Categories: ARTICLESPREVIEW

Valencia vs Chelsea – Preview

Published by
Scott Balaam
Andre Villas-Boas will decide whether Frank Lampard starts tonight after he surprisingly left on the bench against Swansea on Saturday.
           
Daniel Sturridge should be fit, and Ramires is back following his suspension but Romelu Lukaku is ineligible as he was not on the initial list and the trio of Alex, Paulo Ferreira and Josh McEachran did not go to Spain with the rest of the squad.
         
It will be a big match for Juan Mata, having performed so well for Chelsea this season he is likely to start against his old club. He has already stated that he will not celebrate if he scores against his old team.
After one game the Blues have the maximum points, Valencia is not an easy place to travel to, but a win would put AVB’s side well on their way to progressing.
       
The provisional squad for the game is:
                 
Cech, Turnbull
         
Ivanovic, Bosingwa, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Bertrand,
         
Mikel, Romeu, Ramires, Lampard, Meireles, Mata, Malouda,  Kalou
           
Torres, Drogba, Anelka, Sturridge.
               
Previous Meetings
         
In the past there have only been two sets of games between the two clubs, both came in 2007. In April 2007, Chelsea had a dramatic victory in Spain when Michael Essien popped up with an excellent 90thminute goal which gave the Blues a 2-1 win.
Six months later and Chelsea were in Spain again, and like the last visit they ran out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Joe Cole and Didier Drogba,
                 
Betting
           
The Blues are just favourites at 6/4, with the home team a generous 15/8 to win and a draw is 9/4.
         
Juan Mata is 7/2 to score at anytime or 9s to score first against his old club.
       
By Scott Balaam
Twitter @AStamBridgeTooFar
         
         
Scott Balaam

Recent Posts

Aston Villa star breaks silence on Chelsea controversial disallowed last-minute winner

Aston Villa star Diego Carlos opens up about the controversial decision to disallow last-minute winner…

10 hours ago

Chelsea could land double blow to Brentford as they chase Ivan Toney and 21-year-old Belgian star

Chelsea hands double transfer blow to Brentford as they join the race to sign Ivan…

11 hours ago

Nice’s Jeremie Boga reveals which Chelsea legend compelled him to join the Blues at 11 years old

Jeremie Boga says Didier Drogba motivated him to join Chelsea at age of 11 Jeremie…

13 hours ago

Chelsea make contact to take first steps and sign world-class Manchester United target from Barcelona

Chelsea initiate first steps to sign the Barcelona star and Manchester United target Ronald Araujo…

14 hours ago

102 touches, 11x possession won: The Chelsea star who silently orchestrated comeback vs Aston Villa

Chelsea star Moises Caicedo played a key role in comeback vs Aston Villa The performance…

15 hours ago

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino risks fine after post-match rant at ‘unbelievable and ridiculous’ referee vs Aston Villa

Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino blasts VAR decision following the 2-2 draw vs Aston Villa Mauricio…

16 hours ago