Birmingham City v Chelsea: Will it be a Blue Christmas for Chelsea?
After beating Arsenal at the tail end of last month everyone and his dog thought Chelsea would go on to run away with the title. However, four games on, Ancelotti’s men have picked up just five points and seen their lead at the top cut to just four points. Today they travel to St Andrews to take on Alex McLeish’s in-form Birmingham City knowing they will not be handed any late Christmas presents from the hosts.
Birmingham City entertain Chelsea on the back of nine games undefeated – which includes five wins in a row – and share the best defensive record at home with their opponents and current league leaders Chelsea, which is no mean feat considering the absence of so-called big name star defenders.
Chelsea haven’t lost to City for 29 years and McLeish’s men haven’t scored against the visitors at St Andrews in their past four games. However, Ancelotti will not take the threat of Birmingham lightly.
The Midlands club gave Chelsea a real fright on the opening day of the season at the Bridge in 2007 by taking the lead and going in at half-time level (2-2). Michael Essien saved their bacon though in the second half to run out 3-2 winners. Chelsea also had to rely on a late strike by Pizarro in the return fixture at St Andrews to seal victory that season so I think it’s fair to say Chelsea will have to roll up their sleeves for the points here.
Birmingham have taken points off the likes of Liverpool, Everton, West Ham United and Manchester City in recent weeks, but victory this afternoon would surpass them all and put the Blues just four points off fourth place. Now that would be a great way to end the year!
Chelsea face two tricky games over the festive period (v Birmingham and Fulham) but if they want to reclaim the title these are the sort of matches they will be expected to win.
McLeish has injury concerns over Roger Johnson and Liam Ridgewell but they are expected to be passed fit, while Chelsea will be without Anelka, Deco and Essien for the festive period.
