Chelsea aim to extend lead
Saturday, 26 December 2009
LONDON, Dec 25 (AFP): Chelsea can cement their position on top of the Premier League with a win over Birmingham Saturday, while new Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini gets his first taste of English football against Stoke.
With second-placed Manchester United not in action until Sunday's clash at Hull, Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea will move seven points clear of the reigning champions if they can defeat Birmingham at St Andrews.
But Ancelotti, whose team have spluttered of late, would be wise not to take Birmingham for granted.
While Chelsea have looked surprisingly vulnerable during a run of one win in six matches in all competitions, Birmingham have risen to seventh place on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run.
Ancelotti, who will be without injured France striker Nicolas Anelka, needs a big performance from Didier Drogba after the Ivory Coast striker's anonymous effort in last weekend's 1-1 draw at West Ham as he will be making his last appearance before flying off to the African Nations Cup.
"Birmingham have had five consecutive victories and a draw," Ancelotti said.
"Above all, it's difficult to play up there. They put a lot of pressure on and we'll have to pay attention."
While Ancelotti looks for the solution to Chelsea's recent inconsistency, his compatriot Mancini will hope for an early sign that there is no dressing room dissent over his appointment.
With second-placed Manchester United not in action until Sunday's clash at Hull, Carlo Ancelotti's Chelsea will move seven points clear of the reigning champions if they can defeat Birmingham at St Andrews.
But Ancelotti, whose team have spluttered of late, would be wise not to take Birmingham for granted.
While Chelsea have looked surprisingly vulnerable during a run of one win in six matches in all competitions, Birmingham have risen to seventh place on the back of a nine-match unbeaten run.
Ancelotti, who will be without injured France striker Nicolas Anelka, needs a big performance from Didier Drogba after the Ivory Coast striker's anonymous effort in last weekend's 1-1 draw at West Ham as he will be making his last appearance before flying off to the African Nations Cup.
"Birmingham have had five consecutive victories and a draw," Ancelotti said.
"Above all, it's difficult to play up there. They put a lot of pressure on and we'll have to pay attention."
While Ancelotti looks for the solution to Chelsea's recent inconsistency, his compatriot Mancini will hope for an early sign that there is no dressing room dissent over his appointment.