Filed under: Bolton, Chelsea, Premier League, Football, Match Previews
PREMIER LEAGUE: REEBOK STADIUM MONDAY JANUARY 24, 2011. KICK OFF 2000 GMTLast season's corresponding fixture highlighted a gulf in quality between these two sides. Chelsea were too classy and clinical as they eased to a comfortable 4-0 victory.
But the fortunes of both have contrasted significantly since and make the outcome of this meeting much more difficult to predict than previously.
Bolton's defeat in October, 2009, came under the troubled reign of Gary Megson. yet they are a different side under Owen Coyle and two evenly-contested and hotly-disputed 1-0 losses at Stamford Bridge since have shown their vast improvement and demonstrated why they are battling for a place in Europe rather than trying to avoid relegation.
The belief on their home patch is obvious with just one defeat in this campaign and four points coming against Spurs and Manchester United. They will relish adding more pressure on the beleaguered Chelsea manager Carlo Ancelotti. This is the kind of awkward test he and his side must overcome if they are to retain hope of keeping hold of the title in May.
Form Guide: It has been 14 years since Bolton last triumphed over Chelsea. Coyle's side have lost five in succession away, but are unbeaten in six at home, taking 14 points out of a possible 18. The visitors on the other hand have won two of their last 10 in the league and not tasted victory away since October.
Key Match-up: Gary Cahill v Didier Drogba. There is no better way for Cahill to show why the top clubs, like Chelsea, want him with a commanding performance against the champions. He will have his work cut out in keeping Drogba quiet, though, as the Blues striker is eager to prove he is no spent force after some below-par displays and just three goals in his last 14 games. But with six career goals against Bolton, it is a side he enjoys facing.
Odds: Bolton 5-1, Chelsea 8-13, Draw 11-4
BOLTON:
Coyle is hoping Bolton will finally get a lucky break against the champions to end their 14-year dominance over them. It was 1997 when the Trotters last beat Chelsea, but their last two encounters have been tight and tinged with controversy.
Florent Malouda's winner last month was offside while Coyle felt Bolton should have had a penalty when a Stuart Holden shot struck John Terry's hand. Two similar appeals went unanswered last April too with the angry Trotters manager accusing Drogba of being a "world-class volleyball player" while Terry escaped in another incident.
And Coyle said: "The margins really are minimal and we know that come Monday night we have come out on the right side of those. I felt we were unfortunate not to come away with anything in the game at Stamford Bridge earlier this season.
"I think we have been harshly dealt with in the last two games. But we are back at the Reebok where we have been in terrific form and we have to maximise that and look to try to win the game. If we play to our best I believe we can. We've shown this season that regardless of who we play we can go and pick up points against the best of teams."
The game will have an emotional feel following the death of Bolton legend Nat Lofthouse. His funeral takes place on Wednesday and nothing would give the club greater satisfaction than to celebrate a victory.
Coyle added: "He was the greatest player Bolton ever had and we want to make sure the players do justice to themselves.
"We have to make sure we are at our best and we represent every supporter - and Nat was a supporter - in the best way we can. We want everyone to come out and remember. It's very sad Nat has passed away, but we should also remember and celebrate what he brought to the club and the integral part he played in it and always will."
Strategy: Having struggled to fill his bench, Coyle has not been blessed with many options to change his squad following recent indifferent results. A fresh face is welcome in the shape of defender David Wheater, but he is unlikely to shift the pairing of Zat Knight and Cahill for this game.
With Holden fit, Coyle will look to the American to provide some guile in midfield alongside Mark Davies. Martin Petrov is pushing for a start and his lively wing play and set-piece delivery could help unsettle a Chelsea defence that has looked far from assured. And that is where strikers Kevin Davies and Johan Elmander will prove key as their hustle and bustle is not something the visitors will enjoy.
Injury Update: Full back Gretar Steinsson is available after missing a month with knee trouble and midfielder Holden has recovered from a thigh strain. Wheater is available for his debut in central defence following his move from Middlesbrough.
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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/01/23/bolton-v-chelsea-preview-carlo-ancelotti-owen-coyle/
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