Prediction: Birmingham vs Chelsea

19th November 2010

The Birmingham Blues slipped into the relegation zone despite holding Manchester City to a goalless draw which should serve as a big confidence boost before yet another difficult game. The London Blues saw their big advantage at the top melt to just two points after they were humiliated at home by Sunderland, so this is the perfect opportunity for them to pick up the pieces and return to winning ways.

I really can’t tell what is going on with Birmingham this season, but one thing’s for sure, they are no longer the team that surprised everyone with their impressive showings last term. The Blues are still almost as hard to beat as last season, as witnessed by their record of 7 draws in 13 rounds, but they have ruined their home record that made them a force to be reckoned with in the first place. It seems that Alex McLeish has upset the balance of the team by bringing in new players, who, despite clearly possessing plenty of potential, will definitely need some more time to gel. The team’s form is also on the downtrend at the moment, with the Blues now on a five-match unbeaten run, and the game against Chelsea is not where they should be looking for a morale-boosting win. Apart from Craig Gardner, who is doubtful with an ankle injury, and long-term absentee James McFadden, Alex McLeish has no other injury worries.

Chelsea were always expected to show a certain dip in form after their magnificent start to the season, but nobody could predict that Sunderland would be the team to expose all their weaknesses, and certainly not to such an extent. Nonetheless, there is no point in crying over the spilt milk and Carlo Ancelotti knows he’s got to make his players wake up and smell the coffee as quickly as possible, so that’s why the Birmingham game is absolutely crucial to the Blues. The midweek friendly games served as a welcoming break for the players following the Sunderland debacle and that should make things a bit easier in this clash. Brazilian Alex will delay his knee surgery in order to help the team at St Andrew’s with his return expected to add more steel to the back line, but Yuri Zhirkov, Michael Essien, Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun remain unavailable.

Conclusion

Both sides are not where they want to be at the moment, as far as the current form is concerned, but Chelsea are expected to show a reaction to the Sunderland defeat and remain at the top of the standings. The London Blues still have some important missings but they should have enough in them to win this clash.

Verdict: Away win Chelsea (2)

Best Odds: 8/11

Bookmaker: Bet365