Birmingham (Probable, 4-4-2): Foster; Carr, Dann, Johnson, Ridgewell; Larsson, Gardner, Ferguson, Fahey; Zigic, Jerome.

Chelsea (Probable, 4-3-3): Cech; Bosingwa, Ferreira, Ivanovic, Cole; Ramires, Mikel, Zhirkov; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.

Referee: Mark Halsey.


Tale of the game
Chelsea have lost three games for the first time at this early stage of the season for a decade.

Not since the 2000—1 campaign have Chelsea lost three so early; that season they went on to lose 11 and finished sixth.

After the shock of last Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at home to Sunderland, Chelsea will be grateful that they face a side they have never lost to in the Premier League, in 12 meetings homes and away, and are unbeaten overall in 16 league games.

In that period, going back to 30 years (March 1980) when Birmingham won 5-1 at St Andrew’s, Chelsea have won 11 and drawn five.

In 16 Premier League meetings, unbeaten Chelsea have scored 17 goals and conceded just four, but there have also been four goalless draws.

John Terry missed the defeat by Sunderland with a recurrence of his back problem, and having withdrawn from England’s international against France, the central defender faces a long spell on the sidelines.

And Frank Lampard has had a setback in his attempt to return from a long-term hernia problem and is out for another two weeks.

Alex is also absent, as is Yossi Benayoun, but Nicolas Anelka should have recovered from a back problem.

Birmingham are still without James McFadden and after Saturday’s goalless draw at Manchester City, their fourth Premier League games without a win, Alex McLeish could consider recalling Alexander Hleb and Jean Beausejour.

There are also doubts about Craig Gardner, who has an ankle problem.

Last season: Chelsea 3 Birmingham 0, Birmingham 0 Chelsea 0.

Stat of the game: Chelsea have gone an incredible 165 Premier League games since they lost consecutive games.


Match

My Blues all the way no matter what happened last week

dey deceive urself

Pray we win this time! Didn't like the way last week ended!

We will win this to shame our critics. If other team lose no noise. The colour of football is blueeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

evrybody jst dey wait us to loose God will put them 2 shame

@ post
may the almighty God help birmigham city against the blood money evil forces of satanic blues, thank God their players are still injured, may God grant Chel;sea and their fans the fortitude to bear tomorows loss. Loss of 3 points or loss of two points in a draw if they get lucky to draw. BIRMIGHAM ALL THE WAY!!

^^keep dreaming

Hope chelsea doesn't lose too scandalously tommorow,a slim goal-margin loss to Birmingham is what I wish the blues who should be singing the blues tommorow

C'mon Birmingham, show the lads who the true blues really are . . .

I can't see none of those ''my shyt is blue'' guys here again??

Chelsea sucks, chelsea stinks, more like vomiting after having too much chelsea dry gin, blood money chelsea is doomed, the glory hunters days will soion be over!! They will keep losing points!!

at the end of today, Arsenal FC of england will be toppin the league. Chelski to lose 2-1 to birminham. Watch this space

Chelski 0-1 birm

Thank God alex is back, it is going to be a tough one for the blues but I expect us to take the 3 point . Ramires need to be more effective I know he can do better DD will score today . . . Bir 1 - 2 Chl

dipo2much:

at the end of today, Arsenal FC of england will be toppin the league. Chelski to lose 2-1 to birminham. Watch this space

You must feeling like a genius now. Even if Chelsea lose, Arsenal won't top.
So much for your prediction.

Here we go.

Kalou! put a toe on it. damn it!

DD? which kind silly pass be that?

Drog shoulda scored that.

DD Shoulda scored that. DD one on one is not the best ala Barca in UCL.

Kalou shoulda scored the initial one if he went with his left foot.

haba! dd score that na.

Another huge loss 4 chelsea again
we can do it BM common boys

Somebody should warn Drogba to behave himself

I wonder o!

Ivanovic well done.

Mikel get vision no be small. Brilliant pass.

Drogba should stop trying to pass. He ruined the attack there and just strolled.

FBS:

Mikel get vision no be small. Brilliant pass.

Saw that as well.

what the heck?

Na wa oooo.

mouth sealed