Previews

McLeish aims to shock Chelsea

Author: Rose Young
Date: 24/12/2009
Football betting

The festive period is now upon us and Premier League hot-shots Chelsea face an early Boxing Day clash with high-flying Birmingham City at St Andrew's.

Carlo Ancelotti's men have opened up a four-point lead at the top of the pile after their 1-1 draw at West Ham United and will be looking for another win to keep Manchester United at arms length.

However, City boss Alex McLeish will be confident that his on-song side can grab at least a draw against last season's FA Cup winners.

They sit in seventh place in the league following a superb nine-match unbeaten run that has yielded six wins and three draws.

Can Birmingham City upset the odds and beat Chelsea on Boxing Day? - Latest Football Betting

In addition, In their nine home fixtures this term, Birmingham have conceded a miserly five goals.

That record will be tested by Didier Drogba, who is the online sportsbook favourite to finish the campaign as the leading Premier League goalscorer, though as weel as his strike partner Nicolas Anelka.

The media spotlight will be on Eastlands as Roberto Mancini takes charge of Manchester City for the first time when they take on obdurate Stoke City.

The Italian will be chasing a morale-boosting victory following Mark Hughes' acrimonious dismissal following the 4-3 success against Sunderland on Saturday.

Fulham, ecstatic after their fine 3-0 win over Manchester United, tackle London rivals Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage.

Roy Hodgson has guided his side to three wins and two draws from their last five league outings and has also helped them secure an unlikely passage from the group stage of the Europa League so confidence will be high.

Harry Redknapp's Spurs side have beaten Manchester City and Blackburn Rovers in their last two games and another win will aid their top-four charge.

Liverpool welcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to Anfield and another setback would certainly wreck the Merseysiders' Christmas festivities.

With Steven Gerrard and Fernando Torres firmly back in the fold, Rafael Benitez's men must put their lowly visitors to one side.

Mick McCarthy's men have turned a corner recently, winning three of their last four games, with only a 3-0 mauling against Manchester United at Old Trafford blotting their copybook.

West Ham United face Portsmouth at Upton Park in a relegation six-pointer. Avram Grant will be hoping to wave his magic wand over Pompey this weekend after presiding over their fine 2-0 win against Liverpool last time out.

Burnley and Bolton Wanderers lock horns at Turf Moor in a north-west showdown while out-of-form duo Sunderland and Everton will be striving for a success at the Stadium of Light as both teams look to get their seasons back on track.

Wigan Athletic welcome Sam Allardyce's Blackburn Rovers to the DW Stadium and the hosts will want to add more misery on the visitors, who have collected just four points from a possible 27 away from Ewood Park this term.

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