
Venue: Stade Velodrome
Date: Wednesday 8 December
Kick-off: 1945 GMT
Well, we might have already won the group but after our recent run of form in the league, we have plenty to play for in France tonight. We could do with an injection of confidence and a hefty dose of pride, so whilst giving our younger players a Champions League run out is all very nice in theory, in practice, maybe Ancelotti will opt for getting some kind of a return from the players costing Chelsea the big bucks but failing to actually earn it of late.
Marseille likewise, are already safe in Group F and whilst their manager seems to have been distracted with thoughts of Didier Drogba making a more permanent return to the Stade Velodrome one day, we’ll have to hope the Ivorian provides just as much of a distraction for the rest of the opposition on the field.
MANAGER’S VIEW
Carlo Ancelotti certainly seems clear about what he wants from tonight’s game, saying “We are trying to search the right way to move on quickly from this moment and we have a possibility to do this. The result of the game is not important but the performance is very important. We want to put out the best line-up possible because we consider the game important for our confidence and to come back and play our football. We have to come back quickly to play our football. I spoke with my players. It is not the right place to explain what I said to them. it was private and confidential. The reaction has to be good tomorrow. When I say strong team, it doesn’t mean there are no young players in the team. Maybe some of them will be involved. We give a lot of importance to this game for the reason that we need to come back to play our football.”
SQUAD NEWS
On the injury front, Chelsea still have Benayoun (Achilles), Alex (knee), Zhirkov (calf) and Frank Lampard (groin) all out. Nicholas Anelka and Ashley Cole are both rested although John Terry is in the squad after his return against Everton. Youngsters Jacopo Sala and Billy Clifford also make the squad, alongside a host of our youngsters.
TEAM
From: Cech, Turnbull, Hilario, Ferreira, Bosingwa, Terry, Ivanovic, Van Aanholt, Bruma, Ramires, Mikel, Essien, McEachran, Malouda, Drogba, Kalou, Kakuta, Sturridge, Sala, Clifford.
LAST MEETING
Chelsea 2-0 Marseille (28 September 2010)
PREDICTION
We still have a few absentees through injury, Ashley Cole’s absence won’t do us any favours in an already unsettled backline and whether or not he fields the strongest XI from the remainder of the squad, we’ve yet to find out – so your guess is as good as mine.