I can honestly say that Chelsea were the one team that really embarrassed us on our travels last season and in the game at Stamford Bridge they really were better value than a 3-0 scoreline. In defence of this however, we were playing with a patched up team and with the new additions to the side I can see us giving a better account of ourselves this season.
The game at Birmingham was a bit tighter although once again Chelsea ran out comfortable winners, Zola's goal minutes before half time really knocking the stuffing out of us.
Mikael Forssell will not be available for the game, as part of the deal when Chelsea loaned him to us was that he not be allowed to play in this fixture. Understandable I suppose - it wouldn't look too good should he score the winner would it? But we do have potential match winners in the side apart from the Finn.
David Dunn has been in great form and Christophe Dugarry is nearing being back to full fitness and those two are capable of match winning performances against any team. Our defence has been one of the meanest in the Premiership so far and I see this helping us to get at least a draw from the game.
If there is a good time to play a team that has cost over £100 million with the incentive to go top of the table with a win it could be now, three days after players have been away on international duty. So, I am tipping a tight game resulting in a score draw. 1-1 for me.
Good luck for the rest of the season - I really do hope Ranieri can grab that title for you - he deserves it after all the criticism he's come in for from his own supporters and my car journeys home after games will be a lot more bearable without having to listen to groaning Chelsea fans on Radio Five - even after they win!"
To find out more about tomorrow's opponents, visit Brian's website at: www.singingtheblues.co.uk