Got this from another site, well written...
14 October 2003
Birmingham City vs. Chelsea
Chelsea will be hoping to extend their great start and top the table by winning this tricky match against Steve Bruce's Birmingham City.
A few interesting facts about this match. First off, both teams face derby competition this coming weekend. Birmingham City will play Aston Villa in their biggest match of the season and Chelsea visits Arsenal at Highbury in a London derby. The effect of these big matches will reflect upon tonight's game and I expect a cautious approach by both teams. Second, leading scorer Forsell is not allowed to play tonight, as he is on-loan from Chelsea. This will surely impact Steve Bruce's plans as the Finnish striker has been on fire lately and represents the best striking option the Brummies have to offer. Last, David Dunn and Damien Duff will meet again on field after leaving Blackburn Rovers, albeit on different sides of the pitch. With Robbie Savage out with injury, Dunn will have to take over the defensive responsibility of keeping the Irish winger in check.
Recent records stand in Chelsea's favour. The London club is strong away from home and is still unbeaten in all away league and cup games. With 6 wins out of 7 in the league, the Blues from London looks set to top the table and will relish a morale-boosting win ahead of their visit to Highbury. On the other hand, Birmingham City boasts a good home record and with 7 games played, has chalked up 5 clean sheets following the heroics of on-loan keeper Maik Taylor from Fulham. Steve Bruce's profession has rubbed off his players and their defensive capabilities have improved much from last year. Upson and company will face their stiffest test though as they take on the most prolific strikeforce in England in the form of Mutu, Hasselbaink, Lampard, Duff and Crespo.
Head-to-heads highly favours the visitors, who completed the double over the hosts last season, winning the corresponding fixture 3-1 and the return fixture in Stamford Bridge 3-0.
From recent form, it seems a tight match is to be expected. I am swayed towards Chelsea largely due to the absence of Robbie Savage. The Welsh midfielder relishes his defensive role in the middle of the park and will not be shy to ruffle a few Chelsea feathers in this match. It is a pity that he will not feature. Without Savage, I believe Lampard and Duff will have a much easier time and more chances to provide the killer pass for Mutu, who is on a hot streak at the moment.
In conclusion, a tight affair is expected but I believe Chelsea should edge it by virtue of that extra dose of quality and depth in squad.
Pick : Away
14 October 2003
Birmingham City vs. Chelsea
Chelsea will be hoping to extend their great start and top the table by winning this tricky match against Steve Bruce's Birmingham City.
A few interesting facts about this match. First off, both teams face derby competition this coming weekend. Birmingham City will play Aston Villa in their biggest match of the season and Chelsea visits Arsenal at Highbury in a London derby. The effect of these big matches will reflect upon tonight's game and I expect a cautious approach by both teams. Second, leading scorer Forsell is not allowed to play tonight, as he is on-loan from Chelsea. This will surely impact Steve Bruce's plans as the Finnish striker has been on fire lately and represents the best striking option the Brummies have to offer. Last, David Dunn and Damien Duff will meet again on field after leaving Blackburn Rovers, albeit on different sides of the pitch. With Robbie Savage out with injury, Dunn will have to take over the defensive responsibility of keeping the Irish winger in check.
Recent records stand in Chelsea's favour. The London club is strong away from home and is still unbeaten in all away league and cup games. With 6 wins out of 7 in the league, the Blues from London looks set to top the table and will relish a morale-boosting win ahead of their visit to Highbury. On the other hand, Birmingham City boasts a good home record and with 7 games played, has chalked up 5 clean sheets following the heroics of on-loan keeper Maik Taylor from Fulham. Steve Bruce's profession has rubbed off his players and their defensive capabilities have improved much from last year. Upson and company will face their stiffest test though as they take on the most prolific strikeforce in England in the form of Mutu, Hasselbaink, Lampard, Duff and Crespo.
Head-to-heads highly favours the visitors, who completed the double over the hosts last season, winning the corresponding fixture 3-1 and the return fixture in Stamford Bridge 3-0.
From recent form, it seems a tight match is to be expected. I am swayed towards Chelsea largely due to the absence of Robbie Savage. The Welsh midfielder relishes his defensive role in the middle of the park and will not be shy to ruffle a few Chelsea feathers in this match. It is a pity that he will not feature. Without Savage, I believe Lampard and Duff will have a much easier time and more chances to provide the killer pass for Mutu, who is on a hot streak at the moment.
In conclusion, a tight affair is expected but I believe Chelsea should edge it by virtue of that extra dose of quality and depth in squad.
Pick : Away
