Group leaders Chelsea have travelled to Portugal in advance of Matchday 6 of the Champions League group stage . Second-place FC Porto will be the host. The match represents the first of a four-game gauntlet, one that features league matches with both Arsenal and Manchester City as well as a Carling Cup semifinal against Blackburn.

With qualification for the knockout stage of the CL already clinched, this match would seem an appetizer for the difficult stretch to come. However, a Porto win would see Chelsea dip to second with only a match remaining in the group. A quality result is certainly needed here.

Travelling squad (confirmed):  Cech, Hilario, Turnbull, Ivanovic, A. Cole, Zhirkov, Carvalho, Terry, Alex, Essien, Belletti, Mikel, Ballack, Malouda, Kakuta, Deco, J. Cole, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba

Analysis: Great to see Kakuta rewarded for his fine display on the weekend. I doubt he’ll make the squad, however, seeing as he was just out for the reserves. Drogba is unlikely to start, due to the rib injury, but a late run-out would be ideal. Ballack is also back, and could work his way into the starting eleven. So, too, could Deco.

Potential XI
Cech
Ivanovic-Alex-Terry-Zhirkov
Essien-Mikel-Malouda
J. Cole
Kalou-Anelka

Pre-match quote: 
“It’s four away games in a row and that’s the challenge major title-winning teams rise to. We know what it takes to win major titles and it is winning runs, periods when you keep on top, striding from result to result. If we beat Porto, we win the group with a game to go. Not many teams win in Porto but we can do it.
“Then it’s Arsenal and Manchester City in the league. Arsenal will be doing the maths; they are eight points behind with a game in hand. We’ve had some good results there since Wayne Bridge’s winner in the Champions League in 2004 and another one could cement our position at the top of the table.
“City are serious top-four contenders and, like Porto, are very strong at home. We have a great record there and these are the games when we can really make the difference. Victory, too, at Blackburn and we’re in the semi-finals. On the two occasions we’ve won the Carling Cup recently, we gone on to win the Premier League in 2005 and the FA Cup in 2007. It’s the appetiser.”
-England’s Brave John Terry

United is rather swagless at the moment, to be fair. But, of course, it’s Manchester United — they always find a way. Ferguson’s men must do so this afternoon without Rio Ferdinand, whose form has bordered on plain poor so far during an injury-riddled campaign. He’ll still be missed by a defense that has been far more porous than anyone could’ve have predicted.

Didier Drogba, whose form has bordered on the unobtainable (nine goals in his last nine appearances), could have a heydey. Chelsea, though in sublime form, must not be overconfident. Again, I repeat, this is Manchester United; they always seem to find a way.

Thanks to the Guardian

Chelsea
Doubtful: Mikel (ankle), Zhirkov (knee)

Injured: Bosingwa (knee)

Suspended: None

Last six matches: WWLWLW

Discipline: 11 Yellow; 1 Red

Leading scorer: Drogba 9

Manchester United
Doubtful: Berbatov (knee), Fletcher (ankle), Giggs (thigh), Vidic (calf), Welbeck (knee)

Injured: Ferdinand (back), Park (knee), Hargreaves (knee)

Suspended: Neville

Last six matches: WLWDWW

Discipline: 17 Yellow; 2 Red

Leading scorer: Rooney 7

I’ll have that.

This man may be the fulcrum in 09-10. More on that later…

I think we can safely say we’re not going to see a repeat of the midweek thrashing we threw at Wanderers in the Carling Cup. Wednesday’s match was the third consecutive demolition at Stamford Bridge — 13 goals scored, none conceded. The Blues are in a rich vein, eh?

Yet so, too, were Bolton until midweek. They are riding a run of four unbeaten at the Reebok so this could be more of a test to some may think. Up the Chels.

TEAM NEWS
Bolton
Doubtful: None
Injured: Davis (knee), J O’Brien (knee)
Suspended: None
Last six matches: WLDWDW
Discipline: 16 Yellow; 1 Red
Leading scorers: Cohen, 3; Taylor, 3

Chelsea
Doubtful: Cashley (leg), Ivanovic (leg), Mikel (ankle), Zhirkov (foot)
Injured: Bosingwa (knee), Hilário (concussion)
Suspended: None
Last six matches: WLWLWW
Discipline: 10 Yellow; 1 Red
Leading scorer: Drogba, 8

As Wigan, Stoke and Villa have shown, the Blues are lightweight aerially at the moment. The Blackeyes, obviously physical, also have plenty to offer in the way of threats amongst the clouds. Samba, Dunn, Roberts, among others, can almost certainly threaten from set pieces. With Ricardo Carvalho — caught out against Villa, though it was entirely his fault — almost a certain to partner England Brave’s John Terry once again with Alex still rounding into match shape, we might still struggle in this area. Watch this space.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti, who missed much of the week’s preparations tending to his ill father, is expected to return to the sideline in time for Saturday’s kickoff. One man we know for sure will be in attendance is Nicolas Anelka. The much-traveled forward has scored 10 goals in 12 league starts against Blackburn — his more prolific rate against any opponent.

Chelsea
Doubtful: Alex (match fitness), Mikel (match fitness)
Injured: Bosingwa (knee), Zhirkov (knee, again?!)
Suspended: None
Last six matches: LWLWWW
Discipline: 10 Yellow. 1 Red.
Leading scorer: Drogba 7

Blackeye
Doubtful: None
Injured: Grella (thigh)
Suspended: None
Ineligible: Young Franco (loan from us)
Last six matches: WLWLWD
Discipline: 13 Yellow. 1 Red.
Leading scorer: Dunn 4

That’s just how bad Madrid have been thus far this season. To put it in perspective, Atleti haven’t started this poorly in 15 years. They don’t have a win, or even a goal, yet in Group D.

Should’ve been a Chelsea player in the summer.

And, to think, most of us were cursing the rivers at our set-piece frailties following the 2-1 defeat to Aston Villa on the weekend.

That, we’ve been told, has been worked out. Supposedly. Earlier in the week, Michael Ballack — sorely missed in Saturday’s defeat — revealed that the players, along with CA, had held a “training-ground inquest” into our trouble on set pieces.

“We watched the game again at Cobham, we saw who made the mistakes – everyone knows that – and we’ve spoken about the game,” said Ballack, who will return for Madrid’s visit to Stamford Bridge. “We lost that game (at Villa) on set pieces. Everyone has to improve his movement, his defensive organisation in the box, and it comes down to personal attitude: ‘Don’t concede a goal.’ We can train and practise things but, if someone falls asleep at a set piece, we will still concede.”

Sure. But didn’t we have this problem last season under Scolari, too? Lets hope CA is, in fact, nothing like the bulging Brazilian and can rectify this sooner rather than later.

Regardless, Atletico should not offer much in the form of lethalness from free kicks and the like. Of course, you never know in football – see Rubin Kazan at Barcelona. They also got a kid name Kun. And an English reject named Diego, who ain’t half bad, either.

Nevertheless, we shouldn’t have a problem finding the net against a Madrid side that has conceded 17 goals in seven matches. Yikes. No Drogba (suspended) will help the Spanish side, but I can’t see that number not increasing at the Bridge.

Probable XI
Cech
Ivanovic-Terry-Carvalho-Cole
Ballack-Essien-Lampard
Kalou-Anelka

Match Facts
-Chelsea have not lost in their last 19 Champions League games at Stamford Bridge. The Blues have are unbeaten in 10 CL matches overall.
-Petr Cech will likely earn his 50th CL cap for Chelsea.
-Atletico have drawn six of thier last eight CL games. They have failed to scored in their last three.
-The Spanish club has lost on only two of its seven trips to England.

The international break is finally over — congratulations, by the way, to Ghana for becoming the first African nation to win a major competition with a dramatic penalty shootout triumph over Brazil in the U-20 World Cup — and Chelsea open the Premier League slate this weekend at Aston Villa.

This will be no easy task. Villa Park has traditionally been a bogey destination for the Blues; last February’s 1-0 win represents our first there since the turn of the century. Villa, despite a somewhat surprising defeat to Blackburn, have been in a decent run of form. Three victories preceded the loss, while a draw with Manchester City — a game Villa led for much of the night — followed.

Chelsea, meanwhile, will be looking to further distance itself from the 3-1 loss to Wigan in their last league away match with back-to-back wins against top-6 sides.  If you recall, last time out, the Blues disposed of Liverpool 2-0 at Stamford Bridge. Beautiful.

Team News
Aston Villa
Doubtful: None
Injured: Bouma (fitness), Downing (ankle), Davies (shoulder)
Suspended: None
Last five matches: DLWWW
Disciplinary: Yellow 12, Red 0
Leading scorer: Agbonlahor 4

Chelsea
Doubtful: Bosingwa (hamstring), Alex (groin), Mikel (ankle)
Injured: Ballack (ankle)
Suspended: None
Last five matches: WLWWW
Disciplinary: Yellow 9, Red 1
Leading scorer: Drogba 6

Potent Potables

• Aston Villa have won just once in its last 10 league matches against Chelsea
• Chelsea have netted in 13 straight Prem matches (31 goals).
• Villa are the only Premier League side not to have conceded a headed goal.
• Nicolas Anelka loves the Villains. He’s scored in his last three league matches against them.
• Getting defensive. Half of the goals Chelsea have conceded this season have come via defenders

He’s half a boy and half a girl,
TORRES! TORRES!

That doesn’t seem to be the case nowadays, does it? Not after last season, anyway.

These two loveable clubs who so often have sucked the life out of the sport of football over the past few years now appear best mates — I’d reckon they quite enjoy the odd cuddle up and romantic comedy on a Friday night.

Aside from Liverpool’s deflected triumph at Stamford Bridge — coincidentally the venue for Sunday’s mega-fight — the sides combined to produce 14 goals in three matches last term. Fourteen you say? The final hurrah a whimsical 4-4 Champions League draw in mighty London. Hardly a bore wouldn’t you say?

More of the same Sunday, then? Doubt it.

What we do know is that both clubs are desperate for an impressive showing. Chelsea is coming off projectile vomit-inducing performances against Wigan (loss) and APOEL (win). Liverpool, fresh from a comprehensive defeat in Florence, has already lost twice in the Premier League. Suffice to say the scum have been more erratic then, well, Woody Allen.

So both will be up for it. What that translates to is anyone’s guess. All I know is it should make for great entertainment.

Team News
Chelsea
Foremost for the Blues will be the absensce of Petr Cech, suspended (red card), in goal. Hilariou should deputise. It appears the sorely missed Michael Ballack (calf) will return to the starting XI. Alex, John Obi Mikel and Daniel Sturridge will not take part. Recent returnees Deco, Zhirkov and Joe Cole provide greater depth off the bench.

Liverpool
Great news for the scum: Javier Mascherano, the fulcrum of this side, is set to return after missing the midweek match due to a hamstring injury. Great news for the Blues: Lucas should continue to patner the Argentinian in midfield. Daniel Agger (back) may make it into the squad, but Dossena and Aquilani will miss out.

Quotage
“The first half was the worst performance I have seen in my time here. We were doing everything wrong. Fiorentina pressed us well and made us make mistakes. When you make mistakes at this level, you get punished. I was not happy with the challenging all over the pitch in the first half. The mentality was not good enough. We were too nervous. They did well, but we did everything badly.”
-Rafa Benitez, following Liverpool’s 2-0 loss to Fiorentina midweek

“I’m not satisfied. I wanted Chelsea to play better and to take more control, to play with courage. We have to change, for sure. The players did strong work, for sure, and ran a lot on the pitch, but we have to play better. It was a good result but not a good performance, particularly in the second half. We tried to control the game with possession, but we made a lot of mistakes.”
-CA, after Chelsea’s drab 1-0 win at APOEL midweek

Facts (no Rafa)

• Liverpool have scored 56 goals in 18 games since they last failed to score — Middlesbrough, Feb. 09
• Chelsea have averaged 26 shots per game, the most in league play. Liverpool are second with 22
• Liverpool have scored 22 and conceded 10 goals so far – both record highs for the club after seven games
• Chelsea’s 1-0 defeat by Liverpool last season was their first home loss in more than four and a half years
• All but one of the league goals Liverpool have conceded have come from set-pieces
• Liverpool have drawn only one of their last 19 Premier League matches
• Chelsea have fired in the most shots (127), but Liverpool have mustered the most shots on target (65)
• Only two of the seven teams who have had 18 points or more after seven league games have won the title — one of those was Chelsea in 2005-06

Carlo Ancelotti’s first real test as Chelsea manager arrives today when the Blues resume Group D play in the Champions League against Cyprus’ APOEL Nicosia.

This will be Chelsea’s — more importantly CA’s — first match since the 3-1 defeat away to Wigan on Saturday, the Blues’ first loss of the 2009-10 season. That was quite the unexpected result, even if Wigan were good money for the points at the end of the day.

Now comes the hard part: The response. How we react is not just crucial, it’s critical — imperative even. We simply cannot have another Scolari-esque period at the club again; we probably couldn’t sustain it.

Add our opponents Sunday to the mix, Liverpool — Rafa’s club likely a tad agitated following Tuesday’s 2-0 reverse to Fiorentina (fact) — and Wednesday’s match takes on even greater meaning.

As always, keep me abreast of your thoughts, musings, feelings etc. before, during and after the match. Let me hear you, people.

Team News

Chelsea
Joe Cole (illness) and Deco (calf) have been passed fit and will be included in the team, though neither will start. Midfield options are limited, with both Michael Ballack and John Obi Mikel unable to travel with the team due to injury. Ballack is expected to return for Sunday’s match against Liverpool, though (excellent).

Salomon Kalou and Branislav Ivanovic appear set to remain trusted deputies for the still-suspended Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa.

Ashley Cole trained with the squad on Tuesday, but CA is still undecided on whether the world’s best left-back will be in the mix for APOEL after he suffered a gash to his knee against Wigan. Yuri Zhirkov is expected to start if Cashley is unable to go.

APOEL
The Cypriots recorded an excellent draw in Madrid against Atletico on Match Day 1. However, enthusiasm for this tie may have dwindled because of injuries. APOEL will be without four key members, including principal goal threat Adrian Sikora.

Former Blue Nuno Morais, who made nine appearances for Chelsea over three seasons from 2004, will play against the club he left two years ago.

Quotage

“You can go anywhere in the world and not play well, but the least we expect from every player is that we work hard and fight. The whole team, collectively, didn’t do that. That’s the most disappointing thing of all. All the other big sides in and around us had emphatic wins, so it’s disappointing that we’ve come here and thrown away three points. It’s disappointment all round.
“The manager has stressed that and the players feel that. When you look at it, you can’t come to places like this, when they’ve got their crowd behind them, and not match their work ethic. We didn’t win our headers, didn’t win our tackles and that’s simply not good enough. That’s the minimum we ask for.”
-England’s Brave John Terry, following the loss to Wigan

“We analyse the mistakes at Wigan for sure. But usually we do this every game. I don’t want to spend a lot of time on this match. It was not a good match, we understood this but now we are looking forward to this important game. Tomorrow I want to see a good reaction. I would like to see Chelsea play like in past matches in the Premier League and the Champions League.
“There is a good pressure for the (CL) match. ’They have a lot of enthusiasm for this moment. There is not only one player who can be dangerous for us. They are a team with good organisation both when they attack and defend. They work very compact and this could be a problem for us. But for sure we will return to playing well and have a good direction after Wigan.”
-Carlo Ancelotti

“Everybody spoke at half-time and at the end in the dressing room. The players all knew it wasn’t a good performance and not to the level we expect at Chelsea. Yes, there was anger amongst us. When you lose the way we lost to Wigan, nobody can be happy. We spoke and now we have the opportunity to act.
“Against Wigan we were always reacting to situations and were late with everything. Everything that could go wrong did. We didn’t put all the ingredients in to win as we had in the first six games of the season. We know that, even if we are a good team, if we don’t put in all those ingredients we won’t win. Every team we come up against is organised and wants to beat us. If we’re not prepared for that, we can have trouble against any side. But now we have an opportunity in another competition.”
-Florent Malouda

Random Facts

• APOEL won all three home games in their CL qualifiers by at least a two-goal margin.
• APOEL has played 104 European matches, but never against an English club.
• Chelsea are riding a nine-match unbeaten run in the CL. They have only lost two of their last 12 games away in the competition.
• This will be Chelsea’s first European match — in 155 — against a club from Cyprus.

Video

Highlights of APOEL’s 3-1 win against Copenhagen — which vaulted them into the group stages — is below…