Birmingham will put their 12-match unbeaten run in the Premier League on the line at Stamford Bridge against Chelsea side who could return to the top of the table if results go their way. England stars Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole will face fitness tests for the Blues while the visitors could hand a much-anticipated debut to Spanish midfielder Michel following his move to St Andrew’s earlier this month.
Quick Check
Chelsea
- Left back Ashley Cole is expected to overcome an ankle problem to start.
- Frank Lampard should start in midfield despite a calf problem.
- Chelsea’s 7-2 win over Sunderland last weekend was the first time they have scored seven goals in a Premier League fixture.
- Carlo Ancelotti’s side has dropped just two points in 11 games at home this season – the best in the league.
- The Blues are unbeaten against Birmingham in their last 16 meetings.
- Drogba, Kalou and Mikel are away on international duty at the African Cup of Nations.
- Midfielder Michael Essien will be out for up to six weeks with a knee problem.
- Ancelotti’s team has kept only three clean sheets in their last ten games.
- Full back Jose Bosingwa is out until next month with a knee injury.
Birmingham City
- Birmingham are unbeaten in a club record last 12 league games and 15 in all competitions.
- Striker Cameron Jerome has scored four goals in his last five Premier League matches.
- Alex McLeish’s team have taken 11 points from their last five away matches.
- Spanish midfielder Michel is set to make his league debut after his £3 million move from Sporting Gijon.
- Birmingham held Chelsea to a goalless draw when the two sides met on Boxing Day.
- Defender Stuart Parnaby is struggling to overcome a back problem.
- Midfielder Lee Carsley will be sidelined for five weeks by ankle ligament damage.
- Striker Garry O’Connor is out for another two months after complications arising from groin surgery.
- Alex McLeish’s side has scored only six goals in their last seven matches.
- Birmingham have failed to score against Chelsea in eight of the last ten meetings.
Expert Advice
Through no fault of their own, Chelsea have found themselves demoted to third place in the table but Carlo Ancelotti’s side remain in rude health having won all three matches in January – including their 7-2 demolition of Sunderland ten days ago. The absence of their African Cup of Nations contingent has barely been felt and, having dropped only two points at Stamford Bridge all season, another home win will be expected. Birmingham held the Blues to a goalless draw at St Andrew’s over Christmas and could have won the clash with a bit of a luck. But this is an altogether stiffer task and, despite their recent run, Betsson’s odds of 1.61 for a home win by two goals or more looks a sound bet.
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I’m guessing 3-0 on a Chelsea win! As for Drgoba, he is back in London today and could possibly make the squad.