Grant set to compound former club’s woes
Chelsea face a
tricky test against Portsmouth at Fratton Park, as they look to rescue
their fading chances of winning the English Premier League title.
After enjoying a
long spell at the summit of the table, the Blues’ season have witnessed
a dramatic setback where they now look to battling for a second place
finish, following their damaging weekend draw at Blackburn.
They, however, have
the chance to reduce Manchester United’s four point lead to one, if
they bounce back to winning ways tonight, when they face their former
manager, Avram Grant, who is the current boss of embattled Portsmouth.
Grant won 36, drew 13 and lost five of his 54 matches in charge of
Chelsea from 2007 to 2008, guiding them to the UEFA Champions League
title before surrendering the crown to Manchester United in Moscow.
Bottom-placed
Portsmouth, who appeared to have lost the battle to escape relegation
after having nine points deducted from their total, could benefit from
the London opponents’ dwindling form. Chelsea have only won three of
their last seven league games and with influential defender, Branislav
Ivanovic missing through injury, Pompey may fancy their chances of
getting at least a point from the game.
In the other games
scheduled for tonight, Manchester City will host Everton in what is
expected to be another huge game at the City of Manchester Stadium
while Aston Villa will host Sunderland at the Villa Park.
Blackburn and Birmingham will also battle at Ewood Park.
Serie A: Inter face struggling Livorno
This is about first
against last but 17-goal man, Diego Milito, may miss this match and the
upcoming Roma match to injury. Trouble may also continue to brew in the
Inter camp between hot-head forward Mario Balotelli and Jose Mourinho,
as Balotelli went on camera to say, after not being part of the Inter
team that beat Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, that the plaudits should be
for the team and not to the coach: “Whose victory was it? No way! It
was the team that won at Stamford Bridge, not Mourinho.” The youngster
has however, been re-instated into the first team. Inter have won one
match in five on the domestic scene in what can be described as a lull
but Livorno’s record reads one point from a possible 15. Inter have
already beaten the Amaranto twice this season, once in the league and
in the Cup with Livorno yet to register a goal against the champions.
Normal service should resume with a win for Inter almost guaranteed.
Bologna vs. Roma
Roma are just four
points off the summit and travel to face a Bologna team who are sitting
uncomfortably in 14th position, waiting to pounce. Roma defenders,
John-Arne Riise and Juan, are confident their side can catch Inter and
win the Scudetto this season. “The comeback is possible. Inter are the
favourites, but we believe,” said Riise. “It will be fundamental to win
in Bologna to give us every chance in the head-to-head on Saturday”.
Juan agreed, and said that his faith lies in the fact that Roma have
another card up their sleeves with the likely return of Francesco
Totti. “For us, it will be an advantage to get our captain back. We
hope that he can get back to his best,” the Brazilian explained. Inter
will be tired. They are playing a lot and are still active on all
fronts. Inter travel to Stadio Olimpico to face Roma on Saturday
Parma vs. Milan
After missing
another opportunity to leapfrog Inter, the Rosseneri will have another
chance when they travel to Stadio Ennio Tardini to face Parma. Milan
will be missing Alexandre Pato and Allesandro Nesta. These absences
have become the key to whether Milan will win the Scudetto or not.
David Beckham is out for the rest of the season. Though the
Leonardo-tutored side have earned more points on their travels than at
home, they will have to be wary of a youthful Parma side.
La Liga Barcelona will be ‘Messi-less’
Defending
champions, Barcelona, face lowly Osasuna with Lionel Messi looking
virtually unplayable. The Barca wunderkind has scored 25 goals in 27
matches and has eight goals in three matches going into this match.
A last-minute own
goal from Gerard Pique cost Barcelona two points in the reverse, as
they had to settle for a 1-1 draw at Osasuna. If Messi plays well, the
question is now how many goals will be scored by the ‘Flea’ as he
continues to conjure magic with his boots and he has added scoring
goals with his head.
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