Preview: Bolton vs Chelsea

Avram Grant will hope to improve on Chelsea's fantastic midweek victory over Chelsea at the Mestella. Bolton have had a difficult start to the year and a win at the Reebok Stadium against the Premiership giants will be the perfect tonic. Chelsea could welcome back Frank Lampard in this crucial Premiership battle.

Bolton have just five points from their eight games while The Blues are on 12 points from eight games but have not managed to score in the Premiership since the win against Portsmouth.

Chelsea have some injury and suspension worries with John Obi Mikel and Didier Drogba both suspended after red card incidents, whilst Michael Essien and Shaun Wright-Phillips are doubtful with injuries. The impending return of Frank Lampard could be a welcome boost for Avram Grant.

Bolton's Mikel Alonso is likely to be out after injury in the successful midweek UEFA Cup game against Rabotnicki, however, Ivan Campo, Nicolas Anelka, El-Hadji Diouf, Gary Speed, Kevin Nolan and Ricardo Gardner could return to Bolton's starting lineup.

Sammy Lee has been under enormous pressure in recent weeks and finally believes Bolton are turning out results: "I never get carried away, in victory or defeat, but hopefully this run of five games undefeated will give the lads a bit more confidence.

"After the defeats that we had your confidence is bound to suffer.

"But whatever competition you're playing in, whether it be the Premier League, Carling Cup or the UEFA Cup, success breeds success.

"And hopefully the more confidence we can get from whichever competition will then transfer and manifest itself into getting more Premier League points, which is certainly what we need."

Bolton are undefeated in 5 matches, and Sammy Lee believes the suspension of Didier Drogba will not matter to his side: Lee added: "Drogba is suspended but we're fully aware of who they can bring in and their strengths and weaknesses of all their players."

Eyefootball Premiership Predictor

Bolton 1-2 Chelsea

Bolton will be a threat for Chelsea, but things may start going well for the Stamford Bridge side from here on in. Kalou will be a threat for Bolton - and we predict he will score. A threat just the same as Anelka - but Chelsea have too much strength in depth for Bolton and will nab a result. Away win.



Predictor result: result correct, scorer correct