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Chelsea travels to the Reebok today in search of a third consecutive win in all competitions. A solid brick on the yellow road to recovery it would most certainly be. Just think, three wins in a row.
Afterward, there could be a small celebration. One complete with a plethora of piñatas. Come on Didier, I know you know what a plethora is.
What’s that I see? A winning streak.Who: Bolton Wanderers
What: Premier League, Round 24
Where: The Reebok (28,723)
When: 24 January, 7:45pm local time (2:45pm EST)
How: ESPN2 (DirecTV 209, Dish Network 144)
Why: Because, like I said in the opening graph, a third win in a row would be some achievement considering how bad we’ve been in recent weeks. I mean, we’ve been fucking awful. A point is all that is required to see us leap back over Tottenham into fourth, but a point, as we all know, is hardly acceptable currency for a side in search of a year-end total of 80. What’s that leave us in terms of margin of error, two losses between now and May? More to the point, we are unbeaten in 14 meeting against Bolton. They have not won at home against us since 1997. We’re expected to win. We should win.
Wanderers, who lost at Stamford Bridge by a single goal in the clubs’ final game of 2010, have faded in the new year. Owen Coyle’s men have lost three of their past five matches in all competitions. New signing David Wheater is expected to be in from the start, likely partnering Gary Cahill, who was once mentioned as a potential January transfer target for Chelsea. That talk has since ceased, what with David Luiz monopolizing any and all rumors involving the CFC. And I do mean all of them. Still, Bolton represent a stern test – as does anybody for this Chelsea side at the moment. There were fairly unlucky not to leave SW6 with something at the end of December, and are a massively improved collective since Coyle took over for Gary Megson. Johan Elmander and Kevin Davies are a fine good cop-bad cop duo. Who’s Reggie Hammond?
The hosts should be further boosted by the honoring of club legend Nat Lofthouse prior to kickoff. They will be motivated – as if there was ever a question of that.
Chelsea, meanwhile, enter the fixture unaware of the status of both John Terry and Frank Lampard. Both are expected to be fit, but there are doubts, particularly over Lampard (calf strain). Better news is that John Obi Mikel is fit once again. He was on the bench for Blackburn. Lord know, we’ve missed his discipline and efficiency in midfield – at least in my opinion. His returns gives Ancelotti a selection headache, something he has not had in quite a while. Any three of McEachran, Ramires, Mikel, Essien and Lampard could feature against Bolton. You know how to bet on, however.
Could today finally be the day Danny Sturridge gets a deserved start? I doubt it. Count on the Malouda-Drogba-Anelka axis to remain untouched and unchallenged. The same can be said for the back four, though, again, I’d love to see Bruma in alongside Terry and Bane out on the right. How long can we continue to play a man down (see Bosingwa, Paulo)?
What else? Oh, we’ve had nine days off since the 2-0 win over Blackburn. That should only strengthen the argument for no surprises in the first team. The old heads have had sufficient recovery time. No excuses. All that’s left to do is win. Just win. KTBFFH
Projected XI
Cech
Bosingwa-Bane-EBJT-Cole
Essien-Mikel-Lampard
Anelka-Drogba-Malouda
Some Related Chelsea Posts:PL Preview: Chelsea v. BoltonPL Preview: Wolverhampton v. ChelseaPL Preview: Arsenal v. ChelseaPL Preview: Chelsea v. SunderlandPL Preview: Chelsea v. Wolverhampton
Category: Chelsea Team News, Fixtures, Match Previews, Player News, Premiership
Tags: Bolton, Carlo Ancelotti, Chelsea Team News, David Wheater, Didier Drogba, Fixtures, Frank Lampard, Johan Elmander, John Terry, Kevin Davies, Match Previews, Owen Coyle, Player News, Premier League, PremiershipTweet « Ashley Cole: Silencing the boo boys? | Home | Rant Box: Bolton v. Chelsea »Mateoid sturridge does not start and kalou does, carlo can eat my shitJackSo no Lamps & the game is not on ESPN2 (I swear my guide said it was on Friday). Sweet. ESPN3.com it is then.SharinganfxEssien/Ramires/Josh looks likely but it could always be...Essien/Ramires/Malouda, with Kalou/Nelks flanking for Drogs....ph0bolusJefe, what is a plethora? Great movie...
Prediction..a 2-1 win for Chelsea..Just checked the guide for espn2 on directv and it's not showing the game which blows...DevinLamps is confirmed as not making the trip, so he's out. Rumors were suggesting Mikel could be fit in time to slot in but there's no certainty. Might we be seeing Josh make his first start?SumedhThis is the first time in my life that I am not really looking forward to a Chelsea fixture...Its been that frustrating for the past few months...if we win today, i don't think the score line will be bigger than 1 or 2-0...lets hope for the best....KTBFFHblog comments powered by Disqus
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