After a week and a half off after a break for international matches Chelsea come up against Middlesbrough in the Coca Cola Cup Final, writes Derek Osafo.

The last time the two teams met it was also at Wembley, in the FA Cup Final last May.

The outcome then was a comfortable Chelsea victory, Roberto Di Matteo's goal in the opening minute effectively killing off the game.

Middlesbrough showed little invention or resistance apart from the performance of their mercurial Brazilian Juninho.

He has departed along with Fabrizio Ravanelli but Boro have new heroes and they are very bit as formidable.

In Paul Merson they have a player who has revived his career and has been recalled to the England squad after an absence of four years. Merson on form is capable of settling the game on his own.

But Middlesbrough are in no way a one man team, the form of Mikkel Beck this season has been outstanding in attack and he will have something to prove after his disappointing showing in the FA Cup Final. Marco Branca has settled quickly and is a player of real quality as he showed in the semi-final victory over Liverpool.

Gianluca Vialli and his team will have to be at their best to beat Middlesbrough this time around. Both teams will approach the match with a measure of confidence.

Chelsea's last match saw them secure their place in the semi-finals of the European Cup Winners Cup. Middlesbrough are second in the First Division and on course for an immediate return to the Premiership.

From a Chelsea point of view the return to form of Gianfranco Zola could be crucial on the day.

But both sides are full of players who can turn the game; it could be an intriguing and very close encounter.

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