Bolton Wanderers v Chelsea - Match preview

30 October 2009 12:19
Bolton Wanderers will host Chelsea this weekend at Reebok Stadium with the visitors looking to cement their position at the top of the Premier League table.

With Manchester United going down 2-0 at Liverpool last week, Chelsea's thumping 5-0 drubbing of Blackburn Rovers catapulted them ahead of the Red Devils and sit two points in front.

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- Premier League table

Carlo Ancelotti, who returned to Italy this week to be with his ill father, is expected to return to the dugout for the game.

Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard were amongst the goals against Blackburn and this will have pleased the Chelsea management.

On the injury front, Chelsea could be without Yuri Zhirkov (ankle), Ashley Cole (gashed leg) and John Obi Mikel (foot). Portuguese full-back Jose Bosingwa (knee) will miss out.

Gary Megson's Trotters, who sit in 12th place, will be looking to improve their mediocre home record this term.

They have won just one game from their first five fixtures, this against Everton last week.

Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic scored the winner in a 3-2 win and he will be hoping his first goal in England will promote him from the bench to the starting line-up.

Bolton have an injury concern over record signing Johan Elmander (hamstring) and Andrew O'Brien (groin), Joey O'Brien (knee) and Sean Davis (knee) will all miss the big clash.

One worry for Megson will be that his side have so far failed to manage a clean sheet in the Premier League this term and the London giants will be looking to capitalise on their defensive frailties.

And with 24 goals in their first ten games, the Blues certainly have striking capabilities.

Last season's fixture saw the visitors walk away with a 2-0 success in December.

Source: DSG