Bolton v Derby preview

Jewell: Injury troubles

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 2-0

SKY BET odds: Bolton 8/15, Draw 11/4, Derby 13/2

One to Watch: Nicolas Anelka

Bet on Wednesday's game

Related links

Teams

• Bolton Wanderers
• Derby County

Also see

• Football on Sky
• Sky Sports experts
• Transfer Centre
• Paper Talk

Both sides will be hoping that a new year will bring a change in fortune after a disappointing 2007.

Bolton were beaten 3-1 by Sunderland in their final game of last year and have now lost four of their last six Premier League outings, leaving them perched just one point above the relegation zone.

Gary Megson's side have won their last three games at the Reebok though, against Manchester United, Wigan and Birmingham, and the nine goals they have conceded at home are fewer than European-chasing Everton and Aston Villa.

Things continue to look bleak for Derby who have now gone 14 games since they beat Newcastle 1-0 back in September and have picked up just two points on their travels, netting on just three occasions.

They are the only side with just a solitary victory so far and have the lowest points tally (7), lowest number of goals scored (10) and the most conceded (45). If things do not improve quickly then Paul Jewell's side will be making a swift return to the Championship.

The reverse fixture between the two sides back in September finished 1-1 with Nicolas Anelka cancelling out a Kenny Miller strike.

No fresh concerns

Megson may be tempted to make changes after Bolton's recent inconsistent form but he has a virtually full squad to choose from with Nicky Hunt (foot), Heidar Helguson (ankle) and Ricardo Vaz Te (knee) the only doubts.

With speculation continuing to link Anelka with a move away from the club this could also be the last chance the Reebok faithful get to appreciate the Frenchman's talents.

Limited options

Jewell on the other hand has an ever-growing injury list to contend with as defensive duo Dean Leacock and Michael Johnson both limped out of Sunday's 2-1 defeat to Blackburn.

Stephen Bywater and Stephen Pearson (both shoulder), Andy Griffin and Rob Earnshaw (both calf), Andy Todd (back) and David Jones (groin) are all still unavailable, but Matt Oakley and Claude Davis should feature after safely coming through 90 minutes against Rovers.

The Rams' decision to allow Steve Howard to move to Leicester, and with Earnshaw injured, means that Jewell's attacking options have now been restricted to just Kenny Miller, Craig Fagan and Jon Macken.