Tuesday, St Andrews, 7.45pm, live on ESPN
LIFE without AVB begins for Chelsea with an FA Cup replay at Birmingham.
If Andre Villas-Boas had still been in charge I'd be all over Birmingham but he's gone and former Blues star Roberto di Matteo will be in charge.
Di Matteo was booted by West Brom after a poor run so the jury's out on his ability but surely Chelsea's superstars will rise to the task and show it was the young boss and not themselves who were the problem.
Birmingham's priority is promotion but I'm sure Chris Hughton will go for the win here. However, City have failed to win either of their last two home games against Nottingham Forest and Derby so doubts are creeping in after they stormed up the table.
The Blues are 17-4 with BetVictor and that looks about right if Chelsea players produce the type of performance we know they are capable.
Despite a recent rotten run Chelsea look decent value at 4-5 with Ladbrokes and Paddy Power against the Championship side. The Stamford Bridge men are 2-5 with Ladbrokes and Skybet to qualify.
Frank Lampard was one of the players who suffered under Villas-Boas as he was forced to sit out a few games. He could stick two fingers up at the Portuguese with a goal so take him at 19-10 with BetVictor to net at any time.
Didier Drogba is still a world-class striker, although Fernando Torres might not be, and the Ivory Coast ace is 11-2 at BetVictor to score first.
Recommendations
Chelsea
(4-5, Ladbrokes, Paddy Power)
Lampard to score
(19-10, BetVictor)
In December 2020 we sadly 
