Chelsea v Blackburn Preview

Chelsea face Blackburn today hoping to keep up their 100% home record this season. They have only conceded one goal at the Bridge all season, and the 2-0 win against Liverpool a fortnight ago just showed how confident they are on their home turf.

After losing, unluckily, at Aston Villa last weekend, they bounced back with a 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid in midweek. Salomon Kalou contributed two goals that night, but with Didier Drogba certain to be picked after his suspension on Wednesday, it is 50/50 as to whether Kalou will be Drogba’s partner ahead of Nicolas Anelka.

Ray Wilkins has already said that Yuri Zhirkov, Alex, John Obi Mikel and Jose Bosingwa will be missing today, but Joe Cole will be getting a place on the bench at least. Ricardo Carvalho will be back in defence after being rested against Atletico and will be ack alongside John Terry as usual.

Franco Di Santo has been in good form since moving to Blackburn on loan from Chelsea but will not be allowed to face his parent club today, so Jason Roberts will be ready to take his place in attack.

Other than Di Santo, Sam Allardyce will only be missing Vince Grella and Steven Reid through injury, but yesterday it was reported that a virus was spreading through the Blackburn dressing room, so the team selection will be left until the players havve been assessed today.

Allardyce will be hoping to build on Blackburns big derby win against Burnley last week, but if Chelsea return to form they should have no problem taking the points and going back to the top of the league ahead of Man Utd’s match tomorrow.