After what seems to have been an age, what`s that coming over the hill; it`s only a Premier League match featuring Chelsea! This Saturday, after a two week break, we welcome Cardiff City to Stamford Bridge. The Welsh side gained automatic promotion last season and are looking to cement their place in the division, but behind the scenes there are strange goings on with the head of recruitment being sacked and replaced by a friend of the owners son, a friend who helped paint the ground last summer and who is only 23 years of age. Madness! Hopefully, Chelsea can take advantage of the off-field shenanigans to take the three points on offer.
Vital Quotes:
With the Chelsea supporters yet to witness a goal from a Chelsea forward, in a Chelsea shirt this season, many are hoping that duck will go tomorrow.
Listening in on Jose Mourinho`s press conference, it appears all three of our first team squad strikers are fit, with Jose remarking,
‘Fernando Torres is ready if selected. He has shown good dedication and good work in this period.”
‘We have now the three available, I want to have problems with players to choose from. Fernando, Eto’o and Demba all three are ready and I think we need that.
Which of the three will get that first Premier League goal by a Chelsea striker?
Chelsea Team News:
Jose Mourinho enters this fixture likely to be without Ashley Cole, with the left back still troubled by the rib injury he picked up against Norwich City. Fernando Torres has served his suspension and providing he can prove his fitness will be available for selection. Elsewhere, Jose will be looking at who might be suffering from the long flights some of the internationals might be suffering from.
Player to watch: Andre Schurrle
The young German hasn`t scored for Chelsea yet but, during the international break, scored four in two games for his country, including a hat-trick against Sweden. Could Cardiff be the first Premier League team he`s scores against?
Cardiff City Team News:
Malky Mackay brings his squad to West London without his Danish striker, Andreas Cornelius. The Dane is closer to recovering from injury but this game has come too soon.
Peter Odemwingie, providing he doesn`t park his car outside Loftus Rad, is expected to retain his place in attack.
Player to watch: Craig Bellamy
Might not make the starting eleven but, if not, will be on the bench. The Welshman recently retired from international football and is still capable of igniting a game with his pace and skill. However, down at Stamford Bridge we`ll never forget he was a leading activist in the Team Bridge brigade when at Manchester City, lest we not forget!
Match Facts & Stats
Meetings between the two clubs have been few and far between in the Premier League. The last time the two clubs met was in the FA Cup, in February 2010, with Chelsea winning 4-1.
As far as League meetings go, the last league meeting was way back in March 1984 when the clubs played out a 3-3 draw in Division Two
The last top flight meeting was back in September 1961 with Cardiff winning 3-1.
Chelsea enter this game with an unbeaten league run, at Stamford Bridge of 11 matches, 10 victories and a draw.
Cardiff have only one away Premier League win to their name, a 2-1 win at Craven Cottage this season.
Ref Watch:
Our officials for this game are:-
Referee – Anthony Taylor
Assistant – M. McDonough
Assistant – R. West
Fourth Official – T. Kettle
Match Prediction:
You`d expect Chelsea to win this one, you`d expect Cardiff to be beaten, but you just never know do you? However, my gut instinct tells me we`ll win this by two clear goals.
Next Fixtures:
Our next competitive fixture will see us travel to play Schalke 04 in a Champions League group game