The focus on Wednesday evening is very much on the top end of the Premier League table with three of the four sides chasing a top-four place in action, although Bolton are desperate for points themselves as they bid to climb out of the relegation zone.
Arsenal are seemingly nailed on at 1/12 to secure one of those Champions League berths – which may be reduced to three depending on the result of the this year’s final – but the Gunners will be keeping a close eye on proceedings on Wednesday with Tottenham (8/11), Chelsea (11/10) and Newcastle (6/1) all in with a chance of closing the gap.
Arsene Wenger’s men have at least a four-point cushion over their rivals but have played a game more, and victories for the two of the three chasing clubs will really set up an exciting run in.
Chelsea v Newcastle 7.45pm
Chelsea have been in tremendous form under Roberto di Matteo, losing just one of 16 games under his stewardship, and go into the match on the crest of a wave, having knocked Barcelona out of the Champions League as well as crushing QPR 6-1 in an embarrassingly one-sided west London derby on Sunday.
Fernando Torres looked every inch the star footballer that persuaded Roman Abramovich to splash out £50m to sign him from Liverpool and he won the man of the match award after scoring a hat-trick.
It has been a difficult season for the Spain hitman and that treble doubled his league tally for the season to six, although he has scored 11 goals in total in 47 appearances in all competitions.
However, it was the manner of his performance that will have got the Blues fans excited – with two cup finals approaching – as he looked sharp and dangerous and wanted the ball, as well as finding the net on three occasions.
Whether he starts remains to be seen as di Matteo may opt to change things around again but if he does start, he has to be considered in the goalscoring markets.
Newcastle have surprised so many for so long and a recent six-match winning streak kept them firmly in the hunt for a top-four finish.
However, that run was emphatically ended at the weekend and although it was no disgrace to lose to Wigan at the DW Stadium, given Latics recent run, the manner of the defeat and the 4-0 scoreline leaves cause for concern.
The Magpies do not usually travel well to Stamford Bridge, having not won there in 18 matches, but should provide more of a test than the Rs as they have kept 14 clean sheets this season – only the Manchester clubs have kept fewer – and have a distinct goal threat in the shape of Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba.
Branislav Ivanovic is a welcome return for the Blues as David Luiz and Gary Cahill are still ruled out and given the way they have been playing recently, coupled with the fact they won 3-0 at St James’ Park, Chelsea should come away with the points (Chelsea 8/15, Draw 16/5, Newcastle 11/2 Match Betting).
Bolton v Spurs 8pm
Spurs managed to rediscover the winning formula over Blackburn last Sunday, easing to a 2-0 win in a match where Rovers did not muster a single shot on goal, either on or off target.
Whether the Lilywhites rediscover the spring in the step that made them a title challenger earlier in the season now that the England situation has been sorted out (although it was never an issue in the first place apparently) remains to be seen, but they still remain in the hunt for a top-four place despite a horror run of form.
Harry Redknapp’s men had won just one of nine matches going into the Rovers clash although they did get the better of Bolton during that time in the FA Cup.
That cup win over the Trotters did come at White Hart Lane though and they need to turn around a dismal away run to keep pace with the likes of Newcastle, Chelsea and of course Arsenal.
Spurs have not won any of their last eight Premier League away games and have not scored in the last four, although they are the favourites at 10/11 in the match betting to end that run on Wednesday.
However, it could come down to a question of whose need is greater with Bolton knowing any kind of positive result will take them out of the bottom three with just two games to go.
Owen Coyles men are priced at 3/1 to pick up maximum points although a draw, given the Trotters defensive woes this season, at 13/5 could be the way to go.
Spurs have never won at the Reebok and are hardly in the best of nick, while Bolton are unbeaten in the last three Premier League games which gives sway to a positive ‘home’ argument, despite the fact that the Lancashire outfit has picked up more points on the road this term.
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