Fratton Park Date: March 3, Kick-off: 9.45 pm Bulgarian time


Chelsea will travel to Fratton Park taking on Portsmouth, more importantly, a win would maintain Chelsea on top of Liverpool in the league. Currently both Chelsea and Liverpool share the same amount of points, 55 apiece, but Chelsea enjoy an eight goal superior goal difference than the Reds.

Portsmouth have had a decent time to rest and recharge their batteries, returning from a lengthly 10-day break, their last game being the draw against Stoke City. Pompey will be without midfielder Richard Hughes, who has resumed training, but will not be left on the sidelines against Chelsea.

Chelsea meanwhile will play without  Ricardo Carvalho who sustained a hamstring injury and is not back to full fitness. Further worries for Hiddink are Portugal midfielder Deco who is also doubtful because of a hamstring injury while Michael Essien is on the verge  of full fitness after a long-term injury.

Chelsea's away record of 29 points from the 39 on offer is now the second best in the Premier League behind that of Aston Villa, who have managed to accumulate 30 points. Villa are the only home side the Blues have beaten in five games, but that win ended a ten-year Villa Park jinx.


Portsmouth caretaker manager Paul Hart said for the club's official website:

"Chelsea are very good. They have some world class players and we have to guard against that. But it is not like we are going to go out there and start putting up the shutters. When we can play we will play".


Portsmouth (available): James, Johnson, Distin, Campbell, Hreidarsson, Pennant, Davis, Basinas, Kranjcar, Nugent, Crouch, Begovic, Belhadj, A Traore, Pamarot, Mvuemba, Gekas, Kanu, Little, Thomas.

Chelsea (available): Cech, Mancienne, Alex, Terry, A Cole, Ballack, Mikel, Lampard, Kalou, Anelka, Drogba, Hilario, Quaresma, Ivanovic, Di Santo, Malouda, Ferreira, Belletti.