Owen Coyle has called on his side to put in a “big performance” on what will be an emotional Monday night at the Reebok as the club pay their respects to the late, great Bolton legend Nat Lofthouse before kick-off with floral tributes and a minute’s silence.
Certainly an improvement is needed as the Trotters have now gone four games without a win in the Premier League, although such has been their success this season they remain in an impressive seventh place in the table.
Wanderers also tend to find Chelsea a tough nut to crack, having failed to beat the Blues since 2003; even then it needed a last-gasp John Terry own goal to seal victory.
Shaking Off The Blues?
Chelsea, meanwhile, will hope they are headed for a brighter future after their recent dismal run came to an end with a much-needed victory against Blackburn Rovers last weekend.
However, the Blues haven’t won away since October and such has been their decline that striker Didier Drogba has admitted there is no point in discussing their title prospects until they manage two or three consecutive victories.
Carlo Ancelotti will surely be delighted, therefore, to be travelling to the Reebok as Chelsea have not lost to Bolton in their last 14 meetings, and indeed haven’t even conceded a goal against the Trotters in their last seven encounters.
TEAM NEWS
Bolton Wanderers
Owen Coyle may decide to hand defender David Wheater a debut after he joined the club from Middlesbrough. However, the Trotters are likely to be without Ivan Klasnic and Gretar Steinsson who are both injury doubts.
Definite absentees include Chung-Yong Lee, who is on Asian Cup duty, and injury victims Sean Davis, Joey O'Brien, Ricardo Gardner and Jlloyd Samuel.
Possible starting XI: Jaaskelainen; Robinson, Cahill, Wheater, Ricketts; Muamba, Taylor, Holden, Davies (M); Elmander; Davies (K).
Chelsea
The visitors have doubts over Frank Lampard, with Carlo Ancelotti admitting he has no idea if the midfielder will be fit for Monday.
There are also question marks over the fitness of John Terry after he picked up a rib injury in training, but the skipper has since insisted he will be available for slelection.
Chelsea are also without Alex, Yossi Benayoun and Yury Zhirkov, but otherwise have no new injury problems.
Possible starting XI: Cech; Bosingwa, Ivanovic, Terry, Cole; Essien, Lampard, Ramires; Anelka, Drogba, Malouda.
Prediction
Two sides short on form go head-to-head at the Reebok both in need of victory to regain lost momentum.
While the Blues will hope to build on victory against Blackburn Rovers, Bolton will want to avenge last weekend’s defeat to Stoke and on an emotionally-charged night for the club may find the inspiration needed to end a poor recent record against Chelsea.
While the Blues will hope to build on victory against Blackburn Rovers, Bolton will want to avenge last weekend’s defeat to Stoke and on an emotionally-charged night for the club may find the inspiration needed to end a poor recent record against Chelsea.
Bolton 0-0 Chelsea 
