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CHELSEA vs Birmingham: Preview

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Venue: Stamford Bridge

Date: Wednesday, 20 April

Kick-off: 1945 BST


We might have started this season the way we ended the last – banging in goals for fun – but we lost our way in the middle somewhere and that’s cost us dearly. For the first time in 3 years, we’ll finish a season trophyless and with our lowest points tally since 2004 but considering it wasn’t all that long ago the question being asked was whether we’d even qualify for the Champions League, we should be thankful we’ve managed to salvage something. As it turns out, a win for us and a defeat for Arsenal tonight would see us leapfrog them into second, so let’s hope that’s motivation enough.

MANAGERS’ VIEWS

Whilst the press are busy concentrating on who might replace Carlo Ancelotti, the Chelsea manager himself continues to focus on the position he holds, saying “The first aim is to win the title, the second aim is to reach the position that allows us to play in the Champions League next season. Our aim is to get our best position in the table and win our last six games. The gap does not allow us to think about the title. Everyone doesn’t have a good memory but this team, in the last month or more, have done very well in the Premier League. Obviously, the defeat against Manchester United in the Champions League was not good for us but in the Premier League this team have played good football and won a lot of games. Maybe two months ago, no one could think we could come back to fight for the title. We don’t think this, but we are not so far from Manchester United and we’re very close to Arsenal. Two months ago, this was a dream.”

Birmingham manager Alex McLeish, on the other hand, doesn’t seem all that optimistic of the sort of lightweight performance we put in last time we met, suggesting “We know if we get anything at Chelsea, we are punching above our weight. We got a bit of luck that day we beat Chelsea at our place — some great rearguard action, great goalkeeping. But I’m just really pleased with the way the players have responded in the recent games. We’ve actually played some good football. Maybe we don’t build up the way Barcelona and Arsenal do but then again not many teams do.”


SQUAD NEWS

It’s just as well Carlo Ancelotti didn’t have time to become too accustomed to having a fully fit squad for the one game it happened recently because with a couple of players ruled out yet again, he’d be a disappointed man with both Ramires (hamstring) and Alex (hamstring) out. Branislav Ivanovic is also doubtful, with a muscle strain.

For Birmingham, Dann (hamstring), Jiranek (toe), Martins (groin), McFadden (knee), Valles (foot) and Zigic (groin & hip) all miss out, with Bentley (groin) given as a doubt.


TEAMS

CHELSEA (from): Cech, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Terry, Luiz, Ivanovic, Zhirkov, Cole, Mikel, Essien, Lampard, Benayoun, Kalou, Malouda, Anelka, Torres, Drogba, Turnbull.

BIRMINGHAM (from): Foster, Carr, Johnson, Ridgewell, Parnaby, Larsson, Gardner, Ferguson, Bowyer, Jerome, Phillips, Doyle, Hleb, Fahey, Derbyshire, Mutch, Davies, Bentley, Beausejour.


LAST MEETING

Birmingham 1-0 Chelsea (20 November 2010)


REFEREE

Mike Jones


PREDICTION

So, we’ve never lost at home to Birmingham in the Premier League but as I’ve said time and again in these previews, that sort of record has counted for absolutely nothing this season. In fact, if anything, any records we held going into this season almost seem to have counted against us. Birmingham have also failed to score in five of their last seven against us in the league but again, let’s not hold out too much hope that’ll stay the same after tonight either. If we’re going to get excited about anything, let’s go for the fact that it’s a Wednesday – because from 11 previous attempts to win a Premier League game on a Wednesday, Birmingham haven’t managed it. Ok, I’m clutching at straws here, whatever the reason, let’s just get a win eh?

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