Chelsea’s Corner: Top Four Finish – A Bridge Too Far?

By Karan Yadav
12 years Ago

A gloomy, dark winter had given way to beautiful spring, with the appointment of Roberto di Matteo at Stamford Bridge. Suddenly, an FA cup rematch away at Birmingham was a walk in the park; an insurmountable mountain in the form of Napoli in the Champions League was emphatically conquered, and tricky opponents in the League, Stoke City, were defeated, before dispatching Lescester City to make it four wins in four.

At the Etihad Stadium, before Michael Essien’s inexplicably raised hand met the ball in the 78th minute, the dream was on. Chelsea, eventually, lost to Manchester City.

Then came Tottenham, who had last won a game at Stamford Bridge in 1990. Five points behind their bitter rivals, with everything to play for, Chelsea produced a lackadaisical performance, drawing a blank in front of an expectant crowd. Despite the crucial away win over Benfica in Champions League, surely, the cat is amongst the pigeons in the League. A top four finish appears beyond the West London club.

“We might have to win all our remaining games, but we will take the next game and the one after that“, said di Matteo after the draw against Spurs. In the next eight games, di Matteo’s team needs to earn five more points, score seven more goals than their London rivals. To understand the gravity of the situation Chelsea find themselves in, we, here, try to look at what awaits Chelsea between now and the end of the season in the Premier League.

Aston Villa, Villa Park

Chelsea have lost their last three away games in the Premier League; the trip this weekend takes them to Villa Park. In the last three matches here, between the two sides, Chelsea didn’t concede a single goal, scoring five and winning two of them.

Alex Mcleish has been accused of being overly defensive at Aston Villa, since his move from bitter rivals Birmingham City. Even the fine crop of youngsters, who’d been performing well under previous managers, aren’t performing at the level they are capable of. TheAi??VillainsAi??are fifteenth in the table and just eight points clear of relegation; certainly not a position a club of the stature of Aston Villa should be in. In the last game, they meekly surrendered to Arsenal.

However, they have already defeated Chelsea once this season, and that tooAi??convincingly. Despite whatever Villa have been doing of late, this game will certainly not be easy for the Blues.

Prediction: A cagey affair, with Chelsea perhaps scoring from a set-piece to grab all three points. (3/3)

Wigan, Stamford Bridge

Roberto Martinez had changed the system in the first half of the season; Wigan were playing more defensive than they had been previously accustomed to under the manager. However, since the game against Norwich City, Wigan mended their ways and went more attacking than before. Their midfielders, particularly Shaun Maloney, did well against Liverpool in a famous win. Martinez has not been afraid to change things to suit the players at his disposal; and the results are there to be seen. Wigan have lost just once in the last six games, with the win at Anfield in their last game being the highlight.

Undefeated in last five, clean-sheet in last three – that’s Chelsea’s home record in the League. Although the Blues could only draw 1-1 against Wigan at the DW this season, their home record against the Latics has been impressive. Chelsea have won the last three games, scoring 11, while conceding a solitary goal against the visitors.

Prediction: An entertaining game is on the cards, with both teams playing attacking football – Chelsea, because they are desperate; Wigan, because that’s how they roll! A Chelsea win. (6/6)

Fulham, Craven Cottage

All record books are thrown out of the window in local derbies, and the West London Derby is no different. In the last few years, matches between these two sides have hardly produced goals. The last two meetings at Stamford Bridge ended in a 1-1 draw and a 1-0 win for Chelsea, while a 0-0 draw at Craven Cottage was preceded by a 0-2 away win for the Blues.

Martin Jol has set up Fulham to play good attacking football relying on his front four to do the magic. Clint Dempsey has been in terrific form and striker Pogrebnyak has more than covered for the loss of Bobby Zamora. Fulham prefer to play down the centre, which means Chelsea will need to use the flanks.

Prediction: A tense game, with both teams sharing the spoils. (7/9)

Newcastle, Stamford Bridge

Thus far, out of the 30 games played by Chelsea and Newcastle this season, both have won 14, drawn 8 and lost 8. Chelsea are merely ahead of Alan Pardew’s team on goal-difference; an astonishing achievement for Newcastle, an equally astonishing underachievement for Chelsea.

Game after game, Cisse, Ba, Ben Arfa are unleashed on opponents – and, more often than not, they are relentless in their assault. Central midfielders Cabaye and Guthrie have not only shielded the defence astutely but have done so well that the Toons have not even missed a player of the caliber of Tiote, who will also return soon from injury. One of their strengths is their versatility, with many players capable of playing in multiple positions and capable of switching positions with ease.

Prediction:Ai??A tough, tough game for Chelsea, but one in which the home team will eventually prevail. Not without some late drama, though. 10/12

Arsenal, Emirates Stadium

Arsenal have won seven games in a row – and, are threatening to end the season on an uncharacteristically strong note. With the departure of Fabregas and Nasri, everybody expected the Gunners to finish outside the top four. A poor start to the season, in particular the 8-2 massacre at Old Trafford, just strengthened that belief. Wenger persevered, made his team to persevere, and they have all but secured a place in Europe yet again.

Before the comical game at the Bridge, which ended in a 3-5 defeat for Chelsea, and the 3-1 loss at the Emirates, the Blues had won four straight League games against Arsenal. Chelsea will have a lot more at stake, as compared to their bitter rivals, and any complacency on the part of Arsenal can prove to be fatal.

Arsenal v Chelsea will be an extremely crucial encounter

Prediction: Much more assured in defence than they were when these two sides last met, Chelsea and Didier Drogba will return to show Arsenal a glimpse of the recent past. (13/15)

QPR, Stamford Bridge

Yet another London derby for the Blues, and especially one wherein the reverse fixture had seen two of Chelsea’s players being sent off, at Loftus Road, will certainly not be easy. Despite being reduced to 9-men, Villas-Boas’ tactical nous had made the away side look competitive and good for at least a goal – but, it didn’t come. Since then, Chelsea have already defeated Queens Park Rangers in the Carling Cup.

Before losing to Sunderland, QPR had scored 3 goals in the last 15 minutes to defeat Liverpool, but the win had more to do with individual mistakes by Dalglish’s men than a stellar show by Hughes’ team. Overall, Mark Hughes is under pressure, with QPR losing 5 of their last 6 away games.

The team appears to be unsettled; Zamora, who moved to Loftus Road only on 31st January, is already unhappy, while another signing Cisse has been sent off twice in his five appearances. Presently in 18th position, they are yet to play Arsenal, Tottenham, and both Manchester Clubs, in addition to Chelsea; the writing is on the wall for QPR.

Prediction: A comfortable home win for Chelsea. (16/18)

Liverpool, Anfield

Chelsea have lost fourAi??consecutiveAi??games to Liverpool in the League. Further, Kenny Dalglish is yet to lose a match against Chelsea, in his managerial career.

Despite theirAi??horrendous form of late, wherein they have lost 5 of the last 6 games, Liverpool always manage to show up against the top teams at Anfield. The team hasn’t been playing well; injuries haven’t helped Dalglish’s cause either. Liverpool are waiting for their right-backs, Johnson and Kelly, to return, while Agger’s absence is being sorely felt, especially because Carragher, understandably, is not the same player he used to be.

Liverpool are 7th in the table, and have already qualified for the Europa League; there isn’t much left for them this season – but, that hasn’t prevented them from spoiling the day for others, has it?

Prediction: A classic Anfield performance by Liverpool will leave Chelsea licking their wounds. A painful defeat for the away team. Ai??16/21

Blackburn, Stamford Bridge

By the time this fixture arrives, Blackburn would be fighting for their lives to stave off relegation, in all likelihood. That just makes them one very dangerous team. Last campaign, on the final day of the season, both Wolves and Blackburn went into the game at the Molineux, with their survival hopes hanging in the balance. Blackburn needed a win and produced a brilliant display to take a a 0-3 lead in the first half. Eventually, both teams survived.

Presently 16th in the table, Blackburn have won three of their last six games, including a victory over Sunderland, with Yakubu, Dunn and Hoilett being some of their key players. On their last two visits to Stamford Bridge in the Premier League, they lost both games without scoring a goal, conceding 7 in the process.

Prediction: A fairly comfortable win for Chelsea. (19/24)

Ergo, Chelsea are expected to drop at least 5 more points out of a possible 24 in the remaining 8 games of the season. Adding these to their present deficit from Tottenham’s tally, we arrive at a fat figure of 10 points. Also, Spurs have reasonably comfortable fixtures remaining, with games against Swansea and Sunderland, perhaps, being the most tricky of the lot.

As it stands, a top four finish is indeed a bridge too far for Chelsea – and, they have no one but themselves to blame for being in such a situation. However, the beauty of football is such that stranger things have happened before.

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Categories: Chelsea FC, COVER STORY, Editor's Pick, English Premier League
Tags: Chelsea FC Premier league

Aston Villa, Villa Park

Wigan, Stamford Bridge

Fulham, Craven Cottage

Newcastle, Stamford Bridge

Arsenal, Emirates Stadium

QPR, Stamford Bridge

Liverpool, Anfield

Blackburn, Stamford Bridge

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