Blackburn Rovers-Chelsea Preview

Oct 22, 2009 - 1:15 PM NEIL RICHARDS STATS European Football Writer=

LONDON (SE) - Chelsea welcome Blackburn to Stamford Bridge on Saturday with a point to prove to themselves and their critics and knowing that a win will take them back to the top of the Premier League.

Leaders Manchester United do not play until Sunday \2013 at arch rivals Liverpool \2013 and the Blues will be eager to regain the initiative and show last weekend's defeat at Aston Villa was just a blip as they look to win their first domestic title since 2006.

The senior players told each other some home truths in the dressing room after the disastrous defeat at Villa Park and it appeared to work as Carlo Ancelotti's side bounced back in midweek with a 4-0 destruction of Atletico Madrid in the Champions League.

Influential midfielder Frank Lampard \2013 who netted 12 in the league for Chelsea last season \2013 will be one of the main threats to the visitors after scoring against the Spaniards to end a 10-game scoring drought.

"I'm happy for Lampard, for sure," Ancelotti said. "I think that Lampard is not only important scoring goals. He's important because he works for 90 minutes on the pitch for the team.

"He's very generous, an unselfish player, and for me that's important. Yes, if he scores it's better, but I want to speak about Lampard for his work, not just for his goals."

The corresponding fixture last season carried special significance as it fell on the final day of the campaign and marked the last game in charge for temporary manager Guus Hiddink. The popular Dutchman resisted calls from players and supporters to make his stay permanent and returned to his role as coach of the Russia national team. Chelsea gave him a winning send-off with a 2-0 win courtesy of goals from Nicolas Anelka and Florent Malouda.

If current and past form is anything to go by, victory looks a formality for the Blues. Chelsea have won all four of their home games in the Premier League this season, scoring 10 goals, which Blackburn have lost all three on the road, with their leaky defence conceding 11 times.

Added to that Chelsea did the double in this fixture last year and have won the last three against Rovers, who have not found the net against the Londoners in their last six meetings in the league.

But if there is hope for Blackburn, it comes in the shape of rejuvenated midfielder David Dunn, who is showing the kind of form that won him his only England cap back in 2002.

Dunn has four goals in six Premier League outings this season and has netted in his last three, profiting from being handed a more attacking role by manager Sam Allardyce.

"We have found him a position that suits, playing just off the front man and he is playing better than he has for a long time," Allardyce said.

"He is not only our leading scorer but he is providing others the opportunity to get goals. He is doing a terrific job."

Chelsea would do well not to underestimate the threat posed by Dunn, and it is no coincidence he got the winner the last time that Blackburn won at Stamford Bridge in the league, back on February 22, 2003.

Rovers will definitely be without on-loan striker Franco Di Santo for the trip to London because he will not be allowed to play against his parent club.

The Argentinian striker, who scored his first goal for Blackburn against Burnley last Sunday, has made it abundantly clear where his loyalties lie.

He said: "I hope Blackburn win. Now I play for them and want to do my best for them. When I go back to Chelsea, I will want the best for them. Now, Blackburn are paying my wages so I want a Blackburn win.

"I will go to the game because I have a lot of friends at Chelsea and my contract is still with them. I want to go to watch."