Chelsea vs Portsmouth Betting – Premier League Wednesday

Stamford Bridge
Wednesday, December 16
Kick-off: 7.45 pm

Chelsea need a game to get back on track for their Premier League title charge, and Wednesday night could be just the one. Many expected nothing less than a home victory over Everton on Saturday, but some lapses in concentration and the inability to defend set pieces coming into the box, saw the Merseysiders grab an unlikely 3-3 draw. With Chelsea renowned for its watertight defence, this came as something of a shock. That result was on the back of a 2-2 draw with APOEL midweek in the Champions League, also at Stamford Bridge, and suddenly the foundations of their impressive home record looks on shaky ground. The run of less than perfect form was started with a 2-1 defeat away to Manchester City in the Premier League.

Maybe it is all just a blip. Remember earlier in the season, that Chelsea lost a couple of away games to Wigan and Aston Villa, but followed that up with a long winning sequence in which they exploded in terms of goal scoring. Chelsea have a team packed with quality, and a man at the helm, Carlo Ancelotti, who has injected some new life into them. Didier Drogba is firing on all cylinders this season, and looks to be in the form of his life, and paired with Nicolas Anelka up front, Chelsea have a formidable duo. But it is in the midfield area where Chelsea really excel, with England’s Frank Lampard running the show alongside internationals like Michael Ballack, Deco, Michael Essien and Deco. The Blues however, have lost Essien with a hamstring injury.

Didier Drogba is awaiting a fitness test, following a tweak in his back during training, but Chelsea will be buoyed by the news that Salomon Kalou, their third choice has recovered from injury, and so now they have options coming off the bench. Defender Alex is also fit again, and could strengthen any frailties in the back, if he can play. Ricardo Carvalho may be the one to sit out in defence, if Ancelotti decides to reshape things. Troubled Portsmouth will miss Younes Kaboul and there is still some doubt over Pape Bouba Diop will be fit enough to take part in the game at Stamford Bridge.

Chelsea, with their draw on Saturday, edged another point ahead of Manchester United, leaving them just three points clear at the summit of the Premier League. But they call ill afford not to punish the teams behind them, when they get the opportunity, such as on Saturday when Manchester United lost against Aston Villa. By the time Chelsea get to play, their closest rivals, United, could have drawn level with them, after their game on Tuesday night. Chelsea on Saturday, were again exposed by not being able to deal with balls coming into their box, and Ancelotti will be frustrated because it had looked as if they had sorted all of those problems out.

This game gives new Portsmouth boss Avram Grant the chance to orchestrate another dent in his former team’s title chances. With the recent influx of goals breeched in the Chelsea defence, perhaps Grant will be feeling that the Portsmouth resurrection could start in an ironic place. They picked up a 1-1 draw at Sunderland on Saturday, but are still sat at the bottom of the league, five points away from a spot of safety. A big game for both sides, but Chelsea will be expected to pick up three points without fail against the bottom side. The Bookies certainly think so.

Chelsea to win: 1/6 at SkyBet
Draw: 7/1 at Bet365
Portsmouth to win: 20/1 at Victor Chandler

Betting Advice: It will be a major upset and a severe shock if Chelsea do not win. Portsmouth are in dire trouble at the foot of the league, and Avram Grant has a tougher job on his hands than trying to follow in Jose Mourinho’s footsteps. Chelsea are powerful up front, whereas Pompey are struggling for goals. As long as they can keep organised at the back, and keeper Cech rediscovers at least some of his world class form, then Chelsea should win this at a relative canter.
Halftime/Fulltime Bet: Chelsea/Chelsea 4/7 at Sporting Bet