JustChelsea.com

In Ancelotti’s absence, Ray Wilkins has given the pre-match conference for Chelsea’s game against Blackburn, and has said that there will be three players missing on Saturday, after assessing the players after the Champions League match against Atletico Madrid.

‘We have a couple of knocks and bumps and bruises but on the whole we are not too bad. Bosingwa will be out, Zhirkov will be out and John Obi Mikel probably just won’t make this one but we are getting there and should have a fully fit squad within a couple of weeks,’ he said.

Chelsea host Tottenham in which looks like their hardest fixture so far this season. The Blues have won five out of five this season, and have a great home record against the Lilywhites, but the games are always hard-fought, exciting games. I’ll never forget the 4-4 draw that we were all treated to the season before last.

Poor stoke are the next bit of cannon fodder as Chelsea charge ahead in the title race. Burnley found out that even after beating Everton and Man Utd, Chelsea are a different kettle of fish! It is extremely hard even to get the ball of them when they are in full flow.

It is time for Burnley to get their wake-up call, they have had an excellent honeymoon period, with wins over Man Utd and Everton, but today they will be brought down to earth by an efficient Chelsea side that have one thought on their minds, to win every game, and win it well.

Chelsea have been extremely well-backed to win the Premiership lately. It started when Ronaldo left Man Utd and there were set at 3/1 second favourites behind Man Utd,

Before Chelsea played Hull last week they were 2/1 favourites, but after Chelsea’s two wins, and losses by both Man Utd and Liverpool, Chelsea are now 13/8 (1.38) with both Paddy Power and BetFred, while Skybet will give you 8/5 (1.40).

So Chelsea are aiming to keep their 100% record in this local derby. Most games between these two teams are close affairs but i have a feeling that Chelsea will continue their brilliant form with another emphatic win.

Fulham played on Thursday in the Europa League, and other than the tiredness that may affect them, they have also lost Andrew Johnson to injury, and this may make it a lot harder than usual. Johnson was expected to be their best striker this season.

New Sunderland manager Steve Bruce has really brought a breath of fresh air to the last remaining North-East club in the Premiership, and they are looking like a lively and ambitious team at last.

The purchases of Lee Cattermole, Darren Bent, Lorik Cana, Fraizer Campbell and Da Silva have strengthened the Sunderland squad enormously, and they looked assured and in control against Bolton, despite only winning 1-0. But they will gain in confidence after that.

Looking at the first six fixtures of Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal, the Blues certainly seem to have the easiest start of the Big Four, with Arsenal having the hardest of the lot!

The Gunners can look forward to facing Everton away, before going to Glasgow for the first Champions League Qualifier, and then they have a relatively easy home game against Portsmouth before facing Celtic again. This is then followed by away games at both Manchester United and Man City. Hopefully they won’t be too far behind the leaders when they can settle down to games against Wigan and Fulham.

Chelsea start the season in a game that looks easy on paper, and after the draw last week against Man Utd giving them match sharpness, the Blues are looking good to start the season in style.

The Germany captain Michael Ballack will be feeling confident after Chelsea’s victory over Man Utd in the Community Shield, and he seems to have totally recovered from his broken toe sustained during the preseason tour of America.

He is the lynchpin of the Germany team and will be looking to step a little closer to his last World Cup with a win over minnows Azerbaijan on Wednesday. They will move four points clear of Russia with a win, and they will go to Moscow in October looking to wrap up their qualification there.