Blackburn v. Chelsea Preview

October 29, 2010

Blackburn v. Chelsea Preview  (Sky Sports)

Leaders Chelsea hope to extend their five-point gap at the Premier League summit when they visit Blackburn on Saturday.

The champions have made a flying start to their league defence, dropping just five points from their opening nine games.
They have been flawless at Stamford Bridge, winning all five of their home games at a canter, though have found life a little more tough on the road, losing one and drawing one.
Their form has been far from poor though, racking up nine goals and conceding just two from their four games.
They travel to Ewood Park with a decent record in Rovers' backyard, having suffered just one league defeat there in the last 10 seasons - a 1-0 loss in 2006.
Sam Allardyce's men will not be relishing the visit of the champions as they look to end a run of three games without a win.
It has been a disappointing start to the campaign for Rovers as their notoriously strong home form has faltered, while their poor record on the road has continued.
They have a solitary home win this season, coming on the opening day of the campaign against Everton, and have found the net just three times, hardly an inspiring record with the visit of Carlo Ancelotti's men, who have shipped just two goals all season.

Team news

Blackburn will be able to welcome back Christopher Samba to their squad following suspension.
The centre-half missed the defeat at Liverpool last week following his red card against Sunderland, but should come back into Allardyce's side.
Rovers will also be hoping to have Ryan Nelsen back in the squad after a recent thigh injury, though Steven Nzonzi is a doubt after coming off in the first half of the Anfield loss.
Keith Andrews remains a long-term absentee after undergoing groin surgery.
Chelsea will have central defender Alex back for their trip to the North West.
The Brazilian missed last week's victory over Wolves with a thigh injury but is fit again and will partner John Terry in defence.
Frank Lampard and Yossi Benayoun are continued absentees with respective hernia and Achilles injuries, though Ancelotti has no other fresh concerns.
Ramires should be passed fit after picking up a knock, while Didier Drogba has fully recovered from a virus.

Possible starting XIs

Blackburn: Robinson, Salgado, Nelsen, Givet, Samba, Emerton, Dunn, Jones, Pedersen, EH Diouf, Kalinic.
Chelsea: Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Alex, Cole, Malouda, Mikel, Essien, Zhirkov, Drogba, Anelka