Birmingham v Chelsea preview

Chelsea look to maintain their grip on the top of the Premier League as they travel to Birmingham City in the early kick-off on Boxing Day.

Carlo Ancelotti's men are four points clear at the top of the table, despite a recent dip in their form.

Indeed Chelsea have not won away since their victory at Arsenal at the end of November, and they have since picked up just a point from their last two away games.

Birmingham are full of confidence having not lost for nine matches and are one of the form teams in the division and victory for Alex McLeish's side will see them break into the top six.

History, though, is very much on Chelsea's side as Birmingham have never beaten the West London giants in the Premier League, a run which has taken in ten matches.

Indeed Birmingham have not even scored against Chelsea in their last four encounters at St Andrews.

Going into the game and Birmingham boss McLeish does have some injury concerns.

Team news
McLeish is hoping he can name an unchanged side for a seventh successive game, but he has doubts in his back-line.

The main concern is over summer signing Roger Johnson - who has had an outstanding campaign since his arrival from Cardiff City. He is struggling with a knee injury but is hopeful of featuring.

Liam Ridgewell, who has been playing at left-back, is also a doubt as he struggles with an ankle injury.

Both Johnson and Ridgewell will undergo tests on Boxing Day morning, but McLeish will be hopeful they will be able to start.

Chelsea are unlikely to make too many changes from the side that drew at West Ham last time out.

Nicolas Anelka again looks set to miss out due to a muscle problem, which is likely to mean that Salomon Kalou will partner Didier Drogba up-front. But it is likely to be the last game before the Ivorian duo link up with their country ahead of the African Cup of Nations.

Ancelotti also has the option of playing Daniel Sturridge ahead of Kalou, having brought him on at half-time against West Ham.

Florent Malouda started at Upton Park, but Ancelotti could very well recall John Obi Mikel in his place.

Michael Essien and Jose Bosingwa again miss out through injury.


Possible starting XIs
Birmingham: Hart, Ridgewell, Carr, Dann, Johnson, Bowyer, Larsson, Ferguson, Jerome, Benitez, McFadden

Chelsea: Cech, Carvalho, Terry, Ashley Cole, Ivanovic, Mikel, Lampard ,Joe Cole, Ballack, Drogba, Kalou