Portsmouth v Chelsea
Tuesday, 28 December 04, 01:05 PM · Comments (2)
We made a good start to our busy Christmas schedule on Sunday, which we traditionally fail to do. Now we must build on that victory over Aston Villa by defeating Pompey at Fratton Park, something that won't prove easy.
Harry Redknapp built the south coast Blues into a formidable opponent at home, and their new management team has continued this progress by winning three of their last five home Premiership games. They should have beaten Airline FC too, but an exceptionally rare goal by Sol Campbell from open play denied them at least a point.
We have a 100% winning record against Pompey in the Premiership, having done the 'double' over them last season -- a 3-0 win at home and a 2-0 win at Fratton Park. In fact Portsmouth have only beaten us once in 11 home League matches since 1955. That was, unsurprisingly, a 3-0 win in the top flight on Boxing Day 1957, 47 years ago.
Jose has just one new injury concern with William Gallas picking up a knock against Aston Villa, although the Frenchman joined in training yesterday and is expected to be fit for selection today.
The 18 players that travelled to Portsmouth yesterday are the same as reported for duty against Aston Villa: Cech, Cudicini; Ferreira, Johnson, Gallas, Terry, Bridge; Tiago, Smertin, Makelele, Lampard; Duff, Cole, Gà©rà©mi, Gudjohnsen, Drogba, Kezman and Robben.
Whether Jose will rotate the squad slightly remains to be seen, but with an away game against Liverpool coming up in just 3 days' time it wouldn't surprise me if there are a couple of changes today.
Score prediction: Despite Portsmouth's good recent home record I can see us sneaking this by a couple of goals. 0-2.
*Related links:*
* Mourinho warns of football's festive excess
h3. Portsmouth 0 - 2 Chelsea · Match Reports
The Guardian The Times The Independent Daily Telegraph BBC Sport ESPNSoccernet Sporting Life ITV Football The Scotsman Sky Sports Official Chelsea FC Website
*Related links:*
* Jose glad to win ugly * Mourinho takes swipe at Arsenal * Jose may be forced to bring in players * Festive cheer for Mourinho * Mourinho takes aim at Arsenal's additional day of rest * Dream Machine
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2 Comments · Add yours
Bro,
Your prediction is on the mark! 2-0, thank you very much! Next? Beni’s Babes in their own backyard!
C’mon Blues!
I backed the Blues to win 2-0! Not on your advice, I hasten to add! ;-)
Yesterday’s victory was a Championship-winning performance; they’re the type of games we need to win if we’re to challenge the likes of Airline FC: scrappy, hard fought, even if the performance wasn’t great (that’s what playing 2 games in 3 days does to professional footballers).
Here’s to a victory at Anfiled on Saturday – and a Newcastle win tonight!