Chelsea face a resurgent Valencia at home tonight. Hailed as the perpetual unachievers of La Liga, Valencia have twice been to the final of the competition in recent years, and twice returned home with runners-up medals. Chelsea have twice progressed to the semi-finals 03/04 and 04/05, where they were defeated by Monaco and Liverpool respectively. Neither are reknowned for their European pedigree.A lot has been made of Chelsea's recent run of form, and of the fact that they have never hit top gear throughout this season. The return to fitness of Joe Cole will certainly add to team morale, however the loss of the creative spark provided by Arjen Robben will be a blow, especially in these European games where teams like to stand off. Bridge has returned to fitness after surgery, but is unlikely to play any part.
Valencia will no doubt be experiencing the fallout of their post-match brawl with the Nerazzurri, and their away form in the CL is poor, not having won any of their last 3 away games and only progressing past Inter due to the away goals rule.
Prediction: Chelsea take it 2-0
2 Comments:
Chelsea will take it, my hairy balls!
Sorry you feel that way. I of course need that optimism written down somewhere to make me feel somewhat less nervous throughout the day.
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