PREVIEW: Chelsea v Birmingham - Tonight's the night!

Tonight, without Alex, Ramires and possibly Ivanovic, Chelsea take to the pitch knowing that dependant on what happens at White Hart Lane, three points could move us into second place in the Premier League. With United slipping up last night, we could move within six points of the leaders knowing they still have to play us and The Arsenal. Chelsea need another West Brom like performance tonight against a hard working Birmingham side.

Birmingham have to be honest and say they rode their luck at St Andrews earlier in the season as Ben Foster put in the performance of his life beating Chelsea 1-0. Chelsea dominated the game and even Carlo Ancelotti has gone as far as to say it was "one of our best performances of the season".

Chelsea need another dominant display tonight and I believe they will. Birmingham will set up packing the midfield and playing one in behind Cameron Jerome up front on his own. Chelsea will need to work hard to break them down and with Chelsea looking like getting back to near their best should have more than enough tonight to do so.

The question remains however, apart from the forced change with Ferreira in for Ivanovic, will he stick with the same side that started against West Brom or will we see the likes of Anelka, Benayoun and Fernando Torres come in with their fresher legs.

No disrespect at all to Birmingham tonight but Chelsea should win this one on paper. We have enough quality in all areas of the pitch to win the game with ease, it just depends on the Chelsea that take to the pitch and whether or not we turn up again.

I think it's fair to say that Birmingham's League form has been up and down. Their League Cup success was fantastic and congratulations and all credit to them. On 38 points they still have one eye over their shoulder but are good enough to get the points to stay up. When they do reach Premier League safety, this season will go down as one of their most successful.

Tonight though, I am sorry to say it, but if Chelsea stick to our tried and trusted 4-3-3 and the players continue on from West Brom I can only see a Chelsea win by at least two or three goals tonight.

KTBFFH

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