CHAMPIONS LEAGUE BETTING PICK - FC COPENHAGEN V CHELSEA

Champions League

2011-02-22 - FC Copenhagen vs Chelsea

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Analysis:

Carlo Ancelotti is under tremendous pressure after his side were knocked out of the FA Cup to Everton and it must be said that since they have been drawn with FC Copenhagen eight days before Christmas 2010, Carlo Ancelotti's team have won less than 50 per cent of their matches in all competitions to leave the defending Premier League champions in a tight spot now.

They have managed just five wins, three of which came in between 9th and 24th January, have been recorded from 12 matches to lead to reports of all sorts of problems surrounding the club from Stamford Bridge ahead of their first leg in Scandinavia.

Ancelotti's position has been described by many is just a matter of time amid suggestions that he has suffered a complete breakdown in his working relationship with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich. There is even speculation that Jose Mourinho could come back to the Chelsea side!

Ancelotti's main aim this season is to finish in the top four to at least qualify for the Champions League next seaon, unless they can win the present competition of course.

And despite having finished top of Group F with five wins from six matches their confidence going into this match is at an all time low. European success, which has long been a priority for Abramovich, could prove the only saving grace for Ancelotti come May.

However, Copenhagen will prove a stern test following their position as runners-up to Barcelona in Group D, with Pep Guardiola's defending Spanish champions only leaving Denmark with a point.

As for their starting lineup, Fernando Torres will be out to silence his critics and is set to start in this match which is also likely to include Nicolas Anelka, Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa at Parken Stadion, where England played Denmark earlier in February.

None of the quartet started against Everton, with £50milllion January signing Torres cup-tied having appeared in the competition for Liverpool, Bosingwa injured and Anelka and Essien on the bench kept on the bench.

But former Benfica star David Luiz is cup-tied, while Alex (knee) and Yossi Benayoun (Achilles) are still sidelined.

Meanwhile, Copenhagen head coach Stale Solbakken has revealed that some members of his squad reckon they are a better team than Chelsea but even if that is not true, they can still cause England's 2009/10 Double-winners problems.

For the record, Solbakken's side have not played a competitive match since their last Champions League group game more than two months ago. In Denmark this game has been billed as the biggest in their club's history so they will want to give it their all.

One player who will be familiar with Chelsea is Jesper Gronkjaer following his four years with Chelsea between 2000 and 2004. Then there is striker Dame N'Doye has scored 13 goals in 18 matches this season.

Experienced defender Mikael Antonsson and fellow centre-back Mathias Zanka Jorgensen will be guarding Torres to make sure he does not score his first goal for Chelsea.

Take Chelsea and give the 3/4 ball here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Chelsea to win here.