League action returns this week as Luiz Felipe Scolari`s men host an out-of-sorts Middlesbrough side at Stamford Bridge tomorrow (Wednesday) evening.
Both sides secured progression into the fifth round of the FA Cup at the weekend, however it is Boro`s league form that is giving more cause for concern for their supporters and manager Gareth Southgate. The Teesiders currently sit joint bottom of the league on 21 points.
Vital Quotes:
Assistant Ray Wilkins has been speaking ahead of our upcoming league clash, and has reiterated the need for the Blues to be on top form between now and the season`s end in May.
Wilkins said, ‘It’s a great month, a fantastic month. If you are a footballer, these are the games you want to play in. This month is extremely important for us.
‘It’s always crucial you pick up maximum points. At home we would expect to do very well indeed and it won’t be for the want of trying.
‘We had a magnificent record away from home and our football is quite exceptional.
‘At home we haven’t reproduced that type of football but it’s not for the want of trying.
‘We’re working at it and we’ll get back to that level of performance. We’re not too far short. When teams come to Stamford Bridge, you must give them credit.
‘They set themselves out not to get beat and to make it extremely difficult for our guys. The onus is on us to take the game to them and beat them.’
Chelsea Team News:
Chelsea are set to be without the services of Portuguese central defender Ricardo Carvalho, after he limped off in the second half of the 3-1 weekend win over Ipswich with a hamstring strain. He is also expected to miss the crucial weekend trip to Liverpool. However, club skipper John Terry is expected to return to lead the side out into battle, after not being risked on Saturday.
Elsewhere on the injury front, Michael Essien remains on course from his recovery from long-term knee ligament damage, while Joey Cole has been sidelined for the rest of the campaign. The manager has a couple of interesting decisions to make, mainly with regards to whether he brings Didier Drogba back into the starting eleven after the striker`s recent spell in the drog-house. John Mikel Obi could also lose his starting spot after being charged with drink driving at the weekend.
Sticking our heads above the parapet, we here at Vital Chelsea would predict a starting eleven of: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, A.Cole, Belletti, Ballack, Lampard, Malouda, Kalou, Anelka.
Player to watch: Michael Ballack
He stepped up to the plate on Saturday, with two superb goals and a midfield-dominating display, after several weeks of below-par performances. If Ballack can maintain his high standards of late at the Bridge, you sense the Boro midfield will be in for a tough evening.
Middlesbrough Team News:
Middlesbrough have a host of injury doubts ahead of the visit to West London. Andrew Taylor is definitely out with ankle ligament damage, whilst Julio Arca and Mohamed Shawky are both doubtful. Didier Digard serves the second of his three-match ban. Striker Afonso Alves is expected to shrug off a knock he picked up at the weekend to start, whilst Marlon King could make his debut.
Player to watch: Afonso Alves
The Brazilian striker has been on hot goalscoring form of late for Boro, and with the current shaky Chelsea defence still nervy, he might fancy his chances of getting on the score sheet again tomorrow.
Match Facts & Stats
The Blues are hoping to record their fifth consecutive victory over Middlesbrough tomorrow evening. However, Scolari’s side haven’t kept a clean sheet in six games!!
Meanwhile, Gareth Southgate’s side are on a ten-match winless streak in the league, with four straight defeats on the trot.
Head-to-head stats show that Chelsea haven’t conceded a goal to Boro since August 2006, and Boro have never won a league game at the Bridge.
Ref Watch:
Lee Probert, from Gloustershire, will be the man in the black.
Match Prediction:
Anything other than a home victory will be considered as a major surprise as the joint-bottom side in the league come to SW6.
Therefore, we’ll banish the D&G and be brave, and predict a narrow 2-1 home victory.
Next Fixtures:
Following our home clash with Boro, Chelsea make the dangerous trip up to Liverpool, to face Rafa Benitez’s 2nd-placed side, in what many are feeling is a must-win game for both sides.