Owen Coyle says Wanderers can't read too much into Chelsea's stuttering form, as Bolton prepare to face a West London side that is without a win in their last five matches.
The Blues, who in their ranks boast two familiar faces in Gary Cahill and Daniel Sturridge, last recorded a win against QPR in the FA Cup at the end of January.
However, Coyle admitted in his pre-match press conference that he's still expecting a tough test against a side he knows are more than capable of turning the corner.
"I don't think there is ever a good time to face Chelsea," the manager explained.
"They'll probably be thinking that it's a good time to play Bolton. What I do know is that it'll be two teams going all out to pick up three points.
"We're away from home at an elite club and regardless of what people say, they're a very good team with outstanding players.
"I think that if anyone would have looked at the first 60 minutes of football they played against Manchester United recently when they were 3-0 up, they would have said that they are a top team.
"Even looking at the 3-1 defeat against Napoli the other night, who's to say that they won't overturn that margin at Stamford Bridge? They're more than capable of doing exactly that.
"They are led by an outstanding manager, someone who I know extremely well. Andre has come into the club and looked at how he can progress them for many years to come and I'm sure he'll do that".
On the other hand Wanderers started the New Year in fine form, suffering just one defeat in their opening seven games, although two recent losses against Norwich City and Wigan Athletic have seen Wanderers slip back a couple of places in the league standings
And despite having away games against Chelsea and title-chasing Manchester City on the horizon, Coyle says points are there to be won.
He added: "From Christmas to the turn of the year we've actually been playing very well and picking up a lot of points.
"We know that at times this season there we could have done better, and that's been the case in our two most recent Premier League games away at Norwich and at home to Wigan.
"We all accept that we under performed in the first half against Wigan at home. If we had played the way we could and should have we would have been sitting in 16th in league and in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, and then everybody's perception is different.
"We now go into two away games against Chelsea and Manchester City, and there's no doubt that they are big games for us, as they would be for any team. We also know that even after those games there are points to be had, with a lot of those games at home.
"Our destiny is on our own hands and we're looking forward to the challenge that goes with it."
