Injury-hit Chelsea hosts Aston Villa looking to continue the momentum picked up from their bruising 1-0 win over Blackburn. First choice keeper Petr Cech strained his side and looks highly unlikely to turn out for the team today in a must-win game to maintain the pressure on Arsenal and Manchester United at the top of the EPL summit.
Hilario, the third choice keeper should take his place as Carlo Cudicini is also ruled out. Hilario has in the past done a decent job of covering for the other keepers but Aston Villa will be pressing hard, after having beaten Chelsea earlier in the season at Villa Park.
Aston Villa will try to capitalise on their speedy forward line, although goals are a rare commodity despite this fine attribute they possess. Martin O'Neil, a British forerunner for the England manager post before Fabio Capello grabbed it by its neck, has forged a team with his signature ruggedness and obstinance, but it resembles his past Leicester teams in terms of goal shy forwards. Jon Carew will look to overpower a Chelsea defence lacking lynchpin John Terry.
Both teams have not exactly been hitting the goal trail of late, but the missing players and after Christmas binges might leave some players out of sync. I fancy the over 2.5 total and it provides some value. Past Boxing Day fixtures have been known to go goal crazy.
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