Premier League game time comes to Stamford Bridge as Chelsea host Blackburn in match week 23 on January 15.
This is the second meeting between the teams, this season; the first leg was hosted by Blackburn on 30 October and was 2–1 in favor of the champions. The score line gives no real indication of Rovers’ excellent performance on the day. Emerton and Miame Diouf gave great support to Benjani, a standout player who put the hosts ahead in the 21st minute. Blackburn can fairly be said to have taken the game to Chelsea, but in the end it was a story of missed opportunities for Chelsea’s side. Sam Allardyce, with Pederson going astray with his free throws.
Under the cosh in the first half, Chelsea made a better fist in the second, with Ivanovic, Zhirkov and Cole all standing to be counted out on a day when Terry and Drogba looked dejected.
Head to head, Chelsea have established a 12-2 lead over Blackburn in 20 league games played between the teams over the past decade.
Chelsea, who led the points table until the week 15 game, appear to have fallen apart in their last 10 games, winning just 2, losing 4 and drawing the rest. Those 4 losses include a surprise 1-0 loss at Molineux to Wolves on matchday 22.
Blackburn have given a better account of themselves, winning 4, losing 5 and drawing 1 of their last 10 league games. They won their last game, at home to Liverpool, by a 3-1 margin.
Currently ranked fifth in the table, Chelsea have won 7 of the 10 games hosted by them, drawing 2 and losing just one. 9th-placed Blackburn have won just 3 of 11 away games, while losing 7 and drawing their remaining ones.
Although their current form looks impressive, Blackburn will find it difficult to play against the champions at Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti’s men will have a point or two to prove as they push to catch up with Manchester United, who have drifted further and further away with each game. More importantly, Chelsea will try to prove their naysayers wrong, as the champions seem to have been written off as title contenders this season, by all but their most fanatical supporters.
Chelsea had the following men in their starting XI against Wolves on Matchday 22: Cech, Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole, Ramires, Essien, Lampard, Kalou, Drogba and Malouda. Kakuta, Sturridge and Anelka were used as substitutes.
Blackburn’s starting eleven against Liverpool on matchday 22 included Bunn, Salgado, Samba, Nelsen, Givet, Hoillett, Dunn, Pederson, Olsson, Diouf, Mwaruwari. Goulon, Morris and Diouf were the substitutes who played the match.
