Chelsea v Blackburn - Preview

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CHELSEA VS BLACKBURN - 13/5/12 - STAMFORD BRIDGE - GAME 38

In what could possibly be the end of an era at Chelsea Football Club, Blackburn Rovers visit Stamford Bridge in the final matchday of the season. Both clubs have endured similar turbulent seasons although The Blues might be on to achieve greatness in the cup competitions despite the lowly 6^th position in the league. As for Blackburn, they were relegated last week at in-form Wigan and effectively have nothing to play for other than pride.

Blackburn, few years ago, were the type of team that would always knock on the door of the top ten in the Premier League but ever since Sam Allardyce was sacked by the incompetent Indian Chicken Company, things have gone downhill. The Venky’s decision-making was questioned when they sacked Big Sam and even when they handed Steve Kean a new contract this season. It’s not just the owners but even the team has failed to put in a run of good results this season. There have been brief flickers where Yakubu or Junior Hoilett inspired Blackburn to stunning wins but more often than not, they have produced the kind of performance that saw them get beaten 7-1 at the Emirates. Influential players like Chris Samba and Ryan Nelsen left during the season and more will surely follow now. Rovers may not return to the Premier League for some time now.

Chelsea, on the other hand were experiencing a campaign slightly similar to Blackburn but ever since the managerial change, the Chelsea spirit has overseen the Blues’ revival and they will be looking past this ,weekend’s dead rubber, at the Champions League final next week in Munich. Despite their Cup heroics, Chelsea’s league form under di Matteo has flattered to deceive. The only win in the last 5 matches was the 6-1 thrashing of QPR. di Matteo has clearly sacrificed the league to win the cups this season and it makes complete sense because of the tough run-in we had along with the cup games. The pay-off is that Chelsea are on the verge of achieving something truly special. For the second time in the club’s history, we are in the Champions League final – the holy grail for anyone associated with Chelsea after what has happened in the competition over the last few years. But let us forget that for a moment and focus on the Blackburn game now, however hard it may be to do so.

Team News

Chelsea are without defenders David Luiz and Gary Cahill but both defenders are set to start training next week in order to be match-fit for the big final. Chelsea will most likely rest all the players starting in Munich while John Obi Mikel is out with a knee injury. Blackburn on the other hand have lost Bradley Orr to a Achilles tendon injury while David Dunn and Paul Robinson are doubtful

di Matteo on Cahill and Luiz

Now we're trying our hardest working towards next Saturday in the hope they'll be in the group training next week.

We tried, but he wasn't ready so now we're trying for the last game. It's difficult to give it as a percentage.

They're at similar stages - not available for Sunday, and next week we'll push them to be available for the group.

Form Guide

Chelsea – LWLWW

Blackburn – LLWLL

Match Facts

Finishing 6^th will be Chelsea’s lowest position since the 2001-02 season when they also finished 6^th

The 4-1 defeat to Liverpool equaled the biggest margin of defeat for Chelsea since Roman Abramovich took over the club

There has been a goal in each of Blackburn’s last 44 games

Blackburn’s 47 league goals is as much as 7^th place Everton and 8^th place Liverpool have managed

Only Andy Johnson in 04-05 has scored more goals for a relegated team than Yakubu this season

Players to watch

Chelsea – Ramires – Missing the final at Munich may have been hard to digest for the pacy Brazilian but the Players’ Player of the Year would want to end a memorable personal season on a high at the Bridge

Blackburn – Junior Hoilett – Out of contract at the end of the season, Hoilett will be auditioning for other Premier League teams to snap him up

If the rumours of the 11^th minute round of applause for Didier Drogba is true, I urge every Chelsea fan at the Bridge for the game to shout their voices hoarse to Drogba for the countless times he has delivered when needed.