Mourinho can afford to play the rotation game

Jose Mourinho believes that Chelsea's Champions League form has given them a crucial advantage over Arsenal in the Premiership title race.

Chelsea have qualified for the second stage while Arsenal face a must-win game against PSV Eindhoven tonight.

The Chelsea head coach will rest Paulo Ferreira, Claude Makelele and Petr Cech from tonight's match against Paris Saint Germain.

He said: "It's always useful when you have the chance to rest certain players. You do not win championships in November or December but in January, February and March and if I can have less miles in their legs it's better. Paulo and Makelele have a better chance of performing well against Charlton if they don't have to play 90 minutes at a high intensity tonight. It's simple."

Didier Drogba will be on the bench after six weeks out with a groin injury, while Glen Johnson and Scott Parker will start.