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English Premier League Preview: Charlton Athletic v Chelsea [Sat Sep 17th, 2005]
This Saturday sees South West and South East London lock horns in an eagerly awaited London derby at the Valley. London pride however is not the only thing at stake.
BACKGROUND & TEAM NEWS
Both Charlton and Chelsea go into this clash with 100% records in the Premiership, the only two teams left to have such a record. The Premiership champions go into the match as slight favourites despite their unattractive and ultimately unimpressive displays in the League so far, and have yet to concede a goal in all competitive games.
Chelsea's last two games at Stamford Bridge have seen them stutter to three points in each against Sunderland and Anderlecht respectively, and with the likely frenetic pace in Saturday's match, Chelsea may very well find themselves struggling at the Valley.
Jose Mourinho, despite publicly defending the mediocre performance midweek is likely to change the line-up, Hernan Crespo and Eidur Gudjohnsen should return to the side. The Blues will be without Wayne Bridge (ankle), Asier Del Horno (thigh) and Glen Johnson (thigh).
Chelsea's last trip to the Valley saw them leave with a crushing 4-0 away win, at a time when Chelsea were at their best. A repeat is highly unlikely. Prior to that result the Valley had been somewhat of a bogey ground for Chelsea and Alan Curbishley will look to his side to recreate the fortress effect.
Charlton's form this season so far has been outstanding, and summer signing Darren Bent from Ipswich looks a bargain at £3 million, scoring 5 goals in 5 games. Danny Murphy and Jerome Thomas have also looked especially dynamic and creative for the South London side.
Charlton's success so far this season has come from their compact midfield with Alexi Smertin the lynchpin. Because of the terms of his loan agreement Smertin will be ineligible for Saturday's game, which will result in Matt Holland replacing the Russian provided he shakes off a minor injury.
Dean Kiely and Jason Euell are also injury doubts. Darren Ambrose returns after suspension, while Alan Curbishley's options are additionally boosted by the return of Talal El Karkouri, Gonzalo Sorondo and Jonathan Spector.
Charlton's last result was an impressive 1-0 away win at Birmingham, and Alan Curbishley will look to carry the momentum forward for Saturday's game. The last time these two teams met Charlton found themselves to be unwilling guests at a Stamford Bridge title party, and they left with the ultimate humiliation of having Claude Makéléle score a dubious penalty against them.
Alan Curbishley has said he and his side have no fear of Chelsea, and are going into the game with the belief they can topple the Premiership Champions, however Chelsea with their stubborn defence are unlikely to be troubled by the so far excellent Darren Bent.
PROBABLE STARTING XIs
Charlton (from): Andersen, Young, Perry, Hreidarsson, Powell, Rommedahl, Murphy, Kishishev, , Thomas, Bent, Spector, Sorondo, Bothroyd, Fortune, Hughes, Bartlett, Holland, Karkouri, Myhre.
Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Ferreira, Gallas, Terry, Carvalho, Lampard, Essien, Makelele, Geremi, Robben, Duff, Wright-Phillips, Drogba, Crespo, Joe Cole, Carlton Cole, Huth, Diarra.
PLAYER TO WATCH:
Darren Bent: Can the new Premiership sensation maintain his excellent form in his first outing against a world-class defence?
Ben Amoah
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