Match Preview - Chelsea (h)

[Jourdan]

Derby head into tomorrow’s televised fixture against Avram Grant’s Chelsea, looking to close the gap on 17th placed Middlesbrough who are 4 points ahead of the Rams. But there couldn’t be a worse time to play the Blues, who are in fine form after winning 4 of their previous 5 league fixtures.

Last Time At Pride Park

Derby 1-1 Chelsea (2001/02)

Recent History

Ever since the arrival of Jose Mourinho in the summer of 2004, Chelsea have gone from strength to strength. After guiding FC Porto to Champions League glory in 2003/04, Mourinho masterminded the revival of Chelsea. He led the West London club to consecutive Premier League trophies in 2004/05 and 2005/06 and also lifted both the Carling Cup and FA Cup whilst at the club. But thanks to an indifferent start to the 2007/08 season and an apparent feud with Roman Abramovich, he left the club in controversial circumstances after the Blues’ 0-0 home Champions League draw with Rosenborg.

But surprise successor Avram Grant has carried the mantle well ever since the “Special One” departed, silencing the doubters with a ruthless 11 match unbeaten run after initially losing to Manchester United in his first game in charge.

Summer Signings

Former Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho used the summer transfer window to try and iron out the flaws in his side after they surrendered the league title to Manchester United in 2006/07. His most high-profile signing of the summer was French international winger Florent Malouda, who arrived from Lyon for an undisclosed fee. But the Blues’ transfer activity also included some shrewd moves as they took advantage of the Bosman ruling to lure Steve Sidwell, Claudio Pizarro and Tal Ben Haim to Stamford Bridge. The signings of defensive duo Juliano Belletti and Alex completed a somewhat subdued summer at the Bridge.

Form

After losing his first game in charge in the crunch league fixture at Old Trafford, new Chelsea boss Avram Grant has steered the West London club to an impressive run of 11 games unbeaten, which includes 8 wins and saw the Blues win every competitive game they contested in October.

Grant’s men survived a scare to overcome Championship outfit Leicester City and reach the quarter finals of the Carling Cup. They have picked up 7 valuable points in their three most recent Champions League games as they beat Valencia 2-1 away from home before beating Schalke 2-0 at Stamford Bridge and earning a goalless draw in the away fixture in Germany.

In the Premier League, they have won 4 out of their last 5 fixtures, which includes three away wins as they beat struggling sides Wigan, Bolton and Middlesbrough, and not to forget their emphatic 6-0 victory against Sven-Goran Eriksson’s Manchester City at Stamford Bridge at the end of October. In their most recent game, they drew 1-1 at home to Everton as Tim Cahill snatched a point for the Toffees with a last-gasp equaliser.

Predicted Line Ups

Derby – Bywater, Mears, Davis, Leacock, McEveley, Fagan, Oakley, Pearson, Lewis, Miller, Howard

Chelsea – Hilario, Belletti, Ben Haim, Alex, Bridge, Wright-Phillips, Lampard, Essien, Cole, Drogba, Kalou

Ones to Watch

Frank Lampard – The 29 year old England international has become the key man in midfield for Chelsea in recent seasons with much of the club’s success coming from his goal scoring contribution. He is Chelsea’s most prolific midfield player ever and is tenth on the list of Chelsea’s all-time top scorers.

Didier Drogba – The 29 year old has become one of the most feared strikers in the Premier League after scoring 70 goals in 163 appearances for the Blues. He made a solid start to his Chelsea career, scoring a total of 30 goals in all competitions in his first two seasons at the Bridge. But last season, he eclipsed that by scoring a mammoth 33 goals in all competitions. He remains a huge goal scoring threat as he has notched 7 goals in 13 appearances so far this season.

Key Battles

Lampard vs. Oakley – Rams captain Matt Oakley will have to call on all his experience and tenacity to find a way of containing midfield gem Lampard.

Drogba vs. Davis – Claude Davis will face his stiffest test as a Rams player coming up against the might of the Blues’ goal-machine Drogba.

Cole vs. Mears – Tyrone Mears is likely to be in for a stressful afternoon as he will have to pay close attention to Joe Cole, whose trickery and guile down the left wing could prove problematic.

Odds (courtesy of Ladbrokes.com on 23/11/2007)

Derby to win – 11/1
Draw – 4/1
Chelsea to win - 2/7

Virtual Betting

5 bets have been placed – 3 members have backed Chelsea for victory at 1/4 but 2 other members feel the result is not a foregone conclusion with one member tipping the teams to draw at 4/1 and another member surprisingly going for a Derby win at 15/2.

Jourdan predicts…0-3

[rapidsram]

Jourdan, you do such a great job with these reviews! I always enjoy reading them! Thanks

[potter]

5 bets have been placed – 3 members have backed Chelsea for victory at 1/4 but 2 other members feel the result is not a foregone conclusion with one member tipping the teams to draw at 4/1 and another member surprisingly going for a Derby win at 15/2.

thats joke jordan your mint

potter