Another Huge Push: Portsmouth v Chelsea Preview
By dixon9
February 1 2008
Tomorrow’s Premier League match at Fratton Park is arguably our most important match this season to date. Our rivals for the title race in Man Utd and Arsenal both have difficult matches also away from home so this MAY be a chance to narrow that 4 point gap further.
Over recent months a depleted Chelsea squad has made a colossal effort and achieved what many thought impossible – a club record run of wins enabling us to play some catch up with the leaders converting us in the in most form side in the Premier League.
The not so good news…
Portsmouth away is a notoriously difficult fixture and we have to grab the 3 points with a very tired squad. The second half against Reading revealed that the weakened blue machine is a bit frayed at the edges after an excruciating strength sapping couple of months. The absences of key players is bad enough but the limited ability to rest those that are available is taking its toll.
So who do we have available that might provide that all important injection of extra energy?
Lampard apparently has an outside chance of making it but I can’t imagine him being more than 60% match fit – he’s supposed to be at least another week away from recovery to his thigh injury. There is just no sense in risking him.
Shevchenko, after picking up some decent form, has had a back problem for some time now and I notice that he’s recently started training. Maybe on the bench?
Definite no nos are Drogba, Essien, Mikel and Kalou - obviously at the African Cup of Nations and Terry is still injured.
Carvalho is suspended which would normally mean Tal Haim replacing him, however, I’m wondering just how close Ivanovic is to match fitness after training hard since his transfer during the Russian close season? The Serb is extremely mobile and strong and would be ideal for Portsmouth.
We do have Makelele to protect the centre-half’s whatever the combination - and Belletti is back from his 1 match suspension.
So, in summary, we are looking at possibly Shevchenko and Ivanovic, definitely Belletti and probably Ashley Cole (hopefully with a relaxed state of mind) to inject fresh blood in the team – not that bad really.
New signing Defoe will almost certainly make an appearance up front although Distin is doubtful meaning Hreidarsson is likely to partner Sol Campbell in the centre of defence.
The Benjani “Has he gone or not?” transfer saga still isn´t clear so could new signing Baros partner him or other new signing Defoe?
Let’s also not forget that Muntari, Kanu and John Utaka are also away on international duty but Papa Bouba Diop may be available as Senegal went out of the ACN.
We also come up against 2 Chelsea “old boys” (!!!) tomorrow in Diarra (in very good form for them at the moment) and Glenn Johnson.
I don’t care about setting a new club record of 10 consecutive wins in all competitions tomorrow – just give us the 3 points and we’ll be on our way.
Possible team tomorrow:
Cech, Belletti, Ivanovic, Alex, A Cole, Makelele, Ballack, SWP, J Cole, Anelka and Malouda.
Prediction? A hard fought 1-2 win (which means that I´m being a big girl and Chelsea will probably cruise to a 0-3 win!)
Come on you Blues!
Defoe starts for Pompey and with the way things turned out for him at Tottingham he will want to prove a point. Glenno is going to be bouncing cos of his England call-up and can James have 'another' good game straight away after his performance at Man Utd.
Sheva's last game was the 4-4 against Villa, his best game - typical - we aint seen him since as for Ivanovic he could start but remember he hasn't played for three months or so.
Grant could do with 10 wins on the bounce, to acheive it would be a massive boost to himself, the players and the fans and there is no reason why we can't.
We have the players to get a result and as you said Pompey has also lost players to the ACN..
At least we are part of the 'elite' three.
Don't Gamble, Bet Risk Free
