Preview : 20-Aug-2006, Sunday

Chelsea has a tricky opponent in Man City today. Even in Winning Eleven xbox games, I find it tougher to beat Man City than the bigger opponents. We certainly need to win knowing that our ‘rivals’ have dropped points at home and against weaker opposition. By winning, we get a headstart in the league table and we can go on.

The team news is that the following players will not be playing today – Petr Cech, Claude Makelele, William Gallas, Michael Ballack and Joe Cole. I’m not sure whether Jose would pick Cudicini after that blunder in the FA Community Shield match against Liverpool. Still Carlo did a good job after that blunder, he did some very good saves. But unfortunately for a goal keeper, the blunders stand out in memories than the saves. Gallas may not play again. I would prefer a change in the defence four from the last week. Wayne Bridge should start on the left and Ferreira on the right (sub with Geremi, if Paulo does the same crap as last week). I felt that Geremi did a good job as the right back. As always, Terry and Carvalho in the centre.

The midfield should also be the same as last week where Essien starts with Lampard and Robben and might be subbed with SWP. In forward, Kalou on left wing, Drogba on right wing and Shotgun Sheva in centre. All the while, I assume that it would be a 4-3-3. As far as the strategy goes, let Chelsea not do an Arsenal. Crap passing with no aim. Like last match, the front three should keep changing places and confuse the defence. Sheva would be marked heavily but that should leave some space for Kalou. And we should get the best out of the set pieces. But the problem is the deending of set pieces. This is where we miss Billy Gallas. The Crouch goal last week was poor set piece defending by us. And I wish Drogba has a good first touch. Probably his thoughts and actions are not coinciding. He really ahs to work on his first touch. I really wish that Kalou gets to play 90 minutes and I already see him linking up well with other players. 2-0 on the cards or 3-0 if Kalou plays for more than 60 minutes.

Ok. It’s time to start topping the table and hurting the rivals!

Also – Man United plays Fulham. That should be an easy start for Man Utd. They could finish 2-0. Saha on the scoresheet.