Ricardo Carvalho set to return for Blues
Chelsea’s preparations for their crucial Champions League clash with Inter Milan have been boosted by the news that Ricardo Carvalho will return to partner John Terry in defence, for the first time this month.
Ross Turnbull is set to continue in goal for the Blues, as Petr Cech has not yet recovered from injury, whilst at left-back Yuri Zhirkov, who came on as a late substitute in Chelsea’s 4-1 win over West Ham at the weekend, may not be fit enough to play the full ninety minutes this evening, so Florent Malouda may have to start the game at left back, as Paulo Ferreira is not register for European competition.
If Malouda is shifted back, there could be a starting spot for Joe Cole, in a midfield four, alongside Frank Lampard, Michael Ballack and Jon Obi Mikel.
Nicolas Anelka and Didier Drogba are certainties to start in attack, and if Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti decides to attack Inter, Salomon Kalou, who scored in the first-leg, could replace Cole, but in a more attacking 4-3-3 formation.
Jose Mourinho has no fresh injury worries, although the continued absence of Mario Balotteli is a blow. Former Portsmouth midfielder Sulley Muntari may have played himself out of contention tonight. The Ghanaian international picked up two yellow cards within two minutes of coming on eleven minutes from time at the weekend, and ultimately cost his side the game.
If Muntari doesn’t play, then there could be a central midfield spot available, alongside Esteban Cambiasso and Dejan Stankovic for new signing McDonald Mariga. The midfielder has not featured much since joining in January, but with Thiago Motta struggling with a thigh injury, the Kenya could be employed as one of the ‘blockers’ to allow Wesley Sneijder room to play.
In attack Samuel Eto’o and Diego Milito, who scored after just 2 minutes of the first-leg will cause problems for the Chelsea defence.
Expected Starting XIs
Chelsea: Turnbull – Ivanovic, Terry, Carvalho, Malouda – Mikel, Lampard, Ballack, Cole – Anelka, Drogba
Inter Milan: Julio Cesar – Maicon, Samuel, Zanetti – Mariga, Cambiasso, Stankovic, Sneijder – Eto’o, Milito
Match Odds (from Ladbrokes.com)
Chelsea – 8/13
Inter Milan – 5/1
Draw – 13/5
