Reading v Chelsea preview

So Chelsea enter their final preparation match before the serious stuff starts, and by all indications it would seem that Carlo Ancelotti is now close to deciding his best team, but he will probably still make quite a few changes as the game goes on.

I am sure Alex Ferguson will be watching this match as carefully as Ancelotti to find out how his opponent’s new system is working.

This is likely to be a very friendly freindly, with Chelsea’s ex-Reserve team coach in charge, Brendan Rodgers, and Frank Lampard Snr also involved at Reading, but Ancelotti will not allow any sentiment to creep in.

There is likely to be a Chelsea player on show for Reading too, as Ryan Bertrand has been given permission to play against his parent club.

It will be great to watch the new diamond system of Ancelotti’s first hand, and i am expecting Chelsea to be able to take command of the game early and won’t take their foot off the pedal until the second half. I’m expecting Anelka and Drogba to start up front, strongly supported by Zhirkov and Lampard right behind, and with an attacking formation like that Chelsea should be going all out from the start.

The Blues have already beaten an array of top class teams in the tour of America, and with them now approaching top fitness, should dispose of Reading quite easily.

With the handicap set at just -1.25 i cannot resist taking a chance of winning good money here, despite Chelsea having a record of narrow wins over Reading, and i am going against my own rule of not betting on friendlies!

But there you go, i have a feeling that Ancelotti will demand an impressive performance to get Alex Ferguson worried.

I have found that 118Bet are offering 1.70 with just a -1 handicap, and the price has just dropped from 1.75 so you had better get on quick!