Bolton vs Chelsea: Preview

Chelsea travel to the Reebok to take on Bolton this afternoon, with the chance of setting a new top-flight record of 11 consecutive away wins.

 

Chelsea remain the only unbeaten club away from home in the Premier League although they’re without a win in two whilst Bolton have won their last couple of games.

 

In fact, having started last month in the relegation places, Bolton went on a bit of a run, beating City, Hull, Boro and Sunderland, although slipped up against the Scousers.

 

Of this fixture and Bolton’s recent form, assistant manager Chris Evans says “Obviously most of the games they play they are regarded as the favourites and I don’t think that will be any different this weekend. 

 

"But we are having a good run of form and apart from results, we are playing very well. Even when results weren’t going well for us we felt we were putting a good shift in. 

 

"Sometimes you don’t get what you deserve but, if you have the belief, then results will turn and that’s exactly what’s happened to us. Confidence is a big thing in any sport but since the beginning of the season there has been a terrific camaraderie at the club.

 

"That’s not something that’s just happened and it’s not false - the players get on well together here and the manager goes to great lengths to foster that.  The one thing we do have is a terrific spirit, a great togetherness and, if you have that, you can align it with ability and you have the ingredients for success.”

 

On team news, it looks as if Gary Megson has a full strength squad to choose from. Chelsea meanwhile are without Didier Drogba who continues to serve his 3 match ban and could also be without Joe Cole (ankle).

 

Ricardo Carvalho (knee), Franco Di Santo (hamstring), Juliano Belletti (ankle) and Michael Essien (knee) all remain out.

 

Key Players

 

Bolton

 

Johan Elmander – Bolton are scoring goals and although he might not have justified his £8.2million price tag initially, the Swedish striker is starting to look worth the money.

 

The 27 year old, who bagged a couple against Sunderland, is expected to lead the Bolton and could be a real threat to Cech’s goal.

 

Chelsea

 

Nicolas Anelka – again facing another former club, Chelsea will be relying heavily on Nicolas Anelka for goals.

 

With Drogba out and Joe Cole’s run-ins from the wing not an option either, we’ll be looking for Anelka to make his attacking pace count.

 

Club Form

 

Bolton

 

Bolton have won four of their last five games in the league although have lost their last four at home against sides in the current top four.

 

In fact, from the last 24 points available against the ‘Big Four’, Bolton have managed only one point – albeit against Chelsea. Bolton go into this game 9^th in the Premier League.

 

Chelsea

 

Chelsea are on the longest unbeaten away run in the Premier League, winning 15 and drawing 2 since December 2007.

 

They’ve won all seven away so far this season although have lost a couple at home so far. Chelsea have won 10 of the 15 games under Luiz Felipe Scolari although a loss today would be their 100^th away from home in the Premier League.

 

Chelsea go into this game in 2^nd place.

 

Head To Head

 

Chelsea are unbeaten in 9 against Bolton in the Premier League (won 6, drawn 3). The last time Bolton took all three points off Chelsea was some eleven years ago and they haven’t scored against us on home soil for the past 6 years either.

 

Not ideal news for them considering Chelsea are the highest scorers in the Premier League although the Reebok has seen fewer top-flight goals than any other ground so far this campaign.

 

Home and Away

 

League (inc PL): Bolton 34 wins, Chelsea 39 wins, Draws 27

Prem: Bolton 3 wins, Chelsea 10 wins, Draws 5

 

At Bolton Only

 

League (inc PL): Bolton 22 wins, Chelsea 14 wins, Draws 14

Prem: Bolton 2 wins, Chelsea 5 wins, Draws 2

 

Last Season

 

Bolton 0-1 Chelsea

Chelsea Scorer: Kalou 41

7 October 2007 – Ref: Alan Wiley

 

Prediction

 

Chelsea might well start this one as favourites given their away form although the Trotters are in better form at home, although bearing in mind this game is between a Bolton side who’ve failed in their last seven attempts to score against a Chelsea side who’ve managed 10 clean sheets, I won’t be anticipating a goal-fest.

 

Teams

 

Bolton (from): Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, A O’Brien, Samuel, Nolan, Riga, McCann, Muamba, Gardner, Taylor, Davies, Elmander, Al Habsi, Shittu, Smolarek, Basham, Cohen, Fojut.

 

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Bosingwa, Ferreira, Alex, Terry, Ivanovic, Bridge, A Cole, Lampard, Deco, Ballack, Mikel, Kalou, Malouda, Anelka, Sinclair, Stoch

 

Referee

 

Howard Webb (Yorkshire)