By Graeme Bailey Last updated: 18th April 2008
Davies misses out at Boro
Bolton travel to Middlesbrough looking for a crucial three points as they look to move out of the Premier League relegation zone.
The Trotters are two points away from safety but there are now just four games left for Gary Megson's men to save themselves.
Middlesbrough away on paper looks winnable, but Bolton have a dismal record on Teesside. They have not won since 2003 - some eight league meetings ago.
Indeed Bolton have won just once at The Riverside in 1996.
Bolton, though, are going into the game on the back of their first win in nine games.
Boro seemingly are not in great form either, with just two wins in their last nine games - but on the contrary they have faced away trips to Chelsea, Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham where they have given great accounts of themselves on each occasion, whilst they also claimed a home draw with Manchester United.
Indeed Boro are in high spirits after their draw at Spurs although changes will have to be made by Gareth Southgate.
He has lost the services of Gary O'Neil with knee ligament damage although he was suspended for this game anyway.
Southgate has a number of options to replace O'Neil with Tuncay Sanli, Adam Johnson, Lee Cattermole and Fabio Rochemback all options to come in.
Another possible change is Andrew Taylor who could replace Jonathan Grounds at left-back.
Bolton also need to change things from their side which defeated West Ham last week as striker Kevin Davies is suspended - although a broken hand means he would have missed out anyway.
Grzegorz Rasiak or Heidar Helguson are likely replacements for Davies with the rest of the starting XI likely to remain unchanged.
Joey O'Brien, Ricardo Gardner, Nicky Hunt and goalkeeper Jussi Jaaskelainen all remain sidelined.
Phil Thompson says Emmanuel Eboue can help Arsenal top their Champions League group.
Kammy puts us right on Big Phil, hails his Chelsea side and loves the Villa thriller in his weekend picks.
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Liverpool | 20 | 45 |
| 2 | Chelsea | 20 | 42 |
| 3 | Manchester United | 18 | 38 |
| 4 | Aston Villa | 20 | 38 |
| 5 | Arsenal | 20 | 35 |
| 6 | Everton | 20 | 32 |
| 7 | Wigan Athletic | 19 | 28 |
| 8 | Hull City | 20 | 27 |
| 9 | Fulham | 19 | 26 |
| 10 | West Ham United | 20 | 25 |
| 11 | Bolton Wanderers | 20 | 23 |
| 12 | Portsmouth | 20 | 23 |
| 13 | Manchester City | 20 | 22 |
| 14 | Newcastle United | 20 | 22 |
| 15 | Sunderland | 20 | 22 |
| 16 | Tottenham Hotspur | 20 | 20 |
| 17 | Middlesbrough | 20 | 20 |
| 18 | Stoke City | 20 | 20 |
| 19 | Blackburn Rovers | 20 | 18 |
| 20 | West Bromwich Albion | 20 | 18 |