Chelsea v Birmingham

Didier Drogba looks to be back to his form of last season when he bagged a mammoth 37 goals in all competitions. He is playing like a man with something to prove: namely that he should always be picked ahead of Fernando Torres. At 3/1 with Coral to be first goalscorer against Birmingham on Wednesday night, he would probably back himself.

Perhaps the biggest issue is whether Ancelotti plays the Ivorian from the start. My logical thinking would be yes. The manager was widely criticised for benching Drogba in favour of the mis-firing former Liverpool striker when Chelsea went to Old Trafford for the crucial Champions League second leg last week. Torres looked woeful, got replaced at half-time, before Drogba gave his side hope with an instinctive strike.

The 33-year-old was then handed his start against West Brom at the weekend and was hugely impressive. Drogba proved to be the difference between the sides with an equaliser followed by a shot that was only parried into the path of Kalou for the second Chelsea goal. When asked about Torres’ chances of starting in midweek, the manager said: “it is very difficult to change the team that played so well against West Brom.” With Ancelotti quite possibly needing a strong finish to the season to keep his job, he would do well to take his own advice. If he does, then Drogba is a good bet for first goalscorer at 3/1.