kalou looked offside though but who cares …

1 foot in moscow already..

1 Petr Cech
5 Michael Essien
6 Ricardo Carvalho
26 John Terry (c)
3 Ashley Cole
13 Michael Ballack
4 Claude Makelele
8 Frank Lampard
10 Joe Cole
11 Didier Drogba
21 Salomon Kalou

Subs: 40 Hilario, 35 Juliano Belletti, 33 Alex, 12 John Mikel Obi, 15 Florent Malouda
7 Andriy Shevchenko, 39 Nicolas Anelka.

Liverpool are expected to line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation as follows:

For some reason, I now feel that we will win 2-0.

If something is dangerous in the game of Liverpool, it is plenty of movement and passing, which has to be disrupted by Make’s exceptional anticipation and positional play. Mikel was great against Manchester, when his aerial skills were badly needed, but this game needs Claude – as long as he is be able to deliver.

The cooperation of Lamps and Ballack seems to have worked well in the first game at Anfield, but don’t get confused by the result – Liverpool had the upper hand for most of the 90 minutes and up to the last minute of the game. Even with 5 midfielders we were not able to play our game and the main reason was the slowness of both our creative midfielders. And there comes Essien – fast, agile and able to hold the ball, shoot, pass and defend as well. This is the man Chelsea needs, moreover he is in great form now, as we could see against Manchester.

So, my starting 11 for tonight game:

Cech – Belletti, Carvalho, Terry, A Cole – J Cole, Essien, Make, Lamps, Kalou – Drogba

…and I’ve heard Riise is going to play as well ))

ViVa Chelsea! Come on you blues!

makalele-gerrard. torres-terry. drogba-carrighar lodsa mini battles to look out for.

would you guys like to see lampard? i know he is a strong character but i would not like to start him after the tragedy.Suppose if we loose and lampard have any hand in it it will be even more tough on him. ill keep him on bench and may sub farriera for lampard if we struggle in midfield pushing essien to RB.

even if we score 1 it doesnt effects the tie much so it is utmost important to get 2. i think liverpool will score but wll win 2-1

cheers

Cech

Ferreira
Calvaho
Terry
Ashely Cole

Makalele
Essien
Ballack

Joe Cole
Kalou
Drogba

Subs: Anelka,Alex,Malouda, Hilario and Mikel

Prediction: 2-1

I will have to see a 4-4-2 line up tonight but AG loves 443. Two strikers upfront will surely cause problems for Liverpool back four. Drogba confirm that he will like to be partnered by Anelka as he always more goals in a 442 formation.

The only difference between those times and now is that this second leg is at our Fortress Bridge and i would like to see all the players give it their best. I think the major factor lacking in the previous tie was the absence of Essien, who provides penetration in the central midfield. And I also think that Joe Cole would be more useful this time around, trying his best to use his good form to get us into the CL Finals for the very first time.

If we attack from the beginning like we did against ManUnited, we have a very good chance, but I agree with BC that we must not be complacent and let tht away goal factor get to our heads. All in all, I think it will be a close fight, but I think/hope Chelsea will emerge out victorious.

CECH
BELLETTI-JT(c)-RICCY-ASHLEY
MAKA
ESSI-BALLACK
JOEY-DROGS-SHEVA
(4-1-4-1)

Subs (in 2nd half): If we are winning or a goal-less draw: OBI (JOEY), LAMPS (SHEVA), FERREIRA (BELLETTI) and change to 4-2-3-1. If a score draw or losing: LAMPS (MAKA), KALOU (BELLETTI) & NICO (SHEVA) and change to 3-4-3 or 4-3-3 with Essi at RB.

I’ll bring on Lamps in the 2nd half for his comeback after what he has been through in the last couple of weeks. The subs bench should be: HILARIO, FERREIRA, ALEX, OBI, KALOU & NICO. Although it is controversial, I would play Sheva in the first XI, because Kalou had a poor game on Saturday, Malouda has been indifferent throughout the season and I’m not entirely confident with SWP in a Champions League SF.

Prediction: Chelsea 1-0 Liverpool
(Drogs)

Come on the Chels! Thrash the bloody Red Scousers! We are going to Moscow…See you Man U!