Match
Overview : Saturday, 9th November 2002
This
is a game in which Chelsea welcome Premiership newcomers
Birmingham City. Chelsea have injury worries over Jimmy
Floyd Hasselbaink (groin) and Eidur Gudjohnsen (ankle),
while it is unclear if Emmanuel Petit and Marcel Desailly
will take part as they played in a midweek charity match
in Paris. England under-21 defender John Terry could therefore,
return to the starting line up. Birmingham come into this
match following a disappointing 2-0 home defeat to Preston
midweek, but have no fresh injury worries after fielding
a weakened side.
Chelsea's
home form this year has been inconsistant, having won
2, drawn 2 and lost one. They are fourth in the league
on the back of their away form, which is better than their
home form! Looking through the the Chelsea team you cannot
see how Birmingham will combat the Blues star players.
Gianfranco Zola has already scored 8 goals this year and
he will be keen to add to this tally. If Hasselbaink and
Gudjohnsen are fit(check team news nearer kickoff), they
should have no problems in dispatching Birmingham. Having
taken only 6 points from a possible 18 away, the best
result possible for Birmingham would be a draw, and they
will be relying on their midfield of Savage and Cisse
to get amongst the Chelsea players.
Birmingham
have not kept a clean sheet in 6 games, and will be hoping
that the front two of Clinton Morrison and Stern John
can get something, having scored 6 goals between them.
Surprisingly, Chelsea have already had six past them at
home this term, and they are conceding just over a goal
a game.
As
a result I think Birmingham can score against Chelsea,
however the home side will basically just outscore them.
I dont expect any clean sheets again, but Chelsea should
run out winners, although I expect it to be closer than
many people think
