Premier League match time: Chelsea vs Blackburn

Website design By BotEap.comPremier League match time arrives at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea host Blackburn, in match week 23, on January 15.

Website design By BotEap.comThis is the second meeting between the teams, this season; the first leg was hosted by Blackburn on 30 October and was 2–1 for 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 brought the game to Chelsea, but in the end it was a story of missed opportunities for the Blackburn team. Sam Allardyce, with Pederson going astray with his free throws.

Website design By BotEap.comUnder the cosh in the first half, Chelsea made a better fist in the second, with Ivanovic, Zhirkov and Cole all on their feet to be counted out on a day when Terry and Drogba looked dejected.

Website design By BotEap.comHead to head, Chelsea have established a 12-2 lead over Blackburn in 20 league games played between the sides over the last decade.

Website design By BotEap.comChelsea, who led the points table until the week 15 game, seem to have fallen apart in their last 10 games, winning just 2, losing 4 and drawing the rest. Those 4 defeats include a surprise 1-0 loss at Molineux to Wolves on Matchday 22.

Website design By BotEap.comBlackburn 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 against Liverpool, by a 3-1 margin.

Website design By BotEap.comCurrently sitting in fifth place in the table, Chelsea have won 7 of the 10 games hosted by them, drawing 2 and losing just one. Blackburn, in ninth place, won just 3 of 11 away games, while losing 7 and drawing the rest.

Website design By BotEap.comAlthough their current form looks impressive, Blackburn will find it difficult to play the champions at Stamford Bridge. Ancelotti’s men will have a point or two to prove as they struggle to catch up with Manchester United, who have been slipping further and further away with each game. More importantly, Chelsea will be looking to prove their naysayers wrong, as the champions appear to have been written off as title contenders this season, by all but their most rabid supporters.

Website design By BotEap.comChelsea 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.

Website design By BotEap.comBlackburn’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 game.