Analysis:

Chelsea will be looking to get back to the top of the Premiership when they welcome the visit of Birmingham to Stamford Bridge in this match on Wednesday night.

As it is they are now third in the standings after Manchester United beat Hull 4-0 while Carlo Ancelotti's men were busy seeing off Preston in the FA Cup fourth round. However Chelsea have two games in hand to make up for the two points and will be determined to make up ground on their title rivals with Arsenal also movingahead of them on goal difference.

Birmingham on the other hand comes to Stamford Bridge being unbeaten in their last 12 games. On Boxing Day when these two sides met it ended in a goalless draw at St Andrews and having drawn away at Liverpool and at home to United just a few weeks ago, Alex McLeish's side have already proven they can play with the best.

However, history is not on their side as Alex McLeish side have not beaten Chelsea since 1980, the same season they also won at Stamford Bridge.

As for the team news, even though Didier Drogba and Solomon Kalou are expected back to England today, they are not expected to play any part in this match despite the exit of Ivory Coast at the hands of Ghana in the African Cup of Nations. Juliano Belletti (calf) limped off against Preston on Saturday and will also sit out this match. Branislav Ivanovic will come back into the right back slot.

Jose Bosingwa is still out with a knee injury for Chelsea but should be able to return in a couple of weeks time. Midfielder Michael Essien has been ruled out of the African Cup of Nations by Ghana after it was discovered his knee injury was more serious than first thought. So, he too is out for Chelsea.

As for Birmingham, captain Lee Carsley misses out with an ankle injury while fellow midfielder Teemu Tainio is also out with a knee problem and will not be back till February. The only othr absentee will be Garry O'Connor who is out until March with a hip complaint.

Michel and Craig Gardner who were newly signed in January is likely to make their debut in this match as well.

Take Chelsea to win this match and go back to the top of the Premiership.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

Chelsea 2-0 or 3-0

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Take Chelsea to win here.

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Chelsea and give the 1 3/4 ball away here.