We face the Champions on Wednesday, in the quarter-final of the Carling Cup, with some reasons to be cheerful. Firstly, there is the likely absence through injury of John Terry. It’s been reported that he hasn’t travelled with the rest of the squad, and so it seems that we’ll be facing the same defence that shipped two goals against Everton on Sunday – Hilario, Geremi, Boulahrouz, Carvalho and Cole. That’s a unit to be respected, but not feared.

Secondly, in Martins we have a player whose pace and strength mean that he can get goals against any defence, whatever the limitations of other parts of his game. In Dyer, Emre and Milner we also have players who can also produce the unexpected to turn a game.

Thirdly, I fancy both the team and the crowd will be up for this one. The Carling Cup is our best chance of lifting a trophy, recent results have picked up and we can expect a great atmosphere.

Looking at recent history, we have won 4, drawn 1 and lost 1 of our last 6 home games against Chelsea. I’m not a believer in omens as such, but that will give the players some confidence.

I fancy us to score, and so it becomes a matter of whether our defence and midfield can subdue Chelsea’s attacking threat. It’s been suggested that Chelsea will field a weakened side, but Mourinho didn’t do this in the previous round, and I’m not expecting that to change.

Mourinho has said that Shevchenko will play, although his comments to the press are often designed to deceive rather than enlighten. Whatever, I’m sure that at one stage of the game we will have to face Drogba, a player who has been making mincemeat of centre backs far stronger and more experienced than Taylor and Ramage.

Then there is the athleticism of their midfield, whose relentless energy has won them many points in the final quarter. As Everton found, it is one thing to get this team on the ropes, and another thing to finish them off. The likes of Makelele, Lampard and Essien are great fighters as well as great footballers.

Where we are most vulnerable is in our defenders’ ability to deal with an aerial threat. The absence of Terry at set pieces will be a bonus, but Carvalho, Ballack, Lampard and Drogba are all dangerous. We may have to hope that Given has one of those days when nothing can get past him.

Babayaro is suspended for this game, and Roeder will have a problem in picking his defence. Taylor and Ramage are certain to start. Solano’s fitness is in doubt, so he may be forced to play Huntington on the right, and Duff on the left.

Injury news

There will be late tests on Solano (groin), Emre (ankle) and Duff (knee), although in Duff’s case it is more a matter of his physical fitness than a test of his injury.

Still injured are Harper, Krul, Carr, Bramble, Moore, Ameobi, Owen, N’Zogbia and Bernard.

Babayaro is suspended.

Predicted line–up (4-4-1-1)

Given; Huntington, Taylor, Ramage, Duff; Parker, Butt, Emre, Milner; Dyer; Martins.

I think Roeder will want a strong midfield, with Dyer dropping back to help, as well as link with Martins.

Prediction

2-1 to Chelsea – I can’t see us subduing Drogba. But we’ll put up a fight, and we’ll have our chances.