Chelsea: The Odds

Chelsea are a top priced 1.33 with Paddy Power to beat Bolton at the Bridge this weekend, and under normal circumstances would be considered bankers to do so.

 

However things are not normal at the club at the moment, and AVB is a manager under pressure following what can only be described as some dreadful results.

 

The Blues have not won any of their last 5 games in all competitions, and have lost two out of the last three of those.

 

Sandwiched in between those two defeats was a woeful 1-1 draw with Birmingham in the FA Cup, and they are currently looking a shadow of their former selves.

 

Whether it is the fault of the manager has been hotly debated, but one thing for sure is that the players are not responding to his needs.

 

They look to be going through the motions and appear unable, or more likely unwilling, to dig deep and battle head to grind out results.

 

However the good thing as far as this encounter is concerned is that Bolton have a terrible record against the Blues.

 

The Trotters have won none of their last 16 visits to London, and have also managed to keep just one clean sheet in their last 38 Premier League away games.

 

That really should make them perfect fodder for an anywhere near on-song Chelsea side, but whether you would want to back them at 1.33 in their current mood is another matter.

 

For that reason I am going to suggest that we concentrate on Frank Lampard as regards punting in this game.

 

He has scored more goals against Bolton than against any other team in the Premier League (11) and has to make him of interest in the first and anytime scorer markets.

 

Boylesports go 6.5 about him netting first, while you can get a very tasty looking 2.5 with the same firm about him bagging one in the 90 minutes.

 

Both look worthy of a punt given his outstanding record against the northerners.

 

Hopefully he can fire Chelsea to a much needed victory, and given that it is a game which they simply must win I am not even going to suggest what the possible outcome could be score wise!