You can watch Chelsea v Blackburn Live online here.
Chelsea v Blackburn
Stamford Bridge, London
Saturday 24 October 2009
Kick-off: 17:30 BST
Chelsea Preview
Chelsea are without injured duo Jose Bosingwa and Yuri Zhirkov while Alex and John Mikel Obi lack match fitness. Salomon Kalou scored twice against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday and will hope to dislodge either Nicolas Anelka or Didier Drogba up front.
With Manchester United not in action until Sunday, Chelsea will return to top spot if they maintain their 100% home record under Carlo Ancelotti. Chelsea slipped to second after losing at Aston Villa, where goals from Richard Dunne and James Collins exposed the Blues’ vulnerability at set-pieces.
Six of the eight league goals Chelsea have conceded under Carlo Ancelotti have come from opposition defenders, a weakness sure to be targeted by Sam Allardyce’s Rovers. That is, if they get time away from defending against the free-scoring Chelsea forwards, who have been in good form in recent weeks despite a few setbacks at the other end of the pitch.
Nicolas Anelka has scored 10 goals in 12 Premier League starts against Rovers, and is a likely starter.
Blackburn Preview
Blackburn striker Franco Di Santo, on loan from Chelsea, is ineligible. Di Santo’s absence could mean a recall for Jason Roberts, but Pascal Chimbonda (calf) is unlikely to feature and Vince Grella (thigh) remains sidelined.
Blackburn’s trip to Stamford Bridge is followed by a visit to Old Trafford, daunting league fixtures for a side that have yet to claim a point away from Ewood Park this term.
Rovers have lost their last eight away league games, including their final five last season. They have conceded 11 goals in their three league games away from Ewood Park this term. Rovers’ last away win in the top flight was a 2-1 triumph at Fulham on 11 March.
Chelsea v Blackburn Prediction
The omens are hardly encouraging for Rovers – they have lost their last eight away games in the Premier League and failed to score in their previous six top-flight meetings with Chelsea.
That statistic alone should point to a Chelsea win, although under Allardyce and given Chelsea’s defensive failings there’s always the chance of a Blackburn goal and the possibility of changing history.
Chelsea have also won 11 of their last 13 against Blackburn in all competitions. Their only loss in that spell was a 1-0 reverse at Ewood Park in May 2006 when the Blues had already sealed the Premier League title.
Prediction: Chelsea 3-1 Blackburn
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