Chelsea FC

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• Founded:1905
• Manager:Carlo Ancelotti

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Preview: Chelsea v Birmingham

26 Jan 2010 - 12:50:55

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Chelsea welcome Birmingham City to Stamford Bridge on Wednesday evening as they look to continue their title charge at the top end of the Premier League table.

Carlo Ancelotti continues to enjoy his debut season in England and his side saw off the challenge of Championship outfit Preston North End in the FA Cup on Saturday to give the Blues a realistic chance of grabbing cup glory this term.

With Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal all out of the competition, Chelsea face Cardiff City at home in round five of the competition.

Since the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City on December 5, Chelsea have went six games unbeaten in the league and their last Premier League clash threw up a magnificent 7-2 home success against Sunderland.

Nicolas Anelka was the chief terrorist that day as he hit a well-taken hat-trick.

With Ivory Coast eliminated from the Africa Cup of Nations, Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou will return to the fold and could feature against Alex McLeish's impressive City side.

You would have to go back to October 17 to Birmingham's last defeat and they are the form side of the league as they continue to silence their critics.

Arsenal were the victors on that day and they have won seven and drawn five of their last 12 league games.

They have also progressed to the fifth round of the FA Cup after Saturday's excellent 2-1 triumph over Everton at Goodison Park.

However, the clash against Chelsea should pose a real test of their resolve as they look to make it 13 unbeaten following their promotion from the Championship last term.

Star-striker Cameron Jerome (ankle) could be fit for the contest but Lee Carsley (ankle), Garry O'Connor (hip) and Teemu Tainio (knee) will miss out.

Chelsea's Ashley Cole (ankle) may struggle to make the side and Jose Bosingwa (knee) nears a comeback from his lay-off.

Ghana midfielder Michael Essien, who picked up a knee injury on international duty during the Africa Cup of Nations, is out and Juliano Belletti (calf) continues to convalesce.