English Premier
2011-12-31 - Chelsea F.C vs Aston Villa
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Match Preview :
Chelsea will want to finish 2011 on a high when they welcome Aston Villa to Stamford Bridge today.
Both sides have had new managers installed during the close season and both have struggled to make an impact since being in the hot seat.
Andre Villas-Boas started his managerial career at Chelsea by guiding them into the last 16 of the Champions League, but his hopes of winning the Premiership at his first try looks highly unlikely now.
Even though Chelsea are unbeaten in their last six games and became the first team to beat Manchester City in the league earlier this month, a run of three straight draws has left them 11 points behind the two Manchester clubs leading the table.
The latest disappointement was drawing against Fulham on Boxing Day. In that match, Juan Mata's opener was cancelled out by Clint Dempsey'sequaliser and they failed to score the winner after that.
Aston Villa will be looking to claim maximum points here to get off to a good start ahead of the New Year. Alex McLeish has struggled to win over supporters since being appointed at the start of the season and has seen Villa slip into the bottom half of the table due to some poor results.
Villa still have a six-point cushion above the relegation zone and will be looking to get into the top half of the standings.
On Boxing Day Villa drew with Stoke in a goalless match after having been beaten by Liverpool and Arsenal in their previous two games.
Team News :
Chelsea Team News :
Villas-Boas gave Fernando Torres the nod to start up front against Fulham, but the Spaniard failed to score again and everyone at the club will hope the start of 2012 will bring a change of fortune for the £50million man, although he may be relegated back to the bench for the visit of Villa.
Didier Drogba may be recalled ahead of his departure for the African Cup of Nations, while Villas-Boas could decide to make further changes to keep his players fresh as there are another round of fixtures soon to come.
David Luiz returned from injury to partner John Terry in the heart of defence against Fulham, with Branislav Ivanovic and John Obi Mikel missing out after sustaining knocks against Tottenham.
Ramires is available again following a one-match suspension, but Alex and Nicolas Anelka will not be considered for selection after handing in transfer requests while Michael Essien remains a long-term absentee.
Aston Villa Team News :
Darren Bent has missed all three of those fixtures with a thigh problem and McLeish now hopes to have his record signing back for this clash. Bent will be included in the squad if he comes through Friday's training session without any problems.
Right-back Alan Hutton returns after serving a one-game ban for his sending-off against Arsenal but has to fight for a place in the side after Carlos Cuellar's recent impressive form.
Possible lineups
Chelsea : Cech, Bosingwa, Terry, Luiz, Cole, Romeu, Ramires, Lampard, Sturridge, Mata, Drogba.
Aston Villa : Guzan, Cuellar, Dunne, Collins, Warnock, N'Zogbia, Petrov, Clark, Albrighton, Agbonlahor, Bent.
Predictions :
Take Chelsea to get the win here and give the 1 3/4 ball for the Asian Handicap.
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Chelsea 3-0 Aston Villa
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Chelsea to win
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Main Bet:
Take Chelsea and give the 1 3/4 ball.
Take Chelsea and give the 1 3/4 ball.
