Ancelotti readies Chelsea for first Premiership ´final´

Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti says his side will face the first of nine ‘finals’ when their quest for the Premier League title continues against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

The Blues are one point behind leaders Manchester United with both teams having seven league games of the season left.

But victory over Villa would see Chelsea go two points in front before reigning champions United kicked-off in Saturday’s late match against Bolton.

Chelsea, who thrashed basement club Portsmouth 5-0 in midweek, also face Villa in the semi-finals of the FA Cup and Ancelotti said: “There are eight or nine games until the end of the season and we need to maintain this spirit.

“We have to prepare for these nine games like a final.”

Key to Chelsea’s hopes of silverware this term is Didier Drogba.

The in-form Ivory Coast striker scored twice against Pompey to take his tally for the season to 30 goals in all competitions.

He limped off before the finish at Fratton Park but Ancelotti expects him to be fit to face Villa.

“It is a very important season for Drogba, a fantastic striker, but I am looking at what he can do in the next nine games,” Ancelotti said. “I hope he hasn’t finished scoring.”

United go the Reebok Stadium looking for a seventh straight victory in all competitions.

With goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar and defenders Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic now looking strong at the back, Sir Alex Ferguson’s side have conceded just two goals in their last six matches.

They have also won nine of their last 10 matches against Bolton, including victories in their last four meetings, with just one goal conceded.

This match is sure to come too soon for midfielder Owen Hargreaves, who made his first appearance after 18 months out of with a knee injury with a 45-minute run-out for the reserves last week.

He was due to play for the reserves again on Thursday and although the game against Burnley’s second string was eventually called off due to a waterlogged pitch, he had already been pulled out in order to step up his training with the first team.

Ferguson left the 29-year-old former Bayern Munich player out of his Champions League squad.

But the United manager believes there is still time for England international Hargreaves to make a significant contribution in the final weeks of the season.

“We’re keen to get him back involved because he’s an experienced player and will be a valuable addition for us in the run-in, when having a strong, fit squad is vital,” said Ferguson.

Third-placed Arsenal are only two points behind United and still very much in the title hunt.

They travel to Birmingham with Gunners boss Arsene Wenger hoping to have striker Nicklas Bendtner fit following an ankle knock.

“He should be okay,” Wenger said. “He is not back in training yet because he has an ankle problem, but he will have a late test tomorrow (Friday) morning and should be available.”

Almost as tight as the title race itself is the battle for the fourth place finish that guarantees the last spot on offer to English clubs for next season’s Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur currently hold the coveted position and could go as much as five points clear of their nearest pursuers for the prize if they beat Portsmouth at White Hart Lane.

The match pits Spurs manager Harry Redknapp and several of his players against their former club while also acting as a dress rehearsal for next month’s FA Cup semi-final.

Meanwhile, across London, West Ham will look to bounce back from a 3-1 midweek loss to fellow strugglers Wolves when they welcome Stoke to Upton Park.

The Hammers’ fifth straight loss left the club just three points above the relegation zone and piled the pressure on novice manager Gianfranco Zola.

Wolves can take another step towards safety at home to Everton.

Saturday also sees relegation candidates Hull at home to Fulham while fellow bottom three side Burnley face Blackburn in a Lancashire derby on Sunday.

Liverpool, still with a chance of finishing fourth are at home to Sunderland on Sunday while Manchester City, one of their rivals for a Champions League place, must wait until Monday’s match against Wigan to atone for their defeat by Everton last weekend.

Fixtures (1500GMT unless stated)

Saturday

Birmingham v Arsenal, Bolton v Manchester United (1730GMT), Chelsea v Aston Villa, Hull v Fulham, Tottenham v Portsmouth, West Ham v Stoke, Wolves v Everton

Sunday

Burnley v Blackburn (1200GMT), Liverpool v Sunderland (1600GMT)

Monday

Manchester City v Wigan (2000GMT)