Can Chelsea find winning form after Champions League debacle in Rome?

Blackburn, England –Chelsea FC suffered a bruising loss in Rome when they travelled to the celebrated capital on match day 4 in Champions League action. AS Roma trounced the Blues 3:1, giving the 2007/08 Champions League runners-up their first loss of this year’s campaign.

AS Roma’s emphatic win came after a series of unconvincing performances by the notorious Italian club; however, on Tuesday, seemingly shrugging off their troubles, they embarrassed Scolari and Co. at Stadio Olimpico and reinvigorated their hopes of reaching the knock out stages in Group A.

Now the question for sports bettors is whether Chelsea FC can shrug the memory of their Roman trouncing in time to take on Blackburn at Ewood Park in Premiership action.

Soccer Betting Line:

Blackburn Rovers +1 +115 +600 2½ O -120 U Ev ½ O -130 U Ev Draw +325

Chelsea FC -1 -135 -225 2½ O -120 U Ev 1½ O -160 U +130 Draw +325

Match Time: 08:30 AM Eastern Time Sunday November 9, 2008

Venue: Ewood Park

Soccer Betting Analysis:

Blackburn Rovers +600 – The Rovers are lounging in 13th place in the Premiership table, level on points with Man City, West Ham United and Stoke City. This will be an important match for the Rovers, as defeat would relegate them to a dangerous zone in the table.

A run of poor results in recent play does not recommend the Rovers in this match. In their last five matches, they lost twice and tied three times. Having failed to win a match in five expecting them to beat top of the table Chelsea FC is a tall order for them, even with home edge.

Chelsea FC -225—Sure, Chelsea FC just lost to an inspired AS Roma, but as the clubs’ stadium –Stadio Olimpico – was selected to host the 2008/09 Champions League final next summer, the incentive was bound to find life on the Italian bench and turn around what had been a lackadaisical campaign up to that point. Not to suggest the loss will sit well with the Blues, but it does put it into perspective as from the start AS Roma was one of the favourites to advance to the knock out round.

Chelsea FC is a world class organization with a quality team. They have character and they will bounce back. One Champions League setback should not undo all they have accomplished up to this point.

Soccer Betting Verdict: Chelsea FC needs the three points if they want to hold on to their place a top the table in Premiership action. They are neck-and-neck with rivals Liverpool FC in points. Though I believe Chelsea FC has bounce-back-ability, they will not have an easy task of it at Blackburn as the Rovers are in a fight to remain out of relegation zone. Chelsea FC might also be slightly exhausted from their trip to Italy and they will be visitors once again in someone else’s stomping ground. Blackburn could enforce the draw if they are so lucky but Chelsea should win this match. I expect a low scoring affair though.

Soccer Free Picks: Chelsea FC -225| Under 2.5 goals Even

Nila Amerova is a freelance sports writer and regular contributor to the BetUS.com Locker Room