Switch article view:Match preview Struggling Bolton hoping to add to Chelsea's worries
By Julian Shea.
Kick off Saturday 25 February 2012 at 15:00, Stamford Bridge.
Five games without a win, in danger of exiting the Champions League and missing out on entry for it next year, the boss asks you to explain your team selection - oh yes, and your captain is out for six weeks. Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas must be wondering if he did something to upset someone.
Under the circumstances, it is unlikely he would have chosen Bolton as their next opponents. Win, and you've just beaten a team in the relegation zone - big deal. Lose, and you can probably start thinking about what you're going to do with all that free time when you're shown the door.
The decision to leave Ashley Cole out of the starting XI for Tuesday's Champions League loss to Napoli hardly won Villas-Boas any new supporters, but there is little chance of that being repeated on Saturday as Jose Boswinga, who started instead of him, is out with a muscle injury.
Fellow defender John Terry is out because of knee surgery, and Fernando Torres is a doubt because of illness. On a more positive note, Juan Mata is fit to play despite breaking a bone in his finger the other night.
Bolton are also a team with plenty on their mind, but for very different reasons. Despite their poor form of late, with just two points covering the bottom five teams, a win could make a huge difference to their situation - and when better to take on Chelsea than when they are so unsteady on their feet?
Kevin Davies is a doubt after injuring his medial ligament and defender Joe Riley is hoping to recover from a bruised foot in time to play.
Mark Davies should be fit after a hamstring injury and striker Marvin Sordell returns to contention after being cup-tied for last week's FA Cup win over Millwall.
Listen to our football experts Russ Williams, Jim Proudfoot and Ian Wright for a look ahead to the weekend's games in Friday's edition of Ian Wright's podcast.
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