Preview - Chelsea v Bolton: The omens look good for Chelsea, but the champions elect must be wary of travelling trotters

After their FA Cup Semi Final win on Saturday Carlo Ancelotti’s men have the league and cup double well in their sights. With games against Tottenham and Liverpool already highlighted as the key encounters in Chelsea’s title march one could forgive the Londoners from taking their midweek fixture against Bolton a little more lightly. Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 12 league games against Bolton (winning 9 and drawing 3) and the fact that Bolton have lost 4 of their last 5 league games without troubling the scorers is unlikely to cause too much concern for Terry and co. But football has never been a game to follow the script and with Bolton still fighting for vital survival points the blues might have to dig a little deeper than they would like if they are to come away with all three points.

The comments from Sir Alex Ferguson that Chelsea are in for an “easy” game adds another pinch of spice to the fixture; a classic piece of Fergie mind games in an attempt to raise the Wanderers from their recent slump in form. The Scotsmen’s comments provide the perfect ammunition for Coyle’s pre-match team talk who would love to have a say in a title race which is far from over.

Coyle is no stranger to giant killing, after opening his Premiership managerial career with a famous 1-0 victory over champions Man Utd whilst still at Burnley. And the Bolton boss was in a defiant mood today, stating: "Everyone has written us off but I've been in that position before and gone to Chelsea and won, as I did with Burnley in the cup. I can assure you it can be done."

At a similar stage in last season’s title race Bolton gave the blues a fright at the Bridge, coming back from 4-0 down as Chelsea hung on for a narrow 4-3 victory. If they are to go one better this time around Bolton must utilise the skills of Korean midfielder Chung-Yong Lee, who has been the white’s only real danger man since his move from FC Seoul in the summer. After an uncharacteristically unproductive game against Villa last Saturday he is due a big game. He will need no reminding that they don’t come much bigger than this.

In all probability however it will be another in form winger who will get most joy on Tuesday. After a terrific season Flourent Malouda may well be in line for Chelsea’s player of the year award. If Ancelotti have done his homework Chelsea will target Bolton fullbacks Robinson and Ricketts so don’t be surprised if the Frenchmen appears on both wings on Tuesday. Malouda’s pace, close control and fizzing crosses will present the Bolton defence with too much to handle unless distribution down the flanks is cut off, especially with Bolton old boy Nicolas Anelka likely to be given a more central role with top scorer Didier Drogba expected to be rested. Coyle must look to his youthful but gifted midfield trio of Muamba, Cohen and Wilshere to control possession as much as possible in the early stages if he wants to capitalise on the inevitable nerves in the Chelsea camp. If they can do so they will prevent Lampard from pulling the strings in the middle of the pitch and crucially if Bolton can get some genuine service to their own silky winger the Londerers may be in for more than they bargained for.

Bolton Raider - K3BQV3CBM546