Of course there is a 'twelfth man' to take into account. The crowd. Whatever position Portsmouth find themselves in the League, the Pompey faithful certainly do make some noise and get behind their team. The noise is unrelenting right from the first kick down to the last. Whatever the score, they sure know how to make some noise. Chelsea will certainly know that they have been in a game.

It is difficult to predict what team 'The Special One' will field tomorrow. It almost certainly looks like the Gallas won't make it, after picking up a knock in the Villa game, most likely when he collided with King JT in the first half. With Huth out, JM's defensive options look limited and this could mean a fast recall for Carvalho who has been suffering from a broken toe, sustained at Highbury in that pulsating 2-2 draw.

With Parker unavailable for up to three months, Makelele looks set to start, and although JM would like to consider resting Super Frank I doubt if Frank would agree, Super Frank looks like continuing his fantastic unbroken Premiership appearance run. Robben and Duff should start as they both didn't finish the whole game on Boxing Day. It is quite possible that JM may start with Smertin at the expense of Tiago. Rat Boy should get a good response from the home crowd as he did serve them well during his season long spell with the South Coast club. One player who is bound to get some stick still will be Bridge if he starts. This is very likely as Baba is out injured.

I also think that Drogba will get the nod in front of Eidersson who will be keeping the seat warm along with Kezman and others.

Fortunately if Chelsea remain injury free from this game, then the players will have a full three day rest before facing Liverpool on New Year's Day in the lunchtime live TV kick off. Three days doesn't sound a lot, but when you have got to play 4 games in about 10 days, three days is the equivalent of a two week holiday heheheh.

If Chelsea can get the three points, we will be eight points clear of Arsenal who do not play until Wednesday and have to go to Newcastle and whatever you read or hear about the Arsenal not caring about Chelsea's results and only concentrating on their own, then that's a load of rubbish!

Probable Chelsea team:

Cech, Ferreira, Terry, Carvalho, Bridge, Makelele, Duff, Lampard, Smertin, Robben, Drogba

Latest Chelsea News will be available on the message board throughout Tuesday afternoon.