Team News
John Terry had surgery following Chelsea’s Champions League clash with Napoli and has been definitely ruled out of this one. Jose Bosingwa suffered an injury in that match and is thus ruled out. Juan Mata broke a bone in his finger but will take part in this one. Fernando Torres is doubtful.
Bolton has a long injury list with Ricardo Gardner, Stuart Holden, Tyron Mears, Sean Davis and Lee Chung Yong all ruled out. Marcos Alonso and Kevin Davies are doubtful as well. This is hardly good news for a beleaguered Owen Coyle.
Form
Needless to say, Bolton is in horrible form at the moment. They are nineteenth in the Premier League table with the FA Cup providing their sole escape from the league. Chelsea themselves are in a hole. Andre Villas Boas’ job is seemingly on the line as Chelsea is almost out of the Champions League and has virtually no chance of winning the Premier League.
Bolton has lost 19 out of their past 24 away matches in the Premier League. This should give Villas Boas some home of recording a first win in four matches in all competitions. Chelsea has recorded eight victories in their past eight meetings with Bolton in all competitions.
These are the three previous results of both sides:
Napoli 3-1 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-1 Birmingham (FA Cup)
Everton 2-0 Chelsea
Bolton 2-0 Millwall (FA Cup)
Bolton 1-2 Wigan
Norwich 2-0 Bolton
This is what Villas Boas has to say about his team’s current predicament:
“There is one direction and one person who takes responsibilities – myself. The players don't have to take it and they shouldn't take it. They are top, top players and they know what they can do for the benefit of the team but there is only one person that is responsible which is me”
Previous Meetings
Bolton 1-5 Chelsea
Bolton 0-4 Chelsea
Chelsea 1-0 Bolton
Winner
Bolton will be buoyed somewhat by the weekend victory over Millwall. Chelsea looked somewhat lost against Napoli in midweek. However, expect Chelsea to just about win this.
Prediction: Chelsea 2-1 Bolton
