have surprisingly held their own – they sit ninth after 21 games, eleven points clear of the relegation places, and have already established a reputation for goals.

Norwich also gave United a run for their money at Old Trafford, eventually losing 2-0 despite creating several gilt-edged chances with the score still deadlocked, but did manage to hold Liverpool at Anfield to a 1-1 draw.

It is remarkable to think that Paul Lambert’s men are still to keep a clean sheet in the Premier League this season. It also gives us a fair indication as to their style of football, which is open and expansive to say the very least. Only those positioned in the bottom-five have shipped more goals (36), although Norwich (32) have plundered more than Liverpool (24) and just eight fewer than high-flying Chelsea.

Should be a thoroughly entertaining affair then, with goals almost guaranteed by the looks of it. There were four when the two teams locked horns at Stamford Bridge in August, although the majority of those were netted by the hosts, Chelsea, who eventually won the contest 3-1, but not before Norwich had their goalkeeper, John Ruddy, sent off with the score at 1-1 in the 80TH minute.

There was little between them when all 22 players were on the pitch – if anything, Norwich looked the likelier winner – so this may not be a straightforward encounter for the visitors, who are odds-on favourites to record their sixth consecutive victory over Norwich in all competitions even though they’ve been winning of late without playing at all well.

Match Pointers

- Chelsea are on a five-match winning streak versus Norwich, winning 3-1 at Stamford Bridge back in August – though the Canaries were reduced to ten-men in the 80th minute with the score at 1-1.

- Norwich haven’t recorded a win over Chelsea, in any competition, for eighteen-years, since a 3-0 victory at Carrow Road in December 1994.

- Hosts Norwich sit 9TH in the Premier League (W7 D7 L7), eleven points clear of the relegation zone after back-to-back away wins over QPR (1-2) and West Brom (1-2).

- The Canaries have been beaten by London opposition at home twice this season, losing 2-1 to Arsenal and 2-0 to Tottenham.

- Chelsea (W12 D4 L5) are up to fourth after back-to-back league wins over Wolves (1-2) and Sunderland (1-0).

- Andre Villas-Boas’ side have lost just two of ten away Premier League matches this season (W5 D3 L2), and none of their last five, winning three.

Betting

Prediction: Chelsea to WIN @ 8/13 PaddyPower

They say it’s a sign of a successful team when they’re winning matches without playing to their full potential or ability. Chelsea are world beaters then, as they struggled against Championship opposition recently in the FA Cup, edging past Portsmouth despite a flattering 4-1 score, while last week saw them torn to shreds at home by Sunderland. Villas-Boas & Co just so happened to win that too, although I have no idea how.

From a defensive point of view, Chelsea still scare the living daylights out of me. Sunderland made a mockery of their back-line at Stamford Bridge, creating glorious openings with consummate ease. Now, Sunderland aren’t renowned for their attacking or scoring prowess; Norwich are, and they won’t hold back at home, in front of a lively Carrow Road packed to the rafters, in testing this unconvincing rearguard that has conceded an uncharacteristic 25 goals in 21 league games so far this season.

London clubs Arsenal and Tottenham have gone to Norwich and won this season, the latter with ease, so the omens are good for West Londoners Chelsea. I can see Andre Villas-Boas celebrating another maximum haul, especially as Fernando Torres appears on the cusp of another ‘second-coming’, but they’re unlikely to have things all their own way.

Value Bet: Over 3.5 Goals @ 13/8 SkyBet

Norwich are set up in such a way that goals are inevitable, whether it be them converting of the opponent. They’ll enjoy playing against this Chelsea defence – anyone would – but every time they pile numbers forward they leave themselves exposed to the counter, which is where the visitors should enjoy plenty of success.

Match Odds

Norwich – 5/1 Ladbrokes

Draw – 3/1 Bet365

Chelsea – 8/13 PaddyPower

Tottenham Hotspur V Chelsea

Date & Kick-Off: Thursday, 22 December 2011 – 20:00 GMT

Venue: White Hart Lane

Preview

A match which could separate the pretender from the contender, as title protagonists Tottenham and Chelsea renew their London rivalry at White Hart Lane on Thursday in what has all the makings of a pre-Christmas cracker.

A battle between the powers from the North and West of London. Third against fourth in the Barclay’s Premier League. The experienced Harry Redknapp pitting his managerial wits against the newest kid on the block, 34-year-old Andre Villas-Boas. Whichever way you look at it, we could have a real classic on our hands here – especially as there’s so much riding on the result.

Imperious Spurs shorn of key men

Having played one game fewer than all their rivals, Tottenham could potentially do some serious damage with victory. In all probability they would eliminate Chelsea from the title race in the process, but more importantly they’d enhance their own title credentials with a win seeing as they’ve already beaten the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool this season – at home, more poignantly.

Achieving their seventh win of the campaign on home soil, and extending their four-game winning run in the league at White Hart Lane, will not be easy, though; Spurs manager Harry Redknapp is resigned to being without speedster Aaron Lennon on the right-hand side of Midfield and could even be missing his left-midfield dynamo as well, with Gareth Bale rated ‘very doubtful’ with the ankle injury that kept him out of Sunday’s 1-0 victory over Sunderland.

There is at least some good news for Harry. His side are in imperious form – Sunday’s home success against Sunderland ensured Tottenham bounced back from their first league defeat in twelve the match before, when losing 2-1 at Stoke, while it also maintained their winning streak at home, too, which now stands at four; the previous three were earned without conceding a goal.

Inconsistent Blues seeking major scalp

Chelsea were brought back down to earth with a thud at Wigan last time out. There were scenes of ecstasy at Stamford Bridge after the Blues inflicted a first league defeat of the season on long-time league leaders Man City, however the euphoria from that success was quickly dispersed following their bitterly disappointing draw at Wigan at the weekend that left them nine points adrift of the summit.

So it’s back to the drawing board for manager Andre Villas-Boas, although it isn’t all bad for the Portuguese tactician. Chelsea have now gone four games unbeaten in the league, a run consisting of three wins, while they have only conceded once in their last three away matches.

However, the Blues have been largely inconsistent on their travels, winning only half of their fixtures thus far (W4 D2 L2), while their record away to Tottenham in recent years truly is abysmal: they’ve not won on any of their previous five visits in the league, losing four, with their last success there dating back to August 2005.

News that John Terry has a date with the Magistrates is also a huge distraction, with the Chelsea and England skipper due in court on 1 February. Despite that shocking news, Terry will captain his team out against Tottenham on Thursday. He will not be partnered by Brazilian David Luis however, who is sidelined with a knee injury, although Ramires is fit and available after missing the weekend trip to Wigan.

Match Pointers

- In all competitions, Tottenham are unbeaten in five versus Chelsea at home (W3 D2).

- Last season’s White Hart Lane Premier League encounter between the two sides ended 1-1; Roman Pavlyuchenko opened the scoring for Spurs but his effort was cancelled out by Didier Drogba midway through the second half.

- Tottenham have won 6 of 7 at home in the league, recording wins over Arsenal (2-1) and Liverpool (4-0), and are currently on a four-match winning streak at White Hart Lane.

- Brad Fridel has clocked up 278 minutes since his last goal conceded in goal for Tottenham at White Hart Lane, with the veteran shot-stopper having kept clean sheets in each of the previous three on home soil against Aston Villa, Bolton and Sunderland.

- Chelsea have won precisely 50% of their away matches so far (W4 D2 L2), though they do boast the joint second-strongest away defence (7 conceded).

- The Blues are unbeaten in four in the Premier League, winning three, but were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw by Wigan in their last away venture.

Our Prediction: Chelsea to WIN – 7/4 PaddyPower

For me, so much depends on the availability of Gareth Bale. The loss of Aaron Lennon is devastating enough, but Spurs without Bale seriously lacks betting appeal – especially seeing as the Welsh maestro would have thrived up against the often suspect Jose Bosingwa. Spurs do still have players who could hurt Chelsea. The problem is, all their attacks would have to come through the middle, with Rafael Van der Vaart naturally becoming the focal point, and that’s a lot easier to defend against.

Considering they’ve been found wanting against genuine pace all season long, Chelsea will be praying Gareth Bale isn’t fit enough to play any part. If he doesn’t make it, I’m all over Andre Villas-Boas & Co.

Tottenham, from an attacking point of view, will struggle to trouble a Chelsea defence which has conceded just one goal in its last three away matches without the raw energy that Lennon and Bale provide on the flanks, which gives them variety when coupled with the threat Van der Vaart and Adebayor pose through the centre. Without them, Spurs will be far too predictable to defend against.

In contrast, Chelsea do have variety. Juan Mata is so difficult to pick up, Daniel Sturridge’s pace will ask so many questions of full-back Benoit Assou-Ekotto, who does at times go missing in the crunch games, while Didier Drogba’s indomitable presence is a big problem for a Spurs back-four likely to be shorn of Ledley King.

It’s crazy to think that Chelsea can only draw at Wigan but manage to beat Tottenham, but that’s what I’m banking on should Gareth Bale not come to the fore on Thursday.

Value Bet: Chelsea 3-1 (Correct Score) – 25/1 Ladbrokes

Match Odds

Tottenham – 13/8 VictorChandler

Draw – 5/2 Ladbrokes

Chelsea – 7/4 PaddyPower

Chelsea V Manchester City

Date & Kick-Off: Monday, 12 December 2011 – 20:00 GMT

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Preview

Manchester City have a truly awful record away to Chelsea in the league, losing on eight of their last nine visits, but have fared brilliantly away to their rivals this season. A fortnight ago they negotiated Liverpool at Anfield, earning a creditable draw, while no-one will ever forget the 6-1 drubbing handed out to arch rivals United at Old Trafford back in October. So how will Roberto Mancini’s team of Premier League record breakers handle Andre Villas-Boas’ resurgent charges at Stamford Bridge?

It really is a tantalising prospect: a Chelsea team buoyed by their progress in the Champions League going up against the current Premier League pacesetters, a Man City side who didn’t quiet make the grade in Europe this season but have set the benchmark back home by winning 12 of their first 14 league matches in a simply stunning unbeaten sequence. Few have been able to get anywhere near them, so being the first is a genuine incentive for everyone.

According to a tempestuous Andre Villas-Boas, defeat on Monday is inconceivable. Chelsea kick-off proceedings ten points behind the long-time leaders, an already worrying deficit that would grow to thirteen with a fifth loss of the campaign. Disconcertingly, ahead of a fixture they dare not lose but really have to be winning if they’re to remain genuine title contenders, the Blues have lost three of their last four domestic fixtures at Stamford Bridge – though their last match there was Wednesday’s 3-0 defeat of Valencia which sealed qualification to the knockouts of the Champions League. The perfect tonic, perhaps?

Despite holding sway at the summit, Roberto Mancini believes it is too early to be claiming the Premier League is there’s to lose. Nevertheless, it is they who are favourites to go in at Christmas top of the pile, that is provided they don’t slip-up at either Chelsea, on Monday, or at home to Arsenal, the following weekend, beforehand. The Citizens are also under a bit of pressure following United’s comfortable win over Wolves on Saturday, which reduced City’s lead to just two points. It will shoot back up to five however with a rare triumph in West London, a region they’ve found problematic this season having edged out QPR at Loftus Road but only conjuring a draw at Fulham.

Chelsea

League Position: 5th

League Form: LWLWW

It has been described as a must-not-lose fixture by Andre Villas-Boas, Chelsea’s former Mr. Cool who has rapidly turned into Mr. Cranky. But if Chelsea are to convince themselves that they are genuine title contenders, let alone everybody else, then victory over the league leaders is a must. There is no which way about it, not with defeats to Arsenal, Liverpool and United hanging over them.

Funnily enough, despite seeing his team lose three of their previous four domestic fixtures at Stamford Bridge, bookmakers are confident the Portuguese tactician can masterminded the demise of the so far infallible Man City. The Blues are 6/4 favourites to triumph in the Monday night fixture and follow up Wednesday’s success in the Champions League over Valencia, when a 3-0 win at the Bridge was enough to send the Blues through to the last-16 as group winners.

However, Arsenal and Liverpool have both gone to Chelsea this season and scored goals with an element of ease, and both left victorious. Liverpool did twice in the space of a fortnight in fact. Now some might say that’s ominous ahead of the visit of the most prolific team in Premier League history at this stage of the season, with the Citizens having netted 48 times so far – 13 more than the next best, which is United, and 17 more than Chelsea have mustered.

Nevertheless the Blues are in the ascendency, winning their last two matches 3-0. That’s back-to-back clean sheets for a defence which will be handed the sternest of examinations on Monday, while they did also win their last Premier League home game by the scoreline, although read into that what you will, as it was against lowly Wolves.

Team News: After picking up his fifth caution of the season at Newcastle last time out in the league, David Luiz will serve a one-match suspension for the visit of Man City. Branislav Ivanovic should switch to centre-back with Jose Bosingwa filling at right-back. Frank Lampard didn’t feature at all against Valencia and may lost out again as Villas-Boas opts to remain a dynamic midfield three of Oriel Romeu, Raul Meireles and Ramires. Didier Drogba, who scored twice against the La Liga outfit, will spearhead the Chelsea attack with Fernando Torres once again consigned to a place on the bench.

Manchester City

League Position: 1st

League Form: WWWDW

Compared with where their opponents sit in the league, it is almost laughable to suggest Manchester City, the long-time leaders of the Premier League, are under any meaningful pressure heading into Monday’s mouthwatering clash at Stamford Bridge. Yet they are. Their lead at the top has been cut right down to size over the weekend, with United now within striking distance. There is also the not so small matter of overcoming the disappointment sustained from their failure to qualify for the last-16 of the Champions League.

Playing an in-form Liverpool at Anfield on 27 November was a true test of their resolve. You could argue that they passed, just, after grounding out a hard-fought 1-1 draw. But they were by no means convincing. That result maintained a pattern for City, whose form domestically has suffered immediately after European heartache. Their 2-2 draw at Fulham came right on the back of a disappointing 1-1 home draw with Napoli, while their laborious display at Anfield came off the back of their 2-1 loss in Naples.

Now, City didn’t slump to a defeat in midweek. In fact they beat a much-changed Bayern Munich very easily in Manchester, winning 2-0. But with Napoli’s win over Villarreal confirming their elimination from the tournament, that Bayern triumph will have felt a lot like a loss. Some how they must find a way to keep their emotions in check, as Stamford Bridge – where they’ve won only once in their last thirteen league visits – is where it could potentially all unravel.

Away from my observations, City do appear exceptional value on paper. They have scored goals for absolute fun in the league this season, including six at Old Trafford, averaging 3 a game away from home. Only Liverpool can match their defensive prowess, with both having shipped just 13 goals. While they remain the only undefeated side in the Premier League.

However, the cracks are starting to appear, especially in this joint-strongest defence of theirs; Joe Hart, who needed to produce a goalkeeping master-class at Anfield to keep his side’s imperious domestic run in tact, has now gone seven league games without a clean sheet. Moreover, City have found this particular region of the capital problematic, having struggled to break QPR’s resolve – eventually winning 3-2 – but failing with Fulham – drawing 2-2 at Craven Cottage.

Team News: Micah Richards is doubtful after sitting out Wednesday’s 2-0 defeat of Bayern Munich in the Champions League with a calf injury, with Montenegrin defender Stefan Savic deployed as a makeshift full-back. However with Pablo Zabaleta back fit, Mancini could opt to draft in the Argentinian at right-back. Edin Dzeko was very disappointing in that game and could lose his place to Mario Balotelli, the Italian who has seven goals in his last nine Premier League appearances. Alexsandar Kolarov is out injured.

Match Pointers

- Three of the last four league meetings between the two sides ended in victory for Manchester City, although the Citizens have only been victorious on two of their fourteen visits to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League (W2 D2 L10).

- Manchester City have failed to score on eight of their last nine visits to Chelsea in the league, though the only team they did manage to find the goal they did so on four occasions and ended up winning the fixture (won 2-4 back in February 2010).

- Chelsea have won five of seven league games at Stamford Bridge this season (W5 D0 L2), however the visit of Wolves on 26 November saw the Blues keep only their first home clean sheet of the campaign, conceding 11 in total on their own patch.

- Daniel Sturridge has scored in each of Chelsea’s previous three league matches and is Andre Villas-Boas’ leading marksmen for the tern with seven goals.

- Manchester City have made the best start to a season by any side in Premier League history, winning 12 of their first 14 games without losing any (W12 D2 L0).

- The Citizens have only kept one clean sheet on the road, which came at lowly Blackburn on 1 October.

- Sergio Aguero has only made 13 Premier League appearances so far but has 11 goals to his name.

Betting

The fact City have underperformed in West London so far this season may be a load of superstitious old nonsense, even though it is a fact. Even so, it doesn’t bode well. The superior West London outfit await them on Monday, at a venue where their record in the Premier League is retched, and with the Blues reinvigorated following back-to-back 3-0 wins – the latter an impressive victory over Valencia which secured progress in the Champions League – I’m expecting the hosts to match a still undefeated in the league Man City stride for stride.

In recent games, Chelsea have looked so much more balanced. Having several defensive-minded players in the team has certainly helped, as has limiting David Luiz’s offensive duties. The Brazilian is unavailable for this game, which could be a blessing in itself as it means John Terry will marshal a flat back-four.

Daniel Sturridge has also come into his own on the right, complimenting the powerful Didier Drogba who is proving he still has all the necessary attributes to score pivotal goals for the Blues, like the two he scored against Valencia during the week. There will also be some huge names on the Chelsea bench, which means Villas-Boas has options should his team require a goal late on.

Personally I make City slight favourites. Their domestic form has been sublime while the thought of setting up a team to contain Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Mario Baloteli is a frightening prospect. However, they haven’t quite been their imperious selves in recent weeks, particularly in defence, and came to within a whisker of relinquishing their unbeaten record away at Liverpool in their most recent testing encounter. Meanwhile Chelsea are playing with some renewed vigour and confidence and are another opponent who won’t be easy to blow over.

Prediction: Draw – 12/5 bWin

Value Bet: 1-1 Draw – 6/1 WilliamHill

Match Odds

Chelsea – 6/4 Bet365

Draw – 12/5 bWin

Manchester City – 9/5 PaddyPower

Chelsea V Valencia

Date & Kick-Off: Tuesday, 6 December 2011 – 19:45 GMT

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Preview

It is crunch time for Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League who on Tuesday, after 90 minutes with Valencia at Stamford Bridge, will know exactly where their European commitments lie for the remainder of the campaign. A win over the in-form La Liga outfit would assure the Blues of their place in the Round of 16; however, anything less and the Europa League could await Andre Villas-Boas’ charges.

Stamford Bridge has hosted many a momentous night in the Champions League, but this early in the tournament? The ignominy of failing to guide Chelsea into the latter stages of the competition for the very first time in nine-years awaits Andre Villas-Boas, that is unless the Portuguese tactician can mastermind a win over Valencia on Tuesday night. Should he not, he’ll be presented with the opportunity to defend his Europa League crown that he won as manager of FC Porto last season.

Nobody at Chelsea is contemplating failure, though. They boast a 100% record at home in the group phase thus far, recording comfortable wins over Bayer Leverkusen (2-0) and Genk (5-0), and will use Saturday’s impressive 3-0 win at Newcastle in the league as a platform for Tuesday’s make or break encounter.

The omens appear good, then, for Villas-Boas & Co especially as Valencia are without a win away from home in this season’s competition. Los Che were held to a goalless draw in Genk, where, incidentally, Chelsea were also held to a draw (1-1), while they too, like Chelsea, went down 2-1 away to Bayer Leverkusen.

Their forms is general, however, could not be more contrasting. Chelsea may have been victorious at the weekend, but that was only their third win in an otherwise disastrous eight-game spell containing three defeats in four at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile Valencia have won seven of their previous eight in all competitions, including the previous three away from home, with the only blemish being a narrow 3-2 loss at home to La Liga leaders Real Madrid.

As you can patently see, Chelsea’s inclusion in the knockouts is anything but a foregone conclusion. A 0-0 draw would suffice, but it isn’t in Andre Villas-Boas DNA to target such a result. So expect the hosts to at least try and seize the initiative at Stamford Bridge. Many have called for Fernando Torres to start, though the Spaniard is unlikely to do so having started just one of the previous five matches – the 2-0 loss to Liverpool in the Carling Cup last Tuesday.

So long as Valencia score on the night, they’ll significantly enhance their chances of progressing. I suspect Unai Emery, the Valencia head coach, will want his team to remain compact and organised in the early stages, playing mainly on the counter. However Chelsea, under Villas-Boas, do invite teams onto them and Valencia may struggle to resist – not that it’s necessarily a bad thing from their point of view; Chelsea have conceded nine goals in their last four matches at home, all coming against teams in Arsenal and Liverpool who thrived using a counter-attacking style.

Qualifying Permutations

- A Chelsea victory would see them qualify regardless of what happens elsewhere, as they would then finish three points above Valencia, who would drop into the Europa League.

- A Chelsea win, accompanied by Bayer Leverkusen losing or drawing out in Belgium versus Genk, would ensure Andre Villas-Boas’ men top Group E.

- Valencia require either a win or a score-draw to qualify for the last-16; because their meeting at the Mestalla finished 1-1, and with Valencia boasting a superior goal difference (by 2 goals), a score-draw of any kind would be sufficient for the Spanish side to qualify at Chelsea’s expense, who would then drop into the Europa League.

- Valencia will finish top if they beat Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen fail to win at Genk, or if they draw with Chelsea and Bayer Leverkusen lose at Genk.

Match Pointers

- Chelsea have only ever lost once to Spanish opposition, back in 2005 to Barcelona at Stamford Bridge, with their record overall an encouraging W7 D3 L1.

- The Blues are also unbeaten in five versus Valencia, though the previous two meetings in England ended in draws.

- Valencia have only been victorious once on English, beating Liverpool 1-0 back in 2002, drawing on nine of their previous fourteen visits including each of the last four.

- Chelsea have only won three of their last eight matches in all competitions (W3 D1 L4), and have suffered defeats in three of their previous four at Stamford Bridge.

- Valencia have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions, with their only reverse in a little over a month coming at home to La Liga leaders Real Madrid at the Mestalla; they’ve won each of their previous three on the road.

Betting

Stamford Bridge lives for nights like this in the Champions League – but the fact it’s comes so early has taken everyone by surprise. This is huge, colossal even, and could very well be a defining night in Chelsea’s season – and possibly Andre Villas-Boas’ future as manager. So will Terry, Lampard, Drogba & Co rise to the occasion? They haven’t done so on too many occasions this season, and I am afraid to say I have little faith in them doing so on Tuesday, either.

Saturday’s 3-0 win at Newcastle should have given them a welcome boost in self-belief, but the final scoreline didn’t half flatter them. Yes they created chances, enough to score three times, but they were still very suspect at the back and this same suspect backline, one which shipped four in two games within the space of a fortnight at home to Liverpool, and five at home to Arsenal a little over a month ago, has been found wanting this season against anything resembling quality. Valencia’s offence is certainly that, with Roberto Saldado in particular keen to capitalise.

My view on Chelsea at the minute is that they are unbalanced and severally lacking cohesion. Villas-Boas doesn’t appear to know who his strongest eleven players are. In stark contrast, Unai emery has a settled team, one no doubt buoyed by their rich vein of form which has seen them win seven of their last eight matches, and with a ruthless striker up top I see them scoring the goal(s) to take them through.

Match Outcome: Draw – 11/4 Bet365

Value Bet: Roberto Soldado to Score – 12/5 StanJames

Match Odds

Chelsea – 8/11 Boylesports

Draw – 11/4 Bet365

Valencia – 4/1 PaddyPower

Chelsea V Liverpool

Date & Kick-Off: Sunday, 20 November 2011 – 16:00 GMT

Venue: Stamford Bridge

Preview

There’s very little doubt Sunday’s encounter at Stamford Bridge between Chelsea and Liverpool tops this weekend’s billing, even though meetings between these two clubs have rarely matched all the pre-match hype and expectations, as two teams vying for a top four finish do battle in the West of London.

Under two different managers, and courtesy of two players who are no longer at the club but instead are now part of the Chelsea set-up, Liverpool did the double over the Blues last season. Former Anfield favourite Fernando Torres scored a brace almost a year ago to the day as the Reds ran out comfortable 2-0 winners on Merseyside, while midfielder Raul Meireles settled matters at Stamford Bridge by scoring the only goal of the game to secure a second 1-0 win for Liverpool in three visits.

Will former allies turned sworn enemies come back to haunt Kenny Dalglish and Liverpool? You could argue no. Fernando Torres’ scoring woes are well documented – the Spaniard has notched just five times in 30 appearances for his new club – while Raul Meireles has struggled to nail down a regular starting place in Andre Villas-Boas’ team since switching Merseyside for London on the final day of last summer’s transfer window.

An intriguing contest then, for rather obvious reasons. But, despite Liverpool boasting what I would consider to be a very healthy recent record at Stamford Bridge – they have been triumphant on two of their previous three league visits – Chelsea are firm favourites to exact revenge.

The Blues are odds-on (10/11 with WilliamHill) to claim all the spoils in the only top flight fixture scheduled for Sunday. You can get 13/5 (VictorChandler) on a draw, though 1995 was the last occasion these two played out a stalemate at Stamford Bridge. Meanwhile, a third victory in four visits to Chelsea for Liverpool does look rather tasty at 15/4 (VictorChandler).

Chelsea

League Position: 4th

League Form: WWLLW

Win or bust – that’s how Chelsea must approach Sunday’s clash with Liverpool. Anything less and they can kiss any remaining flicker of hope they had of taking back their league crown.

Is it too early to be making such bold statements like the one above? I mean, are Chelsea really capable of clawing back twelve points between now and the end of the season? Defeat on Sunday – what would be their second in a row at Stamford Bridge, in general and versus Liverpool – and that very scenario could be a reality for Andre Villas-Boas, who seems to have lost much of his calm and collected qualities which endeared him to the English media when he first touched down in London.

A touchline ban awaits Villas-Boas after he was charged with improper conduct following his post-match rant at Loftus Road last month – though he has appealed that verdict, not that he will have much success. Fortunately for his team, he isn’t suspended for Sunday’s heavyweight clash with Chelsea’s bogey team in recent years, Liverpool; the Reds have beaten Chelsea in four of the pair’s last six league meetings, including two of the previous three at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking of Stamford Bridge, this is the first Premier League fixture to be staged there since that epic encounter with Arsenal at the back end of October. Chelsea conceded five goals in that match, losing 5-3 despite taking the lead twice. That was the first time they had shipped five in a top flight match for over 20 years, since they were spanked by Liverpool, fittingly, back in 1989. If they defend on Sunday like they did against the Gunners, you wouldn’t rule out Luis Suarez & Co also running riot.

Chelsea did however respond to that Arsenal loss, beating Blackburn 1-0 at Ewood Park in their very next outing. Though, in fairness, their performance made more headlines than the actual result; yet again the Blues were out of sorts, particularly at the back, and, on another day, could of lost that game. Still, it didn’t take them long to relocate the winning track – though whether they can stay on track remains to be seen.

Liverpool

League Position: 6th

League Form: WDDWD

Having struggled this season to put the likes of Norwich, Sunderland and Swansea to bed at home, what hope is there for Liverpool away at Chelsea? Well, their recent record at Stamford Bridge is surprisingly encouraging – they’ve won on two of their last three visits in the league – while their record against the big teams under Kenny Dalglish is outstanding!

Since ‘King Kenny’ began his second reign as Liverpool manager, the Reds have recorded impressive wins over just about everyone worth mentioning. Arsenal, Chelsea, Man Utd and Man City are among the big-named scalps Liverpool have claimed in 2011. So while supporters have every right to feel a little disgruntled with recent results, there is little doubt their side are a team for the big occasion

That said, I am sure every fan will remember how disastrous Liverpool’s last visit to the capital went. A 4-0 defeat to Tottenham was their heaviest league defeat for six years, since a 4-1 loss to Chelsea at Anfield back in October 2005. To their credit, they have shut up shop since; Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal has only conceded three in six Premier League matches since his side’s White Hart Lane horrow showing.

A six-match unbeaten league run; eight in all competitions, a reputation for raising their level in the crunch games, and also some nifty individuals who over the years have proven themselves to be potential match-winners on their day. Luis Suarez especially, whom while he does have an FA investigation hanging over his head, did go and score four in a single game for Uruguay during the break.

So, at odds of almost 4/1, you’ll certainly be getting value on a Liverpool victory. It would be typical of them to go and win on Sunday, after only mustering dour draws at home to Norwich and Swansea recently.

Match Pointers

- Liverpool completed the double over Chelsea last season when winning 2-0 at home and 1-0 at Stamford Bridge, but their scorers in both – Raul Meireles (1) and Fernando Torres (2) – now ply their trade with Andre Villas-Boas’ Blues.

- Four of the last six Premier League meetings were won by Liverpool, all without conceding, including 1-0 wins at Stamford Bridge last season and during the 2009/10 campaign.

- All six previous league meetings have featured only one team scoring.

- Chelsea haven’t managed a goal in three of their last four matches with Liverpool at Stamford Bridge.

- The Blues have yet to keep a Premier League clean sheet at home this season, conceding nine in total, although only the two Manchester clubs have plundered more goals at home than Andre Villas-Boas’ men (15).

- All of Liverpool’s away wins this season, in the league, were by a 2-0 scoreline.

Betting

I’m torn. Liverpool have caused me so much frustration this season, but Chelsea haven’t exactly been a model of consistency of late. You could pick bits of information that would suggest both teams are more than capable of winning this match. For that reason, I’m siding with neither; there hasn’t been a draw in this fixture since 1995, but these two really do look inseparable.

In last season’s encounter at the Bridge, Liverpool implemented their game plan to devastating affect – but they were a tad fortunate to leave with all the spoils. Offensively they offered very little, because Kenny opted for numbers in the middle of the park. I suspect he may try something similar on Sunday, which could suffocate the action. And that doesn’t bode well when you consider how Frank Lampard is as effective in the middle of the park as he once was, or the lack of goals from Liverpool’s midfield this season.

There are of course players in both teams capable of producing a piece of magic that could potentially opening this game up as a contest, but sadly I can see this following the pattern of recent history; goals have come at a premium whenever these two have gone at it in the league and another low-scoring affair wouldn’t be at all surprising.

Match Outcome: Draw – 13/5 VictorChandler

Value Bet: 1-1 Draw (Correct Score) – 13/2 Ladbrokes

Match Odds

Chelsea – 10/11 WilliamHill

Draw – 13/5 VictorChandler

Liverpool – 15/4 VictorChandler

Chelsea V Arsenal

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday, 29 October 2011 – 12:45 GMT

Venue: Stamdford Bridge

TV Coverage: LIVE on Sky Sports 2

Preview

Arsenal and Chelsea go head-to-head in the Premier League for the first time this season on Saturday and while Chelsea go into the match six-points ahead of their London rivals, you could argue that in actual fact it is Arsenal who arrive in better shape… kind of.

Disciplinary issues have dogged Chelsea’s preparations to the game, with the Blues having had three players sent off in the last two games alone – Ross Turnbull and Didier Drogba are both suspended for Saturday’s game but Jose Bosingwa, who was shown red at Loftus Road last weekend, served his one-game ban during the week at Everton. On top of this, there is an ongoing inquiry into allegations John Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand in last Sunday’s 1-0 loss at QPR.

That defeat at Loftus Road was only Chelsea’s second of the season but it could prove decisive, even at this early stage. The Blues now trail leaders Manchester City, who have maintained an supernatural standard ever since the season began back in August, by six points. Defeat on Saturday and that gap could enlarge to nine, which, considering the unrelenting nature of Man City at this present time, could be a bridge too far for the Stamford Bridge lot.

Unbelievably, Arsenal go into the match in a better vein of form. Last week’s 3-1 win at home to Stoke was their second in quick succession in the league but their fourth on the trot in all competitions, with star man Robin Van Persie – the last Arsenal player to score at Stamford Bridge, back in November 2008, which, incidentally, was the last time the Gunners were triumphant in this fixture – having scored braces in his last two league starts, taking his tally for the season to seven – eight in all competitions.

However, it isn’t until you dig a little deep and discover Arsenal’s underlying problems that you realise that perhaps the Gunners aren’t quite the bargain you thought they were. Despite impressive wins in this season’s Champions League away in Udinese and Marseille, Arsene Wenger’s side are still to win away from home in the Premier League in 2011/12 and are without an away win in their last eight. They were thumped 8-2 by Manchester United at Old Trafford at the back end of August, humilated by Blackburn at Ewood Park (4-3) and, more recently, edged out in the first north London derby of the season at White Hart Lane at the beginning of the month, losing 2-1 away at Tottenham.

So it’s a case of take your pick really; there are as many positives as there are negatives for both teams, though one thing is for sure, and that’s neither can afford to relinquish any more ground on their respective goals, which for Chelsea is maintaining a bridgeable gap between themselves and league leaders City while Arsenal must starting reigning in fourth-placed Newcastle, who will start dropping points over the next couple of weeks.

Chelsea

League Position: 3rd

League Form: LWWWL

Just how much has a laborious week of league and cup action taken out of third-placed Chelsea, whom go into this weekend’s London derby with Arsenal knowing another setback could leave them as many as nine-points adrift of runaway leaders Manchester City.

First they were forced to play with just nine men for almost an hour away at QPR last weekend, which ultimately led to Andre Villas-Boas’ men slumping to only their second league defeat of the season. And it was a similar story in the League Cup on Wednesday, when Ross Turnbull’s dismissal midway through the second half meant the Blues had to play the remaining 30 minutes of normal time, as well as 26 of the 30 minutes in extra-time, with a man less – and that, playing with a numerical handicap in successive fixtures, has to take its toll.

So really, it has been an energy-sapping, morale-draining and all-round stinker of a week for Andre Villas-Boas and his team, despite the Portuguese’s obvious delight at his side’s progression in the Carling Cup. And still the dust has yet to settle, with John Terry facing an FA investigation into allegations he racially abused Anton Ferdinand in last Sunday’s heated derby at QPR. That isn’t all, though; Didier Drogba is now suspended, as is back-up goalie Ross Turnbull which means should Petr Cech pick up an injury, or worse yet see red, Chelsea would not have a recognised replacement.

The good news is two-fold: firstly Chelsea will retreat to Stamford Bridge this weekend for Saturday’s must-win clash with rivals Arsenal, while the ineffective Didier Drogba will find his void filled by the returning Fernando Torres, the Spaniard who is gradually finding some scoring form, at long last. The Pensioners are unbeaten in their last eleven league games on home soil, winning ten, while Torres has four goals in his last four starts in all competitions.

The concern for Villas-Boas will be energy levels. At QPR, Chelsea worked tirelessly throughout, even when down to nine men, more so in fact when that happened. They pressed and harried, broke forward at pace and with numbers and should have grabbed an equaliser with at least one of the glorious second-half chances they created; they certainly deserved a result.

Another concern is the fact Chelsea haven’t kept a clean sheet in any of their last seven in the league, or any of their previous six at home, although their home form has been imperious of late; they’ve won all four league games at Stamford Bridge this season, outscoring the opposition by 12 goals to 4.

Arsenal

League Position: 7th

League Form: LWLWW

While the Gunners may languish in seventh position, a staggering twelve-points off the pace of league leaders Man City, they’ll take a lot of heart from their recent form, Chelsea’s tendency to concede cheap goals wherever they play – including at Stamford Bridge – and especially the goalscoring exploits of talismanic striker Robin Van Persie, who has 25 goals in his last 26 Premier League appearances, 11 in his last 12 away from home and seven for the season – while it was Arsenal’s Dutch magician who inspired them to their last victory at Stamford Bridge, a 2-1 win two seasons ago.

So Arsenal will make the short trip across the capital to the West of London in buoyant mood, although I am about to discourage folk a little. While Arsenal’s form of late has picked up, their performances have still left an awful lot to be believed while their reliance on Robin Van Persie worries me, as he won’t bring his A-game to every match and when he doesn’t, everyone instinctively expects Arsenal to falter – and they invariably have whenever he hasn’t got on the scoresheet.

It’s also worth pointing out that while Arsenal touch down in West London in confident mood on the back of back-to-back league wins, both results were earned at their Emirates Stadium. Away from home, however, Arsenal are still without a league win all season – one draw and three defeats, losing their last three away matches by an aggregate of 14-6 – having failed to win any of their previous eight Premier League away games, a run which stretches right the way back to February.

It doesn’t take a genius to figure out where Arsenal have been going wrong on their travels, and that’s at the back. With so many injuries, Arsene Wenger hasn’t been able to send out a regular back-four, while those who have come in and deputised simply haven’t been good enough. So the sight of Thomas Vermaelen back playing will come as a huge relief to Wenger, although the Frenchman is worried about the Belgian’s lack of ‘big-game intensity’. But he’ll start, make no mistake about that, as a half-fit Vermaelen is twice the player of a fully fit Per Mertesacker.

Gervinho’s form of late has also caught the eye, with the Ivorian instrumental in recent wins over Sunderland and Stoke in the league and his side’s narrow victory in Marseille in the Champions League. His pace, and Theo Walcott’s on the opposite flank, really have to stretch this Chelsea defence, a back-four which has looked frail this season, one that hasn’t kept a clean sheet in seven league matches. More importantly, Arsenal need to keep things tight all over the pitch while their midfielders, namely Aaron Ramsey, have to assert themselves a whole lot more if Arsenal are to really compete for 90 minutes with the big boys this season.

Match Pointers

- Chelsea have won five of their last six in all competitions versus Arsenal, including the previous two at Stamford Bridge by a 2-0 scoreline.

- Arsenal have won six times at Stamford Bridge during the Premier League era, more than any other team; their last league win in West London came three seasons ago in November 2008.

- After losing 1-0 to West London neighbours QPR last time out in the league, Chelsea (W6 D1 L2) sit third in the league on 19-points, six adrift of leaders Man City.

- The Gunners (W4 D1 L4) have climbed to seventh after back-to-back league wins, but they are still six-points shy of fourth-placed Newcastle.

- Chelsea have won ten of their last eleven Premier League home games, including the last four, but haven’t kept a clean sheet in their last six at home.

- Arsenal have failed to win any of their previous eight Premier League away games (D3 L5), conceding fourteen in their last three.

Team News

Chelsea - Petr Cech was always going to return in goal but with Ross Turnbull suspended and Hilario injured, the Czech’s return to the starting XI is now a formality. John Terry was rested in midweek in a bid to avoid receiving a fifth domestic caution of the term which would have ruled him out of the Arsenal game, and the England central defender could partner Alex at centre-half with David Luiz considered too much of a liability with his marauding runs forward and temperamental attitude. Ramires has missed Chelsea’s last two league games and is again doubtful with the same knee problem. Micheal Essien remains a long-term absentee but Fernando Torres is back from suspension, timely when you consider Didier Drogba will serve the second of his three-game ban on Saturday.

Arsenal – Arsene Wenger has received a massive boost in the form of Belgian Thomas Vermaelen’s return to full fitness, although Wenger does believe the centre-back lacks ‘big-game intensity’. Nevertheless, Vermaelen is expected to start alongside Laurent Koscielny at the heart of the defence, with John Djourou possibly preferred to Carl Jenkinson at right-back in place of the injured Bacary Sagna. Jack Wilshere won’t feature until the New Year while Yossi Benayoun is ineligible to face his parent club. In-form Gervinho will start on the left-hand side of a three-pronged attack containing Theo Walcott on the right and Robin Van Persie in the centre.

Betting

Although I haven’t been impressed with Arsenal’s recent displays, we are in a results business and you can’t argue with their current form. Wins breathe confidence into any side and so Arsenal, after winning seven of their previous eight games in all competitions, so arrive at Stamford Bridge in buoyant mood, confident they can cause a bit of an upset. And it would be an upset should Arsenal go to Chelsea and win, or take a point for that matter.

There’s not even a debate as to which of the two managers posses a strong batch of players, while Chelsea’s form at home, having won 11 of their last 12, should be too strong for an Arsenal side who haven’t travelled at all well for some time now; the Gunners haven’t won an away fixture in the Premier League since February, losing five and winning none of their previous eight.

I know of several who think Arsenal are outstanding value this weekend, and I suppose you can’t really argue with their odds. They certainly have the armoury to gun down their London rivals, but it’s their defence which frightens me. Even so, I’m not willing to back Chelsea at odds-on, not after the week they’ve endured, and especially not after 120 minutes of gruelling Carling Cup action. So Arsenal are my bet to spring a surprise.

Match Outcome: Arsenal to WIN – 5/1 Ladbrokes

Value Bet: Robin Van Persie to Score a Brace (Two Goals or More) – 14/1 SkyBet

Match Odds

Chelsea – 4/6 Boylesports

Draw – 3/1 Bet365

Arsenal – 5/1 Ladbrokes

Chelsea V Everton

Date & Kick-Off: Saturday 15 October, 2011 – 17:30 (GMT)

Venue: Stamford Bridge

TV Coverage: ESPN

Preview

Stamford Bridge has been something of a fortress in recent times for Chelsea, so reports confirming fans’ worst fears, that the club are indeed considering a move away from their spiritual home, has understandably rocked the local community. But the Blues must go with the times if they’re to compete financially with their domestic and continental rivals.

The whole thing will seem like a slap in the face for Everton. The Toffees are so cash-strapped, David Moyes couldn’t afford to make a single signing in the summer, despite the sales of Yakubu, Jermaine Beckford and Mikel Arteta. Yet their Premier League rivals are contemplating building an extravagant, swanky new stadium. It perfectly surmises where these two clubs are at this precise moment in time, which is poles apart. That hasn’t always tolled on the pitch, however.

Despite the obvious disparity between the two sets of players, Everton have managed to hold their own in this fixture in recent times – and then some, on occasions. So much so that Chelsea have just one solitary win to their name in the pair’s last nine league meetings, while the last six at Stamford Bridge have all ended in draws. And who could forget the last, as Everton ousted Chelsea from the FA Cup after prevailing on penalties in February. Just two months later, Everton would record a 1-0 success at Goodison Park.

So make no mistake about it, this result is by no means a formality, despite the differing directions at which the two clubs are heading, where they are in the table or even the location of the fixture. This is a contest Everton thrive in, and invariably surpass all expectations.

Chelsea

League Position: 3rd

League Form: WWLWW

The timing of recent internationals couldn’t have been any worse from a Chelsea standpoint. The Blues were building up ahead of steam before the break after thumping wins over Swansea and Bolton that saw them plunder no fewer than nine goals. Plus either side of those morale boosting victories was a hard-earned point away to Valencia in the Champions League. So it will be a case of getting straight back on the horse for the Blues this weekend, although that may not be straightforward against one of their more troublesome opponents.

Everton have caused Chelsea more problems than most over the years, with their record at Stamford Bridge very impressive without being overly spectacular. Chelsea haven’t lost at home to Everton in the Premier League since 1994, a run of sixteen matches, but the previous five West London encounters have finished all-square. I doubt there are any teams in world football who can boast a record of five-games unbeaten at the formidable home of the Blues? But you do, however, get the distinct impression that Andre Villas-Boas isn’t the sort of man to concern himself with spooky streaks or bogey reputations, or the type of manager who would accept anything less than a fourth consecutive home win against a side who come into this fixture on the back of two successive defeats.

On the whole, Chelsea’s home form this season has been a little sketchy despite boasting a 100% record. Wins over West Brom and Norwich were far from convincing, but it would appear the cobwebs have well and truly been shaken since. Their last league game at home was a 4-1 hammering of Swansea, a match which did include a sending off for Fernando Torres, who will serve the second of his three-match suspension on Saturday meaning Daniel Sturridge, scorer of two as Chelsea ran riot at The Reebok directly before the international break, will continue to partner Didier Drogba in a three-pronged attack with Juan Mata.

Chelsea’s 5-1 hammering of Bolton last time out was as emphatic a win as they come, with Frank Lampard slamming home a hat-trick in a game Chelsea could have struck double figures had they REALLY applied themselves. A repeat performance on Saturday, with the same intensity and ruthlessness to their play, would make them almost impossible to stop. By the same token, their performance will have to be something special if they’re to trouble a stubborn Everton backline which held out for the best part of an hour away to Man City last month.

Everton

League Position: 13th

League Form: WDWLL

Stopping the rot is what David Moyes is tasked with this weekend. Back-to-back 2-0 losses at the hands of neighbouring rivals Liverpool and title-chasing Manchester City has left the Toffees in a bit of a rut, an expected one to some degree but worrying nonetheless, and halting the slump won’t be easy against an in-form, dare I say imperious Chelsea side who, in stark contrast, are searching for their third straight victory in the Premier League.

Daunting stuff then for the Merseysiders, who can at least take some heart, plenty in fact, from their impressive record at Stamford Bridge. On each of their previous five visits to West London, Everton have come away with a point to show for their efforts, and talisman Tim Cahill believes he and his team-mates must produce another gritty performance at The Bridge if they’re to extend their unbeaten away run against the three-time Premier League champions. One similar to their display away at Man City recently, perhaps?

Had it not been for a huge deflection off of defender Phil Jagielka, Everton might have registered a point from last month’s visit to Eastlands, as up till then they had contained Manchester City’s lavish stars comfortably. David Moyes might be inclined to adopt similar tactics on Saturday in a desperate bid to try and nullify a Chelsea attack which plundered nine goals in its last two league games. Their biggest problem, however, is how they cause problems at the other end of the pitch.

A lack of goals has been Everton’s downfall for quite some time now, since the start of last season in fact. Moyes’ striking options are limited to say the least, with Tim Cahill and Marouane Fellani often deployed as makeshift forwards, to little avail. Six goals from their first six games isn’t the worst tally you’re ever likely to see, but poignantly just one of those were netted on their travels, and even that was a dubious penalty away at Blackburn, in a game they never looked liked scoring, as was the case at Man City when Tim Cahill, playing as a lone striker, formed the shape of a forlorn figure all afternoon – until he was replaced by Louis Saha who performed the same statuesque act.

So I do worry for Everton this weekend, as while they were comfortably beaten by Man City and Liverpool, they could be in for a spanking at Stamford Bridge.

Match Pointers

- The previous five Premier League meetings between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge have ended in draws, three finishing 1-1.

- Chelsea are unbeaten in their last ten Premier League home games (W9 D1 L0) but are without a clean sheet in their last five at Stamford Bridge.

- Everton have lost their last two league matches 2-0, away to Man City and at home to Liverpool.

- The Toffees are also without a win on their travels versus Chelsea in the Premier League since a 1-0 win back in 1994, losing on seven of their sixteen visits since (W0 D9 L7).

- Chelsea lie 3rd in the table (W5 D1 L1 – GF17 GA8) while Everton languish in 13th (W2 D1 L3 – GF6 GA8).

Betting

Everton have posed Chelsea a few problems in recent times, including knocking them out of the FA Cup on penalties in last season’s FA Cup, but I’m struggling to pinpoint where, how or who will inflict any damage to a Chelsea defence which hasn’t keep a clean sheet in any of its last five home games. In contrast, I can see Chelsea’s star-studded forward line, which is in sparkling, free-scoring form, giving Everton custodian Tim Howard a torrid afternoon. I just don’t see how Everton will cope or match the creativity of Chelsea, who boast the marauding runs from midfield of Frank Lampard and Ramires as well as two bang-in-form wingers in Juan Mata and Daniel Sturridge, who aren’t short of pace and were exceptional in Chelsea’s demolition of Bolton last time out.

A comfortable home win for me as Everton’s impressive drawing sequence at Stamford Bridge comes to an emphatic end.

Match Outcome: Chelsea to WIN @ 4/11 WilliamHill

Value Bet: Chelsea 3-0 (Correct Score) @ 10/1 888Sport

Match Odds

Chelsea – 4/11 WilliamHill

Draw – 4/1 Bet365

Everton – 10/1 BetFred