Liverpool, Chelsea look to turn things around against Wolves, Bolton tonight
Chelsea’s problems are showing signs of easing up and Bolton will be looking to take advantage of the situation when they face the reigning champions tonight.
Blues' flying start to the season has long been forgotten and as their worrying wobble continues, their dream of landing another premiership crown keeps edging away from them.
Carlo Ancelotti’s men have looked anything but title contenders in their last few games and have secured just 6 points from their last 8 games.
Manchester United's draw last night meant that Chelsea are now seven points adrift of the top while a victory for Spurs last night meant that the London Blues tumbled out of the top four for the first time this season.
However, they still have a chance to get back in the Champions League places with a victory over Bolton but the Trotters have been in good form of late and Chelsea won't be getting it easy tonight.
Chelsea can take some heart from the fact that they are unbeaten in their last 14 games against Bolton but stats count for nothing in football and Bolton are aware of this fact.
For all their troubles, the Blues still boast the best defensive record at home having just conceded 4 goals this season and their scoring has also been impressive in front of the home support as they have only failed to score once in 29
games at home.
Since December 2008, Chelsea have not gone on 3 games without a win at Stamford Bridge but a reversal of fortunes looks to be on the cards as Bolton are in red hot form.
Bolton will visit the Stamford Bridge knowing that victory can lift them above Chelsea into the fift place and this could act as a catalyst for Owen Coyle’s men
But, Coyle must also be aware of the fact that his side has failed to keep a clean sheet against Chelsea for the last 19 games.
After missing the clash against Arsenal, Nicolas Anelka remains unlikely to feature for the Blues while Alex, Zhirkov and Benayoun are also on the treatment table.
Bolton are also short on numbers as Gretar Steinsson, Sean Davis, Ricardo Gardner, Tamir Cohen, Joey O'Brien and Jlloyd Samuel are on the sidelines.
In another important fixture tonight, Liverpool will face Wolverhampton with Steven Gerrard making a long awaited comeback in to the side.
The England midfielder has been on the mend and missing since he suffered a grade two hamstring tear in the friendly defeat to France in November.
But, Gerrard has been training with the team for a couple of days now and will be restored to the starting lineup against Wolves.
The news is not a good one for Mic McCarthy’s men as they are desperate for points and are currently placed in the bottom three of the Premier League.
The Molineux outfit were relegated to the bottom of the table after a dismal run of form saw them failing to win any of their last 11 outings and Mick McCarthy will expect his boys to turn up a performance of note tonight against a Liverpool side that has
not been at its best in recent times.
Both the sides will be looking to end a troublesome year on a high after both underachieved throughout the year.
Liverpool have a chance to climb to 8th position in the league while Wolves can move of the foot of the table with a win.
Apart from Steven Gerrard, Daniel Agger will also be returning to first team action tonight as he has also recovered from a calf muscle strain that has sidelined him since late October.
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