Luke Donald:

It is hard to look past the former world No.1 who has won the last two PGA Championships here at the redesigned Wentworth West Course. Few have taken to the new course like Donald and even though he is available at odds of around 8/1 he will be the man to beat.

Branden Grace:

Semi-finalist at the Volvo Matchplay Championships last week in Bulgaria, Grace is no stranger to success at this course having come 5^th last year. The South African is in the World top 30 now on the back of four wins last year. At odds of around 50/1 he is certainly one to consider.

David Horsey:

Horsey has finished in the top 6 in his last three tournaments on the European Tour and has prior experience here having come 7^th two years ago. A pretty straight driver of the ball Horsey could well be in contention if he keeps his game together. 66/1 still available with Paddy Power

David Lynn:

Currently the best putter on the European Tour in 2013 from the four rounds he has played, Lynn returns from the US full of confidence having made the play off at the well contested Wells Fargo. He has another top 10 to his name this season and last year finished in the top 10 for putts per round so he could be a good price at 66/1 with Paddy Power.

The biggest shock, perhaps the catalyst, came two weeks ago when Sir Alex Ferguson announced his retirement from football.

For many the only things certain in life were death, taxes and Sir Alex Ferguson being at United.

The eulogies have been written and Fergie’s replacement was swiftly installed in the shape of fellow Scot David Moyes.

Since this announcement, a coaching carrousel has cascaded around European football at breakneck speed.

Now twitter and the back pages of the English press are playing out like an episode of Hollyoaks:

Ancelotti’s been flirting with Real Madrid now Mourinho’s out the picture, and Jose wants nothing more than to return to his previous love in West London, despite the warnings that an old flame needs to be extinguished.

Does this mean Chelsea’s veritable vixen Rafa Benitez might be hooking up with a romantic engagement in Paris once Ancelotti makes the move to Madrid?

What about Sheikh Mansour kicking out Italian Stallion Roberto Mancini? Mancini’s already left the City fans a love note in the local press, but does a tax-haven in the principality of Monaco await him?

Man City has found a Spanish suitor in the shape of Manuel Pellegrini who looks odds-on to Tango with the Toures’ & Co in pursuit of reclaiming the title that Mancini originally captured.

Since Moyes’ absence, Everton have been eyeing up another Roberto – Martinez (those sizzling Spaniards), but I’ve heard a rumour Bill Kenwright likes to drink with Harry Redknapp the dirty dog…

Elsewhere, haggard old Tony Pulis has been usurped as Stoke manager, meaning a trip back to grass-roots football, of the very literal kind, could be gracing the Britannia next term.

Over in Germany we even have the return of European football’s sweetheart Pep Guardiola to contend with after cutting short his Carrie Bradshaw-esc Sex in the City lifestyle in New York for Bayern & the Bundesliga.

Aannddd I’ll stop there.

Whichever way you look at it, the next few weeks is set to be the biggest managerial upheaval fans have seen.

Arsene Wenger now stands alone as the longest serving manager in the Premier League at 16 ½ years.

Alan Pardew will become the second longest-serving manager at a Premier League club – a mere two and a half years after taking charge.

This is a mark of how the business of football has evolved, whether this evolution is for better or worse is a matter of contention.

Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsene Wenger, David Moyes and Tony Pulis managed to bring their clubs a long way and achieve success during their lengthy premierships.

Yet the revolving doors and pots of cash at Chelsea and Man City have displayed how stability in the managerial department is not a prerequisite for success.

When Arsene Wenger eventually stands down we may find English football in a miraculous state of affairs, a league where no manager has served their club longer than 3 years.

However, there’s a new Scot in Manchester who will want to alter that statistic.

The 2013 NBA Conference Playoff Finals are now underway and tonight brings the second match up between San Antonio Spurs and the Memphis Grizzlies in the Western Conference.

The Spurs had a surprisingly easy time against the NBA’s best defense in Game 1, shooting 53 percent and making a franchise postseason-record 14 3-pointers on just 29 attempts.

It took Memphis too long to settle during their first conference finals appearance, and San Antonio was up 17 by the end of the first quarter before extending that lead to 20 in the second quarter.

It was surprising to see San Antonio move so easily against a Memphis team known for its tight defense. Parker went wherever he wanted and had 20 points and nine assists.

The key for the Spurs was the strength of their team and the ability to convert from a number of sources.

Conversely, Zach Randolph’s inability to score for the Grizzlies in the first 39½ minutes of the game was the elephant in the room, or rather the Grizzly, the reliance Memphis place of Randolph showed.

The All-Star power forward and his Memphis Grizzlies are hardly down and out. In both rounds of the playoffs so far, Memphis has lost Game 1 before rallying back to knock out the Los Angeles Clippers and then the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This time, Randolph had the worst playoff game of his career; managing two points in what ended a resounding 105-83 defeat. His only lower-scoring game in 40 playoff appearances was when he played 1 minute as a rookie for Portland in a 2002 game.

In contrast the Spurs have become so interchangeable on the court, making them better equipped to survive off-games by their stars than any other team.

They closed out the Golden State Warriors when Tony Parker shot three for 16 and Sunday night was another example of this, putting up 105 points on the Grizzlies even though Duncan and Ginobili provided only 13 percent of the scoring.

The Grizzlies were able to turn away Kevin Durant when he tried to beat them single-handedly without his injured sidekick Russell Westbrook, but it left them ill-prepared for the Spurs.

Game 2 provides a clean slate to try again, and Memphis hasn’t had two consecutive poor games this postseason.

The Spurs will remain cautious not to take too much credit for what went right in the first matchup, but it will undoubtedly fill them with confidence as they welcome to Grizzlies.

The Grizzlies will be looking for a strong performance to level the series, but the Spurs appear to have too much depth in their roster, so we’re backing San Antonio to take a 2-0 lead in the series tonight at -220.

Looking back there have been some classic encounters: Man City 2 v 3 Man Utd, Tottenham 2 v 4 Chelsea and Arsenal 5 v 2 Tottenham all stand out.

But with United effectively having the titled wrapped up since February and QPR and Reading a long time relegated, the race for fourth has been exaggerated to fill a final day dramatic void.

Nonetheless, 2013 is set to be one of the quietest sporting summers we’ve had for years, so in an attempt make the most of the Premier League’s final day action, a speculative accumulator is a must.

Chelsea v Everton

Chelsea have secured a Champions League place for next season but will want to secure 3^rd in front of their home fans in order for this season to go down in the record books as a relative success.

They’ll be carrying some fatigue following their Europa League victory in Amsterdam on Wednesday night, but Benitez is set to freshen up the side with the inclusion of Demba Ba and Victor Moses who missed out in the week.

David Moyes will take charge of Everton for the last time and the players will aim to give him a send off worthy of his eleven year reign at Goodison. Moyes will carry the unwanted statistic of never defeating a top 4 side away from home if he fails to win at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and judging by Everton’s 2-0 home performance against West Ham last weekend, the players are determined to send him out in a high.

In what will also be Rafa Benitez’s last game in charge at the Bridge, we predict a close encounter ending in a Draw. An Arsenal v Chelsea playoff could well be on the horizon.

Liverpool v QPR

Liverpool haven’t lost in their last seven and the emergence of Philippe Coutinho and Daniel Sturridge in recent weeks has made the absence of Luis Suarez go unnoticed.

Sturridge’s hattrick against Fulham last week took him to 10 goals in his first 13 Premier League games, the most prolific start of any Liverpool striker.

QPR have looked completely disinterested since their relegation was confirmed and the side will need a complete restructure before the start of next year’s Championship.

Brendan Rodger’s side should be able to secure a comfortable victory in front of the Kop, with Sturridge First Goalscorer likely to be heavily backed.

Man City v Norwich

Man City managed a successful start to life post-Mancini with a 2-0 away victory over Reading mid-week. The players will be bitterly disappointed after their cup final defeat to Wigan a week ago, but they couldn’t ask for two nicer fixtures than Reading and Norwich to put an unpleasant season behind them.

Man City memorably thumped the Canaries 6-1 at Carrow road last season thanks to some sublime interplay from Sergio Augero and Carlos Tevez, Tevez securing a hattrick.

Norwich have confirmed their place in the Premier League next season, so we’re expecting City to bow out in style in front of their fans with a Home Win.

Newcastle v Arsenal

The big story today is all about Arsenal and Spurs fighting it out for that final Champions League place. Parallels with Lasagne-gate have been drawn, but both sides appear to have arrived fit and healthy for their decisive ties.

Arsenal remain in the driving seat, knowing a win will secure them fourth irrespective of Spurs result. The Gunners have been playing catch up in terms of fixtures, but they dispatched Wigan in a storming second half spell on Tuesday.

Now that Newcastle’s place in the next season’s Premier League is secured, the Magpies have little to play for. However, the Geordies will want to win their final home game to credit their fans after what’s been a difficult season.

Earlier in the season Arsenal ran out 7-3 winners against Newcastle, the game should be a lot tighter today but Arsenal have the impetuous and the desire for Champions League football, which should see them secure victory.

Tottenham v Sunderland

The other side to the race for fourth sees Spurs host Sunderland, the second of two battles between North London and the North East concerning opposite ends of the table.

After a small blip in March, AVB’s side have sustained their challenge for fourth in recent weeks, grinding out results against Stoke and Southampton.

Yet their draw away at fellow contenders Chelsea may prove to cost them, a result that took their Champions League fate out of their own hands.

Like Newcastle, Sunderland can now rest assured of their Premier League status next season following Wigan’s relegation.

Paolo Di Canio will still insist 100% effort from his players, but White Hart Lane has become a bit of a fortress for Spurs this season and we fully expect them to get the win they need. However, this win will likely prove not enough – Champions League heartbreak may come back to haunt Tottenham for the second consecutive season.

The 2012/13 season has seen Chelsea skulking from scandal to scandal like a tabloid celebrity.

There hasn’t been a stable managerial reign at the club since Ancelotti’s departure in 2011.

Paradoxically, success has been almost constant.

Roberto Di Matteo secured the clubs first Champions League victory, which still led to his hasty sacking, and the fans following disapproval of Rafa Benitez has been equally farcical.

Chelsea has lacked an identity and definitive style of play that would suggest the club are building towards a sustainable model for success.

Yet the fans now find themselves in that strange position once more, closing out the season with relative success, the gleam of silverware glossing over the cracks at the heart of the club.

Champions League football has been secured at the Bridge next season, a win over Everton on Sunday will see them 11 points and three positions better off than last season.

Capturing the Europa League will create yet more history at the club, a history that’s doubled in worth over the last 10 years.

If this legacy is ever going to be respected, a move away from race rows and false accusations and move towards a progressive vision for the club is paramount.

The Sides

Both Benfica and Chelsea have endured similar European seasons, failing to get out of Champions League groups that, although difficult, they were expected to negotiate, before impressing in the continent’s second-tier competition.

Benfica suffered a heartbreaking stoppage time defeat to Porto on Saturday night which effectively handed the title to their great Portuguese rivals, a feat they won’t want to repeat twice in a week.

Jorge Jesus cuts an animated figure on the touchline and his side plays with a similar flair and pace, visible when the Eagles eliminated Newcastle at the Quarter-final stage.

Upfront Benfica have been overly reliant on Paraguayan powerhouse Oscar Cardozo for goals and he will relish a physical challenge up again Branislav Ivanovic.

One of Benfica’s key players this season was labelled as surplus to requirements during his time at Chelsea, Nemanja Matic has been their main playmaker this season, clocking up an impressive 532 passes in Europe and earning himself the nickname ‘the spider’.

Centre-back Garay has been an important cog in their counter-attacking style releasing the ball quickly from the back, while Gaitan, Pablo Aimar and Lima are players of Champions League quality.

Chelsea beat Benfica home and away en route to the Champions League final last year.

A 0-1 win at the Stadium of Light with Torres crossing for Saloman Kalou and then a 2-1 victory at home courtesy of a thunderous last minute Raul Meireles strike was enough to set up a semi-final showdown with Barcelona.

However, the tie was a lot more uncomfortable than the scoreline suggests, with Benfica coming close on a number of occasions at Stamford Bridge.

For all Chelsea’s woes this season, since Benitez’s arrival he’s demonstrated his tactical acumen on the European stage, some form of compensation for his reported lack of man-management skills.

He’ll need to call upon all his tactical nous this evening as Chelsea will be without Eden Hazard who’s been in formidable form during the last third of the season.

John Terry will also miss out because of injury – not that he was guaranteed a place in the starting line up. Twitter will likely be awash with more Terry memes if Chelsea clinch the trophy tonight and he joins in the celebrations.

As a result, David Luiz may have to drop back to centre back against his old side, a potential blow as he’s dictated the tempo of play in the majority of European matches he’s started in midfield this season.

Frank Lampard is set to captain the side in another European final after breaking Bobby Tambling’s goalscoring record at the weekend and Fernando Torres will start upfront looking to add to his 8 goals in Europe.

However, Torres’ 16.7 chances to goals conversion rate reveals the truth behind another stop start season for the Spanish striker (Cardozo musters a 27.8 conversion rate for his 8 goals).

Betting

In the 14 European matches both sides have played, Chelsea had a superior possession ratio, greater accuracy of distribution and more shots on goal.

Benitez’s side are missing some key players but will start as slight favourites on the back of some impressive battling performances in the Premier League of late.

Benfica will be eager to redeem their loss to Porto at the weekend and break their 50 year wait for a European title. They have the quality to push Chelsea all the way and the betting reflects this should be a close final.

Juan Mata has been ubiquitous in everything good Chelsea have produced this season and we’re backing him to be First Goalscorer at 10.5.

As the two now go toe to toe in this penultimate fixture, the result will either lead to Champions League glory for the Gunners and Championship despair for the Latics, or pave the way for Wigan’s miraculous Premier League survival, sending Arsenal to the Europa League.

For both, a draw is just not good enough.

Arsenal have been left to play catch up having watched both Tottenham and Chelsea come from behind to pick up valuable 2-1 away victories this weekend, demoting them to fifth.

Wigan will travel to the Emirates buoyed by their FA Cup win over Man City on Saturday, the biggest upset since the Crazy Gang pipped Liverpool in 1988.

The Gunners have had a 10 day break since Walcott stunned QPR in 20 seconds before playing out an edgy 1-0 victory.

Martinez was determined that his players would only celebrate with Irn-Bru following their cup final victory, but the emotion and physical drain of playing 90 minutes at Wembley is almost inevitable.

However, considering the similarities between both sides frantic attempts to achieve in the league, I’m sure Arsenal fans would rather be suffering Wigan’s problem of recovering in time for tonight’s match after a cup final win, instead of taking ten days off.

Looking at the teams it appears Jack Wilshere will only be risked tonight if necessary after it was announced he needs a pin removing from his ankle at the end of the season.

Tomas Rosicky looks set to continue in midfield with Ramsey and Arteta, the only other possible change being Gibbs for Monreal at left back. Lukasz Fabianski is fit again but Szczesny remains likely to continue in goal.

Arsenal appears short on goals of late with Lukas Podolski struggling right up until his 60min substitution slot. A mix of Walcott, Gervinho and Oxlade-Chamberlain in a front three may prove more effective as Latics legs begin to tire.

Wigan will view tonight as their second cup final in 3 days. Only a win will do if they’re going to bridge the +11 goal difference and 4 point gap between them and Sunderland in seventeenth.

They had success on the flanks against City at the weekend, particular on their right where Callum McManaman’s trickery and tenacity saw him win an individual duel with ex-Arsenal left back Gael Clichy.

McManaman will look to exploit either Gibbs or Monreal in a similar fashion tonight on the back of his well deserved call up to the England under 21 side.

Betting

Many Gooners will feel that if their side aren’t capable of beating Wigan at home and a struggling Newcastle side away, then they don’t deserve Champions League football.

For all the talk of Wigan storming towards an end of season comeback, they’ve let themselves down with defeats against mid-table amblers West Ham and Swansea in recent weeks.

Wigan’s cup final win is momentous for the club, but is likely to hinder their small squad who won’t be used to playing a number of games in succession.

This Arsenal side are far from vintage, but they should have enough to secure a 3-1 victory and take the race for fourth to the final day of the season.

The first semi-final between Leicester and Watford was looking like a clichéd game of two halves, but that was before David Nugent climbed to head home his first goal in 17 games and give the Foxes a slender 1-0 advantage going in to the second leg.

Tonight brings an unorthodox rivalry. Palace and Brighton are situated 44 miles apart, but until Crawley’s appearance in the Football League, Palace were Brighton’s closest rivals.

Their rivalry stretches back to the 1970s when the clubs met in a fiery FA Cup first round replay, ex-Tottenham teammates Terry Venables and Alan Mullery patrolling the opposite dugouts on that day.

While play-off history suggests this 1st leg could be a nip and tuck encounter, league meetings between these two suggests it might be a ‘tie of two games’ – rather than a game of two halves.

Brighton

Brighton finished fourth in the Championship table, three points ahead of fifth-placed Palace.

They managed to end the regular season on a longer unbeaten run than any other club in the Championship, totalling nine matches, winning five (including the last three) and drawing four.

This rich vein of form should have the Seagulls brimming with confidence and their 3-0 home victory over Palace two months ago will only bolster that feeling.

Leonardo Ulloa ought to earn the nickname, Brace Ventura: Net Detective tonight if he can smash another double past Palace as he did in March.

Despite all the excitement of the playoffs, Seagulls manager Gus Poyet has urged his players to prepare for the first leg as normal, and judging by their current form you can see why.

Strikers Craig Mackail-Smith (Achilles) and Will Hoskins (knee) remain long-term absentees but the Seagulls will welcome back Wayne Bridge and Ingo Calderon to sure up the defence.

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace finished the Championship season with one win in 10 league games.

But Palace ended that barren run of nine games without victory on the last day of the league season by beating, and relegating, Peterborough with a 3-2 comeback victory.

Boss Ian Holloway believes his players are over their stuttering finish and that their final day comeback could mark the recovery of their season.  His marmite persona would be another lively addition to next year’s Premier League.

The Eagles were the highest home scorers in the Football League with 52 goals from 23 games, thanks in large to striker Glenn Murray who remains the league’s most prolific marksman after scoring a penalty against Posh to finish the regular season on 29 goals.

However, this was his first in 9, perhaps highlighting Palace’s reliance on his goals as well as the creativity of Manchester United-bound Wilfried Zaha.

If these twocan replicate their form from earlier in the campaign then they could prove deadly against the Seagulls.

Betting

Both league meetings this season were won 3-0 by the club playing at home.

This equivalent fixture saw Palace scoring two penalties, a double from Glenn Murray against his former club, and a red card for Brighton, who had Lewis Dunk sent off after only eight minutes.

Taking in to account current form as well as quality over the season, we think Place might just sneak the 1^st leg 2-1, although Brighton look favourites to make it to Wembley.

Last year’s winners West Ham and before them Swansea have both gone on to establish themselves in the Premier League, Swansea’s dramatic rise culminating in their League cup victory this year.

In the first of this year’s play-off semi-finals, Leicester host Watford in a tale of two contrasting town/cities.

Watford

The Hornets dropped down in to third place after looking like odds-on favourite to automatically go up in second.

A dramatic final day saw Gianfanco Zola’s side lose at home to Leeds United 1-2, whilst a draw for their league rivals Hull City was enough to see them finish behind Cardiff City.

In the most tragic circumstances, Leeds exploited Watford on the break in the 90^th minute with the scores tied at 1-1 and Ross McCormack’s tame chip from 25 yards out somehow slipped through the fingers of the teenage debutant keeper, Jack Bonham, and slithered agonisingly over the line to condemn Watford to the play-offs.

Manager Gianfanco Zola was quick to stress that they will win as a team and lose as a team, but they will be hoping for the return of Manuel Almunia or Jonathan Bond tonight who both face late fitness checks.

Watford beat Nigel Pearson’s Leicester in the penultimate game of the season on this ground and that result may give the away side some added confidence going into this game, especially if Nathan Chalobah can produce another stunning 35-yard effort.

Striker Troy Deeney is suspended following his red card against Leeds so Matej Vydra will probably be recalled in attack and despite his title as Championship player of the year, the Udinese loan-star needs to fire his way back in to form at this vital point in the season.

Leicester

Anthony Knockaert scored an injury-time goal as Leicester City booked their spot in the Championship play-offs with an incredible win at Nottingham Forest.

Leicester had started the weekend in 8^th position, but after beating Forest who we directly above them and with Bolton’s failure to beat Blackpool they managed to scoop the 6^th and final play-off spot on goal difference.

Leicester Striker Matt Wood has equalled Matej Vydra’s twenty goals for Watford this season and will need to be firing on all cylinders if the foxes are to improve their recent form of just two wins in the last eight, an anomaly for the team sneaking the final playoff spot  who you would expect to have some momentum.

Ritchie De Laet and Paul Konchesky are both expected to be fit this evening following their absence at the weekend.

Foxes boss Nigel Pearson have also confirmed that agreements are in place to allow loan players Michael Keane and Harry Kane to play in the play-offs. Centre-half Keane has been borrowed from Manchester United and Kane from Tottenham.

Betting

For all the momentum Leicester might have from their last minute win at the weekend, and however distraught Watford might be about missing out on automatic promotion, quality in league position tends to shine through.

Five of the last seven teams to finish in third position in the table have been promoted via the play-offs – a run that was started by Watford themselves in 2006.

Watford have already snatched a 2-1 away win in this fixture two weeks ago, but we expect it to be tighter this evening – back 1-1 at 11/2.

However, as Nick Hornby eloquently put in Fever Pitch, unlike life, football comes round again and again. There’s always another season. You lose the Cup final in May, well there’s the third round to look forward to in January. And so the show must go on as there’s a race for the Champions League to be decided.

Chelsea v Tottenham

The plot lines run deep in what will be a season defining fixture for these London rivals at Stamford Bridge tonight. Chelsea currently sit in third, three points above fifth place Tottenham, both with three games to play.

Arsenal are sandwiched in between, one point behind Chelsea. Their fans will find themselves in the strange position of cheering on Chelsea tonight, as a Chelsea victory will mean Arsenal require only 4 points from two games to secure fourth ahead of Spurs.

With the battle lines drawn in terms of Champions League qualification, the personal duels between these clubs add even more spice to the occasion.

Andre Villas Boas will return to the Stamford Bridge for the first time since his sacking last March, and following his side’s 4-2 defeat earlier in the season against Chelsea he’ll be looking to strike revenge upon his former employers at a time that will hurt them the most.

Spurs fans will be placing a great deal of their Champions League hopes in POTY Gareth Bale as he’s scored 13 Premier League goals away from home this season along with 11 in his last 11 top-flight appearances.

But if Spurs’ current run of form at Stamford Bridge is anything to go by they’ll need more than just Bale’s brilliance to catapult them to success.

Tottenham last claimed victory at Stamford Bridge in 1990 with Gary Lineker securing the winning goal.

Following a vital victory at Old Trafford on Sunday and progression to the Europa League final the previous Thursday, Chelsea have the opportunity to salvage a season shrouded in controversy in the next two weeks.

Victory over Tottenham will effectively secure Champions League football and with the imminent return of the special one to Stamford Bridge, they will finally have the managerial stability and blueprint for success that should see them challenge a Fergi-less United, amongst others, for the Premier League title next season.

A Spurs win will drastically improve their chances of holding on to Gareth Bale next season, vital as they wouldn’t be in this position without his goals and assists.

This remains one of the toughest games of the season to call in what could potentially be one of the most dramatic.

It’s unlikely to be as free scoring as these sides encounter earlier in the season and looking back to previous fixtures of this kind such Man City v Spurs in 2011, it took a Crouch own goal to break the deadlock and settle the game 1-0.

Therefore we’re backing under 1.5 goals at 4.7, who will score that goal remains to be seen!

Chelsea started the season with seven trophies to play for following their European and FA cup double, but Chelsea’s season has been shrouded in turmoil following various on and off field mishaps.

A competition that didn’t count amongst the original seven, winning the Europa League can be seen as form of redemption as the club, players and (an unwanted) manager look to move forward in what’s been an uncomfortable season of transition.

Tonight Chelsea take a 2-1 lead back to the Bridge after Basel failed to offer the kind of threat during the first leg that saw them dispose of Tottenham in the previous round.

Basel thought they had salvaged a draw after they were awarded a dubious 87^th minute penalty, Azpilicueta being punished for a well executed clearing tackle.

But David Luiz stepped up in the 94^th minute to fire home a now trademark freekick in to the bottom right corner to leave Chelsea in pole position for the second leg.

One of the success stories under Rafa Benitez at Chelsea has been David Luiz’s conversion to a defensive midfield role that allows him the freedom to roam forward and it’ll be interesting to see whether Benitez persists with him in that role as he has during the last two outings.

With Chelsea continuing to juggle their Europa League campaign with the battle for fourth, squad rotation will come in to affect once again, Ashley Cole and Demba Ba certain to miss out due to suspension and ineligibility.

Basel will be without defender Aleksandar Dragovic through suspension and  the Basle coach Murat Yakin admitted that his side require a small miracle in order to reach the final, but insisted they can beat Chelsea if they opening the scoring.

Much of the pre-match build up has focused on the speculation surrounding Jose Mourinho’s return to Stamford Bridge, but Benitez has warned Chelsea of the dangers of complacency, perhaps the key word in their season so far.

Chelsea have already lost in two semi-finals this year and Benitez is anxious to avoid another disappointment as his interim tenure at Stamford Bridge now comes to an end.

One man who could make history tonight is Frank Lampard who’s one goal short of equalling Bobby Tambling’s club record of 202 goals. Frank’s available at 9.2 to score the first goal tonight and 9.4 to score 2 or more.