PREMIER LEAGUE: CHELSEA V BORO MATCH PREVIEW

By dixon9
February 11 2007

Every league game for us now is almost like a final – it’s imperative that we get the 3 points and maintain the pressure on Manchester United. As the remaining league matches reduce, so the challenge of overhauling the Mancs and winning a 3rd successive title becomes that much more difficult.

This is our last league fixture of the month, incredibly, IF United win all their league games in February, they could end up a psychologically damaging 15 points in front!

 

We are 9 points behind where we were at the same stage last season but we are STILL in with a very good shout in all 4 competitions.  I think personally it’s an excellent achievement when you consider the fact that our treatment room has had more ins and outs than Victoria station and the ridiculous accusations and slurs from the press over the last few months.

 

We’ve had VERY bad luck on the injury front whereas the pretenders to our throne have been much more fortunate…….and?  Exactly!  It’s a reason for the 6 point deficit (make that 7 really when you take into account goal difference) but it’s not an excuse – we have to march on, we have to win, win and win.  The title is United´s to lose and football can change drastically in the space of a week.  We could still win the title but the team must be focused and show character.  If we do win the title, it could well be Chelsea’s and Mourinho´s finest hour.

 

Mourinho´s “cashmere jumper” (i.e. the first team squad) threatened to get even more threadbare and shorter midweek when Wayne Bridge pulled out from England training and Mikel Ballack picked up a thigh injury which looks likely to put him out for at least a couple of weeks.  However, the looms could be cranking into action as it’s possible that Boulahrouz and…….wait for it……Robben, return for selection.  Terry of course, is now no longer injured, BUT, I can’t help feeling concerned about the match fitness of our captain and the aforementioned players.

 

What about our old enemies “Boro”, who sent us down in 88 in the play-offs (Durie shooting wide from a narrow angle after not passing to an unmarked Nevin at the far post STILL haunts me to this day)?  Well, Viduka is doubtful with a calf injury, Cattermole is out with a hamstring but Schwarzer and newbie Dong Gook Leeis will probably feature.

 

“Boro” are undefeated in the last 5 league games and have certainly toughened their act up lately.  Let’s not us forget our impression of the tortoise and the hare story at the Riverside earlier this season.

Chelsea from: Cech, Cudicini, Ferreira, Geremi, Terry, Boulahrouz, Carvalho, Essien, Makalele, Lampard, Obi, Diarra, Morais, Bridge, Robben, Drogba, Shevchenko, Wright-Phillips, Kalou.

 

I’m going to go for the following probable starting line-up in a 4-4-2:

Cech, Ferreira, Carvalho, Terry, Diarra, Lampard, Essien, Makalele, SWP, Sheva and Drogba.   Robben to come on approx 65mins.

 

 

Middlesbrough from: Schwarzer, Jones, Turnbull, Xavier, Davies, Woodgate, Pogatetz, Taylor, Hines, Boateng, Lee, Arca, Morrison, Dong Gook Leeis, Downing, Euell, Rochemback, Johnson, Yakubu, Viduka, Christie.

  

 

My prediction?  I’ll try 3-1.  Scorers Shevchenko, Essien and Robben.  Rochemback for them.