Bolton v Chelsea – Saturday Premier League

Bolton and Chelsea meet for the second time four days, with the Blues this time making the journey north to the Reebok Stadium. The London side easily brushed aside Bolton’s challenge in the Carling Cup, as they Blues ran out comfortable 4-0 winners. Chelsea boss Carlo Ancelotti will be looking for a similar result, and a confident and free scoring Chelsea should be able to keep their place at the top of the Premier League after Saturday’s match. Chelsea have suffered two surprise defeats away from home, largely thanks to their inability in those matches to defend set pieces. Since the last one, away to Aston Villa, Chelsea have been firing in the goals, left, right and centre in all competitions, netting thirteen times in just three games without conceding anything. It appears as if they have stepped up a gear, and Bolton will need to be above and beyond their resilient best to cope with the waves of Blue attacks on Saturday.

Bolton though need points. With a win in the last five minutes over struggling Everton last Sunday, Bolton lifted themselves up into mid-table from just above the relegation zone. That is how tight it is in the bottom half of the Premier League. It is more than feasible that without a win, they will drop right back down there, depending on how results go involving teams immediately below them. Bolton boss Gary Megson has his work cut out, and the victory over Everton signalled the arrival of their first home win of the season. Now would be one of the best times to capitalise on that, for if they could take down Chelsea, then it would serve as a huge confidence boost in ensuring their Premier League status.

Chelsea are still favourites to take the league, 6/4 at Coral, especially after Manchester United’s defeat to Liverpool last weekend. The top two go head to head at Stamford Bridge in just over a week’s time, and so the results this Saturday will be equally as vital, for any slip up this weekend in a Premier League fixture, could be doubled with another defeat next weekend. The gap is just two points at the top, with Chelsea leading the way. The big question over whether Chelsea will go the distance, could all rely on the status of their transfer ban, imposed upon them by Fifa. They have appealed, and could be big spenders come the January transfer window, for if the ban is upheld, they will not be able to sign any new players for some time to come. That could become a necessity, knowing how much money Manchester United have to throw around.

Bolton to win: 8/1 at Bet365
Draw: 10/3 at BetFred
Chelsea to win: 5/11 at Coral

Betting Advice: This a perfect chance for Chelsea to push Manchester United further. By all accounts this should be an easy win for Carlo Ancelotti’s men, especially after their semi-second string team thumped them 4-0. Bolton need to come out and be physical, and find a way to shut down the predominant power of the Chelsea midfield. With the re-emergence of Joe Cole, and the strike force of Dider Drogba and Nicolas Anelka to add to that midfield, plus a usually tight defence led by John Terry, Bolton’s best chance may be any display of complacency by the London side.
Chelsea to win 3-1: 11/1 at SportingBet