Blackburn vs Chelsea betting preview

Although they'll need Manchester United to falter, particularly in the title race if they are to achieve it, Chelsea have managed to keep the dream of a unique quadruple alive. They will bid to take another step towards what would be a seismic achievement by beating Blackburn in their FA Cup semi-final tie which, ironically, takes place at Man Utd's home ground, Old Trafford. The Chelsea-Man Utd rivalry could manifest into a triple-header this season. With United likely to book their place in the first FA Cup final to be played at the all new Wembley against Watford on Saturday - and both side's a semi away from meeting each other in the Champions League final - there is a real battle for footballing supremacy taking place. This is the second time that the Rovers have reached the semi-final of this competition in the last three years, and the 18th time in the club's history. Mark Hughes, who was the only player to pick up four FA Cup winners' medals in the 20th century, is bound to have his team well prepared for this clash. And his charges have nothing to lose. However, it's hard to ignore the fact that Chelsea have beaten Blackburn on each of the three occasions that they've this season, and it's perhaps even more significant that, in the three matches in question, Blackburn have failed to score against the Blues. With Arjen Robben the only notable absentee, Jose Mourinho has, like Mark Hughes, pretty much a full-strength squad to choose from. Mourinho is a man keen to augment his own personal of achievements and, with speculation rife that the Stamford Bridge hierarchy have been courting Sevilla coach Juande Ramos as a potential replacement, and the self-proclaimed 'special one' linked with the England job and Real Madrid, he'll be keen to see his men lift this trophy, which has alluded him in the last two seasons. As much as, from a value perspective, I'd like to suggest an upset in this tie, the fact remains that Chelsea are so adept at pulling results out of the fire. I expect Mark Hughes' charges to make the Blues work hard, and they may even get to the interval unscathed, but as the game progresses I am confident Chelsea will gradually break the dogged Rovers down. I doubt very much that the south west London-based side will win in a manner commensurate with their general odds of 8/15. Indeed, they are invariably more workmanlike than breathtaking. But they are effective and, at 6/1 (Betfred) and 13/2 (Ladbrokes) respectively, opting for Chelsea to win 1-0 and 2-0 in the correct score betting looks the way to go. Verdict - 1pt Chelsea 1-0 @ 6/1 (Betfred) & 1pt Chelsea 2-0 @ 13/2 (Ladbrokes)