Football staff picks

Ugly Match awaits Chelsea at Blackburn

Sunday, 21 March 2010 - Andrew Dentinger

Chelsea, desperately craving a victory to restore confidence after Tuesday’s dismissal from the Champions League, travel to Blackburn in a tricky Premier League fixture that will undoubtedly entice the attention of title rivals Arsenal and Manchester United. 

And although prudence dictates that Chelsea should return home from Ewood Park with all three points, the task is more deceptive than it seems. 

Blackburn, who have already entertained their fans to a triumph over Chelsea last December in the quarter finals of Carling Cup, possess an impressive home record this season, only losing twice in the League and conceding a total of twelve goals in fourteen games. 

The Rovers have also maintained clean sheets in their last two home games. 

For these reasons, Chelsea should expect a tense, physical match, the type that will either validate their title aspirations or contribute to the growing crisis broached by their dismal performance against Inter. 

On Tuesday, the aged Blues were routinely exposed by Welsey Snijeder and offensively they exhibited a performance lacking much creativity and invention.  

Midfielders Frank Lampard and Mikel Ballack were silenced by the Italian outfit, while some have questioned the managerial competency of Carlo Ancelotti after being outclassed by Jose Mourinho.  

On Sunday, they look to rebound but face the difficult task of breaking down Blackburn, a disciplined side managed by Sam Allardyce.

The defensive minded Allardyce, labeled as Fat Sam throughout the British Isle, will have to resort to backup goalkeeper Jason Brown to fill the absence left by starting keeper Paul Robinson, who was injured at Spurs last week.

Chelsea also encounter an injury crisis at the keeping position, with third choice keeper Ross Trumbull set to start for the third consecutive match, if Petr Cech fails a late fitness test. Ancelotti will also have to compensate for the loss of midfielders Michael Essien and Deco, as well as, fullbacks Ashley Cole and Jose Bosingwa.

Of more concern for Fat Sam than the loss of Robinson will be that of center back Ryan Nelsen, who has missed the last two games. In those matches, both away defeats to Liverpool and Tottenham, Blackburn looked vulnerable at the back, conceding two at Anfield and three at White Hart Lane.

From a Chelsea perspective, three points is an absolute necessity to reinstate their confidence and mollify their critics.

Expect a close affair with Chelsea struggling to win but capitalizing on the defensive frailties of Blackburn in an ugly game.

Blackburn 1 Chelsea 2