Bolton's O'Brien Confident Ahead Of Chelsea Visit

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EPL: Johan Elmander, Sunderland v Bolton Wanderers (PA)

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Bolton Wanderers, having collected an amazing 12 points from their last five matches, are quietly turning themselves into contenders for a European qualification spot. Now they are ready to inflict some of their own brand of pain on Chelsea when the Londoners visit the Reebok Stadium this weekend.

Bolton are on something of a hot streak having collected impressive back-to-back victories in the North-East over Middlesbrough and Sunderland. Only Liverpool have been able to overcome the Trotters in November, and now Bolton centre-back Andy O'Brien is looking for them to take that form into December with them.

"We go into the game full of confidence," said the former Bradford, Newcastle and Portsmouth centre-half.

"I felt it was important to get six points out of the last two games and we've managed to do that.

"We've got a home game coming up against a good team but we are going into it in a confident mood.

"The manager has stressed that we have got to be looking at the teams above us and not below us. We've had some good results recently and we need to maintain that form against Chelsea."

The last time Bolton played Chelsea was at Stamford Bridge on the final day of last season in game that finished 1-1 thanks to a  late Matty Taylor equaliser. Taylor is doubtful for this fixture though, as he limped out of the action at Sunderland at half-time with a thigh strain, something that concerns O'Brien because the midfielder is a natural goalscorer.

"Matty has proved in his career that if he plays a full season then he is good to get you between eight and ten goals," said O'Brien of his team-mate, before going on to speak of how much his side are looking forward to the game.

"We've got a good record at home, we are difficult to play against and so we are all looking forward to the game," said the former Republic of Ireland international.

Chelsea will need to be careful. Bolton are a big string side who play the game in a very 'muscular' fashion and the glamour boys from west London will need to roll up their sleeves and battle if they are to take three points home from the North-West.

Zack Wilson, Goal.com