Chelsea v Blackburn

[lippy]

Chelsea's excellent start in the league has come unstuck in recent weeks with defeat in their last two away games, but they remain a formidable force in their own back yard, having won all four league matches at Stamford Bridge. Blackburn, who have yet to win a league game on the road this season, have a pretty poor record at Chelsea (like most teams), although they did hang on for a 0-0 draw in this fixture two seasons ago.

Rovers can take a deal of encouragement from their trip to the Emirates a fortnight ago, for while they were ultimately well beaten, they were in the game for a long time and Sam Allardyce's side proved there that they are capable of causing even the top sides problems. The excellent David Dunn, who has scored four goals so far, pulls the strings in his free role behind the striker, who has been Argentinian forward Franco Di Santo in recent weeks. The 20-year-old, who is on loan from Chelsea, bagged his first goal for Rovers in the 3-2 win over Burnley at the weekend and his performances are impresing sufficiently to earn him a starting place ahead of Jason Roberts. However, it is likely he will return to Stamford Bridge in January as cover for Didier Drogba who is going to the African Nations Cup.

On the team news front, Drogba returns to the Chelsea line-up after completing his three match European ban in midweek, while there is a chance Ancelotti might give Joe Cole his first start since returning from injury. Rovers emerged from their weekend derby win unscathed and look set to field an unchanged side.

Chelsea will be bankers on coupons all around the country but Rovers could make them work pretty hard for it and Hull proved on the opening day that the Blues' rearguard isn't infallible. Players like Christopher Samba could cause the home side problems from set pieces and Rovers have enough about them going forward to think they could score a goal.


PREDICTION : Over 2.75 GOALS.