English Premier
2009-12-16 - Chelsea vs Portsmouth
A Sports Betting Pick by Gooner
Football: England, Premier League
Wednesday, 16th December 2009 - Kickoff 19:45
Top entertains bottom at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening and as you'd expect Chelsea's price has been pushed to unbackable levels.
Chelsea (1st) Home : 7-1-0 23:4
But The Blues are on a four-game winless streak in all competitions, and as Chelsea are still top of the table it's hardly a crisis but the concession of 10 goals in two weeks has closed the gap at the top and put the Chelsea defence under scrutiny.
The 3-3 home draw with Everton on Saturday was the first time that Chelsea have dropped league points at The Bridge this season, and the manner of coceding goals from set-pieces so easily was a huge surprise.
I have to think that manager Carlo Ancelotti will have emphasied to his team that this defensive sloppiness has to stop and I'd expect Chelsea to be a good chance of getting a clean sheet.
Chelsea Team News :
Chelsea will give Didier Drogba a late fitness test after the striker hurt his back in training on Tuesday.
Defender Alex and forward Salomon Kalou are both available after recovering from injury but Ricardo Carvalho is set to be rested.
Doubtful : Drogba (back), Sturridge (hip/thigh)
Injured : Bosingwa (knee), Essien (hamstring).
Portsmouth (20th) Away : 1-2-5 4:12
Portsmouth's 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Saturday was a pretty fortunate, as Sunderland bossed the match for large periods and had several chances to score the "killer" second goal before Pompey popped up with an injury time equaliser.
Still, you have to ride your luck in football and it speaks volumes for the efforts of manager Avram Grant who is trying to install belief in the players that they can pick up points at all venues.
Portsmouth have actually picked up seven points in thier last six away games, but it would be a major surprise if they picked up anything here.
Portsmouth Team News :
Portsmouth will be without Younes Kaboul, who is suspended after being sent off during Saturday's 1-1 draw away to Sunderland.
Pape Bouba Diop (hamstring) will be assessed ahead of the game.
Injured : Ward (groin)
The Betting Verdict
I can't get excited about the 1/6 (1.17) price on a Chelsea win, and with Didier Drogba looking doubtful, I'm not too sure how many goals Chelsea will score.
But I do think that Chelsea will win this match, and I don't expect to see the home side concede a goal either - so a "win to nil' bet is on the cards.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 2-0 Portsmouth
FIXED ODDS BETTING TIP :
Take CHELSEA TO WIN TO NIL priced at 1.62 at Paddy Power(Compared to just 1.50 at Bet365)
