Bolton v Sunderland Form guide Bolton: LLLLLW Sunderland: DLWLDL Opta Stat Only Derby 2007-08 (7) and Sunderland 2003-2005 (10) have lost more consecutive home games in the Premier League than Bolton's current run (6). Both Bolton and Sunderland have vowed to go all out for three points at the Reebok Stadium this Saturday. The two sides are desperate for a victory as they go into the game level on six points, sitting either side of the relegation zone. Bolton are the wrong side of the line as they have the unwelcome honour of possessing the worst goal difference in the Premier League, minus 10 after eight games - despite thumping QPR 4-0 on the opening day. The Trotters have since endured a six-game losing streak and although they ended that wretched run with a 3-1 win at Wigan last week, manager Owen Coyle has told his players they must give their fans something to cheer at the Reebok. While there is no disgrace losing at home to Chelsea, Manchester City and Manchester United, Bolton wouldn't have expected to concede 13 goals in the process - or lose 2-1 to newly-promoted Norwich in their other home game. Coyle wielded the axe for the Wigan game, and after a much-improved performance, he has made it clear his players must keep performing if they want to keep their place. news Coyle could name an unchanged Bolton side after last week's welcome win at Wigan. Coyle left out Gretar Steinsson and Fabrice Muamba altogether, with Zat Knight dropped to the bench, and his replacement David Wheater responded with a man-of-the-match performance. A couple of players have knocks but Coyle is hopeful they will be fit while defender Marcos Alonso (broken foot) returned to training on Friday after eight weeks out. On-loan Sunderland striker Bendtner is set to return after being ineligible to face parent club Arsenal last week. Full-back Phil Bardsley could also return after completing a four-match ban, but Titus Bramble is suspended pending police and club investigations. Craig Gordon and Fraizer Campbell (both knee) are still on the road to recovery. Possible starting XIs Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Boyata, Cahill, Wheater, Robinson, Eagles, Reo-Coker, Pratley, Petrov, K Davies, Ngog. Sunderland: Mignolet, Bardsley, O'Shea, Brown, Richardson, Sessegnon, Cattermole, Vaughan, Larsson, Bendtner, Wickham.
A must win pressure game for both sides but Bolton will be expected to win so will feel that extra pressure. If ever we needed our big players, O'Shea and Brown in particular, to step forward its today and with the warrior Bardsley back, I hope he is, our defence should look strong. In midfield we should finaly see what we have been waiting for, a winger on each wing and more to the point on their prefered wing. With 2 big strikers up front the scene is set, cant see it being a game of fast flowing football but I can see it being a game we will win.
Com, I wish it were different but although my heart says yes my head says no. Can we go there and win? Of course we can as its just 2 teams over 90 mins. Will we though? I think it very unlikely given our situation. The rot has set in now and Bolton will be keen to build on last weeks win at wigan, especially as they are at home. I couldn't see us going to wigan and winning 3-1 could you? I don't see up going to the Reebok and doing it either. It's a sad state of affairs imo.
Hope they put on a good performance for the masses that are going.. Usually do ok at the Reebok, but i'm wary about this time. It's games like this where i wish we still had Zenden, a cool head.
Mike Jones will take charge of the Barclays Premier League game between Bolton Wanderers and Sunderland at the Reebok Stadium. The 43-year-old from Cheshire has been a Select Group referee since 2008 having refereed his first senior games in the 1997-98 season. Jones - one of 18 referees currently operating in the Barclays Premier League - has taken charge of seven games so far this season, showing 32 yellow cards and three reds.He officiated on 35 occasions last season, producing 116 yellow cards and six reds. Jones took charge of Sunderland on three occasions in 2010-11 - both games against Wolves plus the 2-1 home defeat to Tottenham Bardo, Catts or Davies?
Don't worry, we will give your lot a boost this afternoon. We won't win. We might draw. We will probably lose.
Bruce's first game as Sunderland boss was away to Bolton, the first game of the 2009/10 season, in which Darren Bent scored the only goal. The Black Cats have won all four games against the Trotters since Bruce took charge Lets hope the trend continues.
Team is.... MIG BARDO.. OSHEA..TURNER..BROWN..RICHARDSON LARSSON..CATTS..VAUGHAN..SESS BENDY..WICKHAM
interesting, at the beginning of the year we were complaining bitterly about the lack of left footed players. 3 in the starting line up today....
