Hard to see Scolari making too many changes to the team that beat City yesterday. Drogba is unlikely to be fit enough to start we might see Kalou start ahead of Malouda although I have a feeling Malouda may keep his place.

With Terry probably missing against United there is an argument for playing Alex to give him some playing time prior to the United game but I can't see Scolari dropping JT.

Bordeaux have had a pretty unimpressive start to their domestic season and are currently sitting with only 7 points from the opening 5 games. Their main goal threat is Fernando Cavenaghi who had a decent season in 2007/08 and managed to force his way into the Argentinian national side however we really should be far too strong for them, especially at the Bridge (which make me think the idea of playing Alex ahead of JT is one we should seriously consider)

............................Cech..................................

Bosingwa.........JT........Carvalho..............Bridge

...........................Mikel................................

................Lamps...........Deco........................

........Kalou..........Anelka..........J Cole..............

For me.

I don't think we are going to see any wholesale changes this early in the season, as the team is still getting used to Scolari's new system.

Ashley Cole looked like he did his hamstring late in the 2nd half against City, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him sit this one out.

Loz, I somewhat agree with playing Alex, but I don't think you drop your fully-fit captain under any circumstances. If we really want to give Alex some match time, we should drop Carvalho. To be honest, I don't think we should drop either of them, as Bordeux will be no pushovers, and we shouldn't take them lightly.

Obviously the ideal outcome would be for us to have a 2 goal lead midway through the 2nd half so that we can get Drogba (and maybe Ballack) back to full fitness and give a few of the squad players/youngsters a run.

I hope Kalou plays. He played so much last season and grabbed his fair share of goals, he played well in the 2 games he played in pre-season and he hasn't been given a run out since!

saw a report that ballack is back for the euro game. id expect to start with the same team as the city game, with ballack easing back in with 2 minutes or so and drogba getting at least a half.

saw a report that ballack is back for the euro game. id expect to start with the same team as the city game, with ballack easing back in with 2 minutes or so and drogba getting at least a half.

i think he may start with drogba to give anelka a rest

i think he may start with drogba to give anelka a rest

will drogba be available? wont his red card from the final carry over to this years comp?

will drogba be available? wont his red card from the final carry over to this years comp?

Good shout dkw - I had forgotten all about that.

I don't think it does - it's a whole new tournament now, last years has no relevance.

I don't think it does - it's a whole new tournament now, last years has no relevance.

I'd be very surprised if that was the case (could be though) - red cards are carried forward in international tournament s (i.e. a red card in a world cup final would result in missing games after the WC was over) so I would imagine the CL is the same.

Also Scholes is suspended for the red card he got in the Super Cup final.

Looking forward to this match, for various reasons this will be my first game of the season, can't wait to see us in action again.

Com'n you beautiful blues!!!!!

Yay! Just read that the Bordeaux match is live on YLE(Finnish Broadcasting Company).

will drogba be available? wont his red card from the final carry over to this years comp?

i forgot about that to

but according to the beeb he's available http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7614127.stm

so hopefully he;ll get a bit more time to boost his match fitness ready for the mancs at the weeked

It wouldn't be the first time that the Beeb has got these things wrong, so I wouldn't get my hopes up based just on that.

Bordeaux have had a pretty unimpressive start to their domestic season and are currently sitting with only 7 points from the opening 5 games. Their main goal threat is Fernando Cavenaghi who had a decent season in 2007/08 and managed to force his way into the Argentinian national side however we really should be far too strong for them, especially at the Bridge (which make me think the idea of playing Alex ahead of JT is one we should seriously consider)

Chamak's a decent striker too. Also the midfielder they signed from AC Milan looks a good player in midfield.

However, as you say, Bordeaux haven't got off to the best of start's and were very fortunate to get a draw at home to Marseille yesterday, so we shouldn't have too many problems...

Any Indian here knowing whether this fixture is live or not?

Ten Sports is certainly not showing it (they've chosen Marseille vs Liverpool), and the Zee Sports website is screwed.

As said, our first games were not that good, mainly due to defense problems. Cuz our midfield and attack are quite ok, despite the fact that some new players haven't really played their best so far. Anyway, as our defence was one of our main asset last year, I've good hope that the problems will be solved soon, mainly cuz its the same players playing except one (Placente), maybe not against Chelsea, but quick after.

Anyway, as all our players (except one: Jussiê, but he's not a starter) are available and will be probably very motivated playing against Chelsea, should be possible to have a result against you, even in London.

For those who would like to see the goals of our last game of championship, against Marseille (which plays against Liverpool tomorrow): Bordeaux - Marseille

You will be able to appreciate our strikers-friendly defense, but also our pretty nice goal. We're not that bad.

Edited September 15, 200816 yr by Louison

As said, our first games were not that good, mainly due to defense problems. Cuz our midfield and attack are quite ok, despite the fact that some new players haven't really played their best so far. Anyway, as our defence was one of our main asset last year, I've good hope that the problems will be solved soon, mainly cuz its the same players playing except one (Placente), maybe not against Chelsea, but quick after.

Anyway, as all our players (except one: Jussiê, but he's not a starter) are available and will be probably very motivated playing against Chelsea, should be possible to have a result against you, even in London.

For those who would like to see the goals of our last game of championship, against Marseille (which plays against Liverpool tomorrow): Bordeaux - Marseille

You will be able to appreciate our strikers-friendly defense, but also our pretty nice goal. We're not that bad. :lol:

Do you have the same goalie playing against us as in that video? If yes, I feel confident :lol: . Good goals though.

---------Cech----------

Jose-Riccy-Terry-Cole

---------Mikel----------

--Ballack-----Lampard

----------Deco----------

------------Malouda----

-----Anelka-------------

I dont think there will be surprises in the lineup. Malouda will start as he will be comfortable playing against familiar club and players. Drogs will come from the bench if Anelka fails to deliver.

Ballack is only 50% fit apparently, so don't expect him to start. Since we're at home to a team with shaky defense, I expect Scolari to take the initiative and send out:

...................Cech

Jose Carvalho JT Ashley

..................Mikel

.........Lampard....Deco

Joey........................Kalouda (one or the other basically, but I feel that Malouda will start)

................Anelka

IF things are going well, then two of Deco, Joey and/or Anelka will be brought of starting around minute 65 to make way for Ballack and/or Drogba.

If things are not going well, then Kalou gets introduced for one of the wingers. Don't expect Di Santo to feature at all.

Edited September 16, 200816 yr by Oblivion

Chelsea v Bordeaux

Chelsea boss Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that Michael Ballack will play some part in the clash with Bordeaux after recovering from a foot injury. Striker Didier Drogba played 20 minutes in the 3-1 win over Manchester City on Saturday but will have to wait for his full comeback as he is suspended due to his red card in last year's final.

Bordeaux have doubts over the fitness of Brazilian defender Henrique, who has a bruised thigh, while Mathieu Chalme and Benoit Tremoulinas are suspended.

How good is the stream usually on justin.tv?

I have to work today, and I'm trying to decide if I watch the game on my laptop, or make up an excuse to go to the bar for two hours.

Help!

-matt

I've used it just once and the first time the justin.tv stream was alright, but the second time the video was pretty choppy. Audio has been pretty decent both times. English commentary and all.

How good is the stream usually on justin.tv?

I have to work today, and I'm trying to decide if I watch the game on my laptop, or make up an excuse to go to the bar for two hours.

Help!

-matt

Spectacularly unreliable, MHedges.

IF they load at all, which is doubtful, sound is often missing or barely distinguishable, picture quality is bad, and the streams tend to break very often. I say use it as a last resort.

Your best bet is, provided you can't download any of the p2p programs (like Sopcast, TVU, TV Ants, etc) is to watch it on one of the betting websites. many of them stream games with decent quality and English commentary. Try myp2p.eu for details.

Do you have the same goalie playing against us as in that video? If yes, I feel confident :) . Good goals though.

Yeah of course, its Ulrich Ramé, one of the best french goalkeeper of the past decade, although he's getting a bit old now. Use to be in the French national team couples of times.

Spectacularly unreliable, MHedges.

IF they load at all, which is doubtful, sound is often missing or barely distinguishable, picture quality is bad, and the streams tend to break very often. I say use it as a last resort.

Your best bet is, provided you can't download any of the p2p programs (like Sopcast, TVU, TV Ants, etc) is to watch it on one of the betting websites. many of them stream games with decent quality and English commentary. Try myp2p.eu for details.

Ahhh yes....I am VERY familiar with the p2p programs to watch Chelsea. Before I got Setanta and FSC at my house (which play ALL the Chelsea games) I had to rely on using them. I'll get Sopcast again. If I remember right, ESPN Philippines uses English commentary...Thanks Virosh!

oh look, were shunted to itv 4 as usual, while the best fans in the world can watch their muck on itv. this happened pretty much every game last seaon and it looks like itv are gonna do it again. havent bbc got it next year? we`ll be on cbeebies if they get their way.... w**kers :)