This is the year for Chelsea

They have suffered heartbreak in the Champions League, but this is the year is will all go right for Chelsea.

From Barca's last minute semi-final winner in 2009, John Terry's penalty miss in 2008 or Louis Garcia's "phantom goal" in 2005, Chelsea have not had the rub of the green when it comes to the crunch in the Champions League.

Russian owner Roman Abramovich is determined to turn his side into European Champions and after so many setbacks he turned to Carlo Ancelotti to do just that.
Ancelotti is vastly experienced – he took charge of his 100th Champions League game last week – and he knows how to turn a side in Europe's best.

Last year he managed to mould the Blues into a free flowing attacking outfit that romped to the Premier League title.

They sit top of the league yet again but Ancelotti must know the focus of attention will be on Europe this season and the Champions League best odds suggest they have every chance of claiming glory.

They have begun well in their group with three wins from three. The midweek win over Spartak Moscow on a freezing plastic pitch in Russia, and in the same Stadium where they suffered final heartbreak in 2008, was a sign of a side showing increasing maturity in the competition.

They have the players, they have the manager and I think crucially, they have the belief, anyone looking to bet on Champions League winner should remember this.

For that reason I think they will banish their Champions League hoodoo and lift Europe's biggest prize.