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Chelsea v Birmingham betting preview and predictions (FA CUP, 5th round - February 18, 2012) |
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Saturday, 18 February 2012 |
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The English FA Cup is beginning its fifth round in the elimination tournament as clubs from the top two English leagues face off. Chelsea will have a chance to show there is still something to be salvaged from their season when they take on Birmingham in the 5th round this Saturday. Read on for our full match preview with the latest team news, odds, probable lineups and free betting tips.
CHELSEA vs BIRMINGHAM: BETTING PREVIEWWith just one win in their last five matches Chelsea are struggling in a way that no-one imagined when Andre Villas-Boas arrived at Stamford Bridge in the summer. The coach is under increasing pressure and the 2-0 defeat at Everton on Saturday saw his side drop to level on points with Arsenal and they now face a serious battle for the all important fourth Champions League spot. A defeat to Birmingham on Saturday in the FA Cup would leave the Portuguese man clinging to his job by the smallest of margins.
While they remain one of just two English sides that made it to the knockout stages of the Champions League (the Blues will travel to Napoli immediately after hosting Birmingham), the result against Everton, which meant that Chelsea have now won just two of their last ten league games, saw them drop outside of the top four for the first time since November. So Chelsea will focus some of the energy in the FA Cup as it would seem winning the Premiership outright is out of reach.
Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou will link back up with the Chelsea squad after their exploits at the Africa Cup of Nations, with Drogba likely to lead the line at the expense of Fernando Torres, who has failed to take advantage of the Ivorian’s absence by continuing his goal drought in the league that stretches back to September. Skipper John Terry though is back in training, although he is unlikely to be risked for this tie. Therefore David Luiz could be asked to partner Gary Cahill. Ashley Cole could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines with a calf injury.
The in-form Championship side Birmingham will fancy their chances in west London. They are unbeaten in their last thirteen games, with seven wins in the most recent nine games
The last lost game is a 1-0 reverse at Crystal Palace back in December. Birmingham has defeated Wolves in the 3rd Round of this competition before hammering Sheffield Utd 4-0 in the last round.
Despite a 0-0 draw with Hull in their last game, Birmingham’s recent rich vein of form has seen them climb into the play-off places, while Houghton and his side will certainly have one eye on automatic promotion with just five points separating them from 2nd placed Southampton
The visitors are short of options at the back following the departure of Liam Ridgewell and Jean Beausejour. They are expected to change from their regular 4-4-2 formation and play just a single striker upfront. Guirane N'Daw is unlikely to play after the midfielder injured himself against Portsmouth, and is expected to be replaced by Keith Fahey.
CHELSEA vs BIRMINGHAM: BETTING PREVIEWChelsea (4-3-3) - Cech, Luiz, Cahill, Bertrand, Bosingwa, Essien, Meireles, Lampard, Sturridge, Mata, Drogba
Birmingham City (4-5-1) - Myhill, Davies, Caldwell, Murphy, Carr, Fahey, Mutch, Burke, Spector, Elliot, King
CHELSEA vs BIRMINGHAM: TEAM FORMChelsea FC
Feb 11, 2012 Everton 2 - Chelsea FC 0 EPL
Feb 5, 2012 Chelsea FC 3 - Man Utd. 3 EPL
Jan 31, 2012 Swansea 1 - Chelsea FC 1 EPL
Jan 28, 2012 QPR 0 - Chelsea FC 1 FA
Jan 21, 2012 Norwich City 0 - Chelsea FC 0 EPL
Birmingham City
Feb 7, 2012 Birmingham City 1 - Portsmouth 0 ENG2
Jan 28, 2012 Sheffield Utd. 0 - Birmingham City 4 FA
Jan 18, 2012 Wolves 0 - Birmingham City 1 FA
Jan 11, 2012 Birmingham City 2 - Ipswich Town 1 ENG2
Jan 7, 2012 Birmingham City 0 - Wolves 0 FA
CHELSEA vs BIRMINGHAM: BEST ODDS
| FA Cup
| Best Odds
| Bookie |
Liverpool
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1.30 |
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The Draw
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5.50 |
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| Manchester UTD |
12.00 |
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CHELSEA vs BIRMINGHAM: BETTING PREVIEWChelsea -1,5 Asian Handicap @ 1.93
Lampard anytime goalscorer @ 2.50
3:1 Correct score @ 11.00
Over 2.5 goals @ 1.65
  
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