By Steven Morrison Last updated: 14th September 2007
Mourinho: Squares off with Hughes
Chelsea play host to Blackburn in Saturday's evening game. The Londoners will be aiming to make up for their loss to Aston Villa last time out, whereas Rovers will look to build on their unbeaten start to the campaign.
Blackburn recorded a 1-0 win over Manchester City in their last game, with Benni McCarthy scoring the only goal. Chelsea on the other hand suffered a surprise defeat away at Aston Villa, losing 2-0.
The last time these two sides met was in their FA Cup semi-final encounter last season, on that occasion Chelsea came out on top. In fact, Chelsea got the better of the Lancashire club four times last season, beating them in all of the domestic competitions.
If Chelsea pick up their fifth straight victory against Blackburn, they will record their 1,500th league win. However Rovers are currently unbeaten in 14 games, a run which stretches back to that semi-final defeat to the Blues.
Preparation for the game has not been ideal for either manager, with the majority of their star players having been dotted around the world this week on international duty. However Chelsea stars Shaun Wright-Phillips, Joe Cole and John Terry will be in a positive mood after leading England to two wins from their two games.
Blackburn will be confident going to Stamford Bridge, after having scored in each of their last 22 games. However Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 65 games at the Bridge and will not give up that record without a fight.
Jose Mourinho will be without striker Didier Drogba for the game. He has failed to recover from the knee problem picked up at Villa Park.
Drogba is replaced in the squad by the returning Andrei Shevchenko who was passed fit after playing for Ukraine during the international break.
Chelsea will also be without Frank Lampard, while long-term injury victims Michael Ballack and Wayne Bridge are still out.
Blackburn's Steven Reid could return to the first team after Mark Hughes declared him 'nearly ready'. The Irishman has been out for over a year with a series of injuries.
Rovers will be without Tugay after he was sent off against Manchester City in their last game, but David Bentley is likely to feature after returning from international duty with England.
| Team | Chelsea | Blackburn Rovers |
| Games Played | 5 | 4 |
| Goal Attempts | ||
| Goals | 7 | 5 |
| Ave Goals per game | 1.40 | 1.25 |
| Shots (excl blocked shots) | 70 | 43 |
| % Shots on Target | 31% | 44% |
| % Goals to Shots | 10% | 12% |
| Passing | ||
| Short Passes | 1,971 | 955 |
| Long Passes | 302 | 225 |
| Overall Pass Completion % | 82% | 69% |
| Crossing | ||
| Total Crosses | 107 | 86 |
| Cross Completion % | 26% | 26% |
| Defending | ||
| Goals Conceded | 6 | 3 |
| Ave goals conceded per game | 1.20 | 0.75 |
| Tackles | 121 | 103 |
| Tackles Won % | 72% | 67% |
| Blocks, Clearances & Interceptions | 288 | 317 |
| Discipline | ||
| Fouls | 74 | 83 |
| Yellow Cards | 13 | 13 |
| Red Cards | 0 | 2 |
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