Chelsea v Bolton preview
by Joseph Caron Dawe, 09 May 2008
Chelsea’s task is simple – in principle – against Bolton on Sunday; they must better Manchester United’s result against Wigan if they are to claim a third Premier League title in four seasons.
Chelsea 1/8 Draw 5/1 Bolton 14/1
Chelsea to win 3-1 at 12/1
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The Blues’ goal difference is inferior to United’s so if The Red Devils secure victory at The JJB then – barring a goal avalanche at Stamford Bridge – Avram Grant’s side will miss out.
Bolton’s Premier League status is practically secured, and only a heavy defeat to Chelsea combined with other results at the bottom end of the table going against them would see them relegated.
The Blues won their first Premier League title with victory over Bolton in 2004-05, and The Trotters have drawn two of their last four visits to Stamford Bridge 2-2. Interestingly, only one of the last nine meetings between these two sides has ended as a home win.
Chelsea are aiming to end their top-flight campaign with a fourth successive league victory, a result that would stretch the longest unbeaten sequence of the season by any club in this league to 21, and their undefeated run at Stamford Bridge to a remarkable 82 matches.
Frank Lampard has scored six goals against Bolton – no other side has been on the receiving end of his strikes more often in The Premier League, and Salomon Kalou has scored in his two starts against Bolton, which have been the last two times the sides have met.
Fascinatingly, no Premier League side has ever had 84 points from 37 games (in a 20-team division) and not won the title and Chelsea already have one point more than they did at this stage in 2006-07.
Without Michael Ballack’s goals this season Chelsea would be 11 points behind Manchester United, and The Blues have not won a last day fixture since Claudio Ranieri’s last match, against Leeds in 2004.
Avram Grant will have to do without Nicolas Anelka who is ineligible against his former club.
Prediction: 3-1
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