Bleacher Report - Chelsea

Chelsea V Wolves Online Preview: Premier League Football

Sports Betting Review — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:21:59 -0500

Chelsea v Wolves

21st November, 2009

Stamford Bridge

Kick-Off: 15:00 GMT

Chelsea

Chelsea recorded a fine victory against Manchester United in their latest Premier League match prior to this Chelsea vs Wolves clash .

Captain John Terry came up big when his side needed him most, as he has done for a number of years. The centre back scored the only goal of the game in the 76th minute to record a crucial victory for the Bleus over their rivals.

Chelsea have now distanced themselves from the rest of the pack as they sit comfortably in first place, a full five points clear of Arsenal and Manchester United. The club have yet to lose this season and have a fantastic goal difference of +21.

The depth of Chelsea’s squad is enough to scare any opposition, and following the internationals, Carlo Ancelotti may elect to rest a few of his first team regulars in this Chelsea v Wolverhampton match on Saturday.

Michael Essien, however, has apparently returned to England earlier than expected as he failed to report for Ghana’s friendly match with Angola on Wednesday.

Jose Bosingwa will miss the next three months after having surgery on his knee.

Wolves

Wolverhampton find themselves in the relegation zone, as they currently sit 19th in the league.

The newcomers were expected to struggle, although with a bit of luck, their situation could be very different.

Mick McCarthy’s team have lost six matches, but have shown signs of promise. Wolves have drawn three of their last four matches against strong opposition in Everton, Aston Villa and away against Stoke, who are an extremely strong team at home.

A victory would come as a big boost for the side that have not won since September, although against an in-form Chelsea team at Stamford Bridge, there is a real risk of a slaughter in this Chelsea v Wolves tie.

Prediction

The last league matches between these two sides came back in the 2003/04 season. The Chelsea vs Wolverhampton match at Stamford Bridge ended in a 5-2 Chelsea win, whilst the reverse fixture was even worse, with the Blues thrashing the Wolves 5-0.

Chelsea will be massive favourites ahead of Saturday’s match, and deservedly so—the difference between Chelsea and Wolves is like night and day.

The Wolves have done well so far this season, all things considered, and when they have lost, it has generally only been by a goal or two.

However, if Chelsea were to continue the form they possessed prior to the international break, there is a real chance that they could run riot in this match.

Chelsea vs Wolverhampton Prediction: Chelsea 4 - Wolves 0

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The Ten Greatest Chelsea Players of the Abramovich Era

Austin Lindberg — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 22:07:02 -0500

When Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea Football Club in the summer of 2003, he changed the shape of European football. Since that time, Chelsea has emerged as an annual front-runner for English and European glory. In Chelsea's pursuit of becoming the largest club in the world, Abramovich's billions have bought some of the largest names in the world. Some of those names have gone on to find massive success in West London. Meanwhile, some of the boys growing up not too far from Stamford Bridge have carried Chelsea to the global success Abramovich craves.

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Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool: Analysis In the Premier League Thus Far

Andriy Khrustalyov — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 23:16:21 -0500

Another exciting year of the Premier League is underway. As any Premier League competition, it's been full of surprises, dismays, exciting rumors, and unexplainable losses.

This particular writer is going to look back at the campaign of Arsenal, Chelsea, and Liverpool thus far in the Premier League—all the way from pre-season to mid—November.

Let's start, shall we?

Arsenal FC—Current Position—2nd

Last year, many critics criticized (surprised?) Arsene's Young Gunners. They were too young, they weren't experienced enough, they couldn't grind out results, they do not have a captain.

My my, how everything has changed. This year, Arsenal look like a rejuvenated team, playing, in my opinion, close to the best football in the country. Just go look at their goals.

Vermaelen looks like an absolute gem of a signing, and his partnership with Gallas, while not completely established yet, is set to become one of the Premier League's finest.

And while we all knew that Fabregas was a class act, this year he has stepped up his claim of the best central midfield in the country—he is still only 22.

His contribution to every game is priceless, whether it be a solo goal or a 60-yard assist.

The fluidity and understanding between Fab, Arshavin, van Persie, and Nasri seems to be becoming a stable backbone—all without Walcott so far, mind you.

One can only hope that the rest of Arsenal's young stars stay healthy (van Persie is already injured), and Wenger keeps developing this majestic, youthful, and exciting side.

Chelsea FC—Current Position—1st

Chelsea has also looked like a side gone through a little Italian Renaissance. Carlo Ancelotti has brought stability, locker room peace, and most importantly—the diamond formation.

Fans will adore, critics will question, and haters will hate, but I believe the diamond formation has worked so far for Chelsea.

Not just looking at their league position, but game play, it has worked so far.

The transfer ban imposed on Chelsea seemed to have the Chelsea community shell-shocked, although its uplifting is a delight for all Chelsea fans.

Who might Chelsea buy?

Lampard is fully back after his little goal drought, although currently he is injured. One might be cliché, but not necessarily wrong, in comparing Lampard to fine wine.

Didier Drogba might be having the best years of his life. As a target man, his positioning, movement, and holdup play have been superb in unlocking defenses.

John Terry remains to be the inspirational leader, heading the sole goal in their victory over Manchester United, and opening a five point deficit.

However, Chelsea fans must remember that five point deficits with Manchester United's current squad don't mean much—it was worse for them last year.

Chelsea fans will duly await the complete return of Joe Cole—his pace and dribbling might provide a second dimension to their formation.

Finally, I must ask C. Ancelotti to play Zhirkov a tiny bit more. His game against Slovenia was superb—he's called the "Russian Ronaldinho" for a reason. His technique and crosses are all top—notch (hint—great crosses, Drogba...Ancelotti?)

Overall, a very solid performance so far by the London Blues. We'll see if they can keep up through the African Cup and till' the business end of the season.

Liverpool FC—Current Position—7th

Oh dear. Liverpool.

Having their best season in a long time last year, Liverpool are in some slumbering state as of right now.

I will not call it a crisis, although it is well approaching one.

Things look bleak—in both the Champions League and the Premier League. To the few Liverpool fans that I've talked to, I've yet to hear something positive.

Ultimately, if you watch all of Liverpools' games, you will notice their fragile defense, namely Insua and Kyrgiakos have been making mistakes, although Carragher and Johnson are very far from innocent.

However, if one looks closer, you'll notice that Liverpool aren't far from coming back, and that many positives can be found.

Johnson has been superb at right back. Put aside his odd defensive lapses and you've got yourself a right-wing patrolling defender, running down the right wing like it is his own personal running track.

Benayoun has continued to improve season after season, his linkup play, positioning, and dribbling have all contributed to his earning of a starting position, albeit currently he is injured.

Finally, the rest of the Liverpool backbone, Torres, Gerrard, and Reina have all also played superbly. Aquilani has shown promises of replacing the missed Xabi-Alonso.

Look at it from one side, Liverpool were in an injury crisis and unlucky (beach ball anyone?) to plummet down the Premier League contenders charts.

Look at it from another side, Liverpool are a lost side without drive, or spirit that's already planning for "next year".

Your pick.

Finally, myself not being a Manchester United fan (no negative comments please), I can honestly say I would not be able to write a review about them. I just haven't watched enough of their games.

Nonetheless, based on past years and this years results, I'd just say watch out to the Chelseas and Arsenals of the league. Manchester United tends to pick it up business end of the season.

Thanks for reading.

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