Match Preview: Chelsea v Bolton
Manchester United manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, may well have been attempting to get into Chelsea heads by claiming they have an “easy” match against Bolton this evening; but on paper, the Scot appears absolutely spot-on.
The Blues reached their third FA Cup Final in four seasons with a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa last Saturday and welcome Bolton to Stamford Bridge tonight off the back of a five-match unbeaten streak – not to mention a crucial away victory over fellow title-challengers, United, in their previous league match.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side will be presented with an ideal chance to move four points clear at the top of the table and close in on the Premier League title with victory this evening. A draw would be a wasted opportunity; a home defeat would rank among the shocks of the season.
Owen Coyle was unfazed by Ferguson’s comments and revealed that he feels his side are capable of getting something out of this match. However, it’s difficult not to think that his confident disposition is more of a front, than what he truly believes.
That’s because a brief look at the form book makes for harrowing reading. Bolton fans, look away now.
The Trotters have lost their last three Premier League matches, failing to score against all three opponents: Everton, United and Villa. They haven’t beaten Chelsea since December 2003. They‘ve shipped in eight goals against the west Londoners in their last two matches. And finally, Bolton have only won a single league match on the road since September – and that came against West Ham.
You can’t help but think the Bolton manager has opted to steer clear of past records in the build-up to this match for the sake of his own sanity. Had he done so, it would have left him a nervous wreck on the coach down the M1 yesterday afternoon.
Surprisingly, the last time Bolton beat Chelsea, six-and-a-half years ago, did come at Stamford Bridge. Back then, though, they had players of the calibre of Jay-Jay Okocha and Youri Djorkaeff. How they could do with a couple of players blessed with half their ability, tonight.
Goals have been very hard to come by for Coyle’s side this season. A brief look at their top scorer charts confirms it. Left wingback-c*m-left winger, Matthew Taylor, is joint-top with a paltry six goals to his name, alongside on-loan striker Ivan Klasnić. Even the previously reliable Kevin Davies looks nowhere near entering double figures for this season; and as for £9million Johan Elmander, well, the less said about him the better.
Compare that to Chelsea’s frightening top scorer charts and it’s a wonder why the Bolton manager isn’t hanging out of the team hotel window waving the white flag already.
Didier Drogba, the relentlessly brutal powerhouse of a striker, continues to keep getting better and better despite turning 32 last month. He leads the pack with a hefty 25 league goals this season and now has his sights firmly set on winning the Premier League Golden Boot. He isn’t about to take it easy on Bolton this evening.
Then there are the likes of Frank Lampard – 17 goals, Florent Malouda – 11 goals and Nicolas Anelka – eight goals. All of them established internationals with the ability to win tonight’s match almost single-handedly. Meanwhile, a quick glance down the Bolton squad; Fabrice Muamba, Ricardo Gardner and Sam Ricketts, for all their qualities, don’t exactly strike a similar level of fear.
Bolton goalkeeper Jussi Jääskeläinen will be braced for another tough evening at Stamford Bridge; he’ll certainly have his work cut out.
If it provides Coyle with any solace before this game kicks-off, it’s that Chelsea have lost the fewest number of matches out of any side this season. Oh wait, that doesn’t work. OK: their opponents have the best goal difference in the Premier League. Wait, neither does that. One more try: Chelsea have scored 84 goals this season, compare to Bolton’s 36. Sorry, Owen.
Admittedly, there’s little the stats can do to inspire any sort of confidence for Coyle and his men. Fortunately for the Bolton boss, football isn’t played on paper, and records are there to be broken.
Fergie may be hoping his words unnerve Chelsea, but even his mind games are unlikely to have any sort of impact in the capital this evening.
Prediction: Chelsea 4-0 Bolton.
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