Odds and Sods

Chelsea

Chelsea FC have not traditionally been a great club in England, though the influx of cash from Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich have seen them cement themselves as one of the “Big Four” Premiership clubs.  They have won 3 Domestic titles, including the last two seasons under manager Jose Mourinho.  They have made 5 Champions League appearances, though have never gotten beyond the semi-finals.

This season has been somewhat of a disappointment for the Blues.  They were expected to be overwhelming favorites to win the title for a third straight season, but things have not gone as planned.  Free Agent signings Michael Ballack and Andiry Shevchenko have not even approached the form expected from their lofty expectations.  They have also had to endure the season-long absence of Joe Cole and gruesome injuries to John Terry and Petr Cech.  That said, the season has been a rousing success by most clubs’ standards.  They won the League Cup and are still alive in the FA Cup and have a shot at the Premiership title should Manchester United slip.  The devastating form of striker Dider Drogba has largely kept them afloat through the rough patches.

The Champions League was Chelsea’s major priority coming into the season, as the one thing that Jose Mourinho has failed to accomplish during his tenure.  Their efforts have largely shown that, beating Cup holders Barcelona at Stamford Bridge while fighting their way to a draw away.  They disposed of Porto 3-2 on aggregate, won on a late goal by  Michael Ballack in the 2nd leg.

Valencia

Valencia is a “G-14″ member and is seen by many as the 3rd “giant” of Spanish football, after Real Madrid and Barcelona.  They have won 6 titles in La Liga, the most recent coming in 2004.  They have never won the Champions’ League, though they made back to back appearances in the final in 2000 and 2001.

This season has been decently successful for Valencia.  They currently rest in 4th place (the final Champions’ League spot) in La Primera Liga, 1 pt behind 3rd place Real Madrid.  They have been rather streaky, however, enduring a putrid November where they managed a mere 2 pts from 6 matches, followed by 6 wins in a row in December and January.  Their form has been dictated by striker David Villa, whom many consider to be the best in the world.

Los Ches won group D, drawing Italian juggernaut Inter Milan in the first knockout round.  They drew 2-2, but qualified for the next round with the advantage on away goals.  The victory as marred however by a WWE-style brawl at the end.

Prediction

Many are tipping Valencia to knockoff Chelsea, particularly due to Chelsea’s less than stellar form (needing an injury time goal to beat bottom dweller Watford in their last match) in the Premiership.  However, even when Chelsea play like rubbish they can still grind out a result.  They are getting Joe Cole and others back from injury.  It may be cynical and ugly, but look for Capt. John and the Special One to push the Blues through to the next round.