PREVIEW: Chelsea v Blackpool - Can plucky Blackpool cause us problems?

This afternoon Chelsea take on Blackpool at the Bridge as we look to continue our good start to the Premier League campaign. We are once again without Frank Lampard and with Ian Holloway's plucky Blackpool side looking to attack rather than sit back we should be in for an entertaining game!.

You have to hold your hands up and admit that you admire Ian Holloway and his side's start to the season. With win's against Newcastle and Wigan away they have made quite a few people sit up and take notice with their attitude and style of play. In my eyes people are writing them off too soon for relegation and if they keep playing they way they have, with the same attitude and mentality for the rest of the season I believe they will avoid the drop.

As for today, its a different story as they face Chelsea at the Bridge and it should be another three points in the bag today.

Chelsea come into the game after the impressive (for 50 minutes anyway) performance in mid week against Zilina. One particular person wasn't impressed at all but with another 4 goals in the bag, free scoring Chelsea could add to our goal tally once again today.

Last week Blackpool's keeper Michael Gilkes was outstanding and besides the two goals was the main reason Blackpool took three points at St James' Park and he will need to be at his best today for Blackpool to have any realistic chance in the game.

The doesn't mean that Blackpool do not have a threat of their own. In Charlie Adam in midfield popping his passes about and looking to get forward, he poses a threat to our midfield today. Up front in Harewood and DJ Campbell they have power and pace for our defenders to contend with so it will be far from plain sailing to begin with today.

There is no question that Chelsea have extra quality in nearly all areas of the pitch today and on paper this is a home banker and three points. We still need to get the job done today and I believe we will.

Carlo Ancelotti has a decision to make as to who takes to the pitch with Newcastle in the Carling Cup on Wednesday and Manchester City away next weekend but I would say that it would more than likely only be 2 or 3 players that differ from midweek.

We could see Ramires come into the side today in place of Yossi Benayoun. Benayoun played in the week and played well in the first half after a shakey start so could be put back on the bench. I believe Drogba and Ashley Cole will also return to the side in place of Sturridge and Zhirkov. It's whether or not Kalou starts today is the biggie for me after he did ok last week at West Ham.

Whoever takes to the field to start the game will need to match Blackpool's enthusiasm and committment from the off. Blackpool may be slightly cautious without the ball and look to get all 11 men behind the ball but expect them to break forward in numbers and look to support Harewood and Campbell up front.

If Chelsea can start well again, knock the ball about there is no question we will open Blackpool up. If we do that and score early, it could be another scoreline they have to suffer like they did away to Arsenal earlier in the season.

Whatever happens today, with United playing Liverpool beforehand and Arsenal dropping points at Sunderland, its a chance for Chelsea to get another maximum three points.

After the game is done and dusted we look forward to a busy week and the big one to shut people up next week at City.

As for Blackpool. After today I wish them well. Twelve months ago they could only dream of facing Chelsea in a Super Sunday 4pm kick off in the Premier League. Ian Holloway has worked wonders and let's be honest we all love him and his press conferences. I really hope this season he gets more of the credit he deserves and he keeps Blackpool in the Premier League.

Back to today, Chelsea to win 4 or 5 and the 100% start to the season keeps going!.

KTBFFH!

TO ALL CHELSEA FANS GOING TO THE GAME

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