Bolton v West Brom preview

Trotters look to pile more misery on pointless Baggies

By Chris Burton   Last updated: 30th August 2008

megson gary

Megson: Baggies clash

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-1

SKY BET odds: Bolton 10/11, Draw 9/4, West Brom 10/3

One to Watch: Borja Valero

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Bolton boss Gary Megson gets ready to welcome his former club West Brom to the Reebok Stadium this Saturday.

The Trotters chief spent four years at the Hawthorns between 2000 and 2004, leading the club to two promotions before his acrimonious departure.

Megson has made no secret of his feelings towards Baggies chairman Jeremy Peace and will be desperate to get one over on the man he holds responsible for the disappointing nature of his exit from the club.

He has got his current side off to a steady start this season, with a narrow 1-0 defeat at Newcastle last week coming on the back of a comfortable 3-1 win over Premier League newcomers Stoke on the opening day.

Their victory over the Potters was their third consecutive league success at the Reebok Stadium, an ideal foundation on which to make the ground a fortress.

However, they do need to work on their concentration, as 10 of the last 11 goals Megson's men have conceded have come in the second half of their fixtures.

West Brom are the only promoted side not to have tasted success yet this season and have now failed to win any of their last 15 top flight matches.

They have also won just once in their last 24 games away from home among England's elite, a fact which does not bode well for their chances of taking anything from Saturday's contest.

Despite finding three-point hauls hard to come by, the 1-0 defeat they suffered at the hands of Arsenal a fortnight ago was their first in nine on their travels.

Cahill suspended

Bolton will be without defender Gary Cahill for the game, as he is due to start a three-match ban.

The defender was sent off during Wanderers' 2-1 Carling Cup defeat to Northampton, and will join Johan Elmander and Matt Taylor on the sidelines.

Elmander has a hamstring injury and is set to be out for at least two or three more weeks while Taylor has a broken toe which is expected to keep him out for up to six weeks.

Kevin Davies, Kevin Nolan and Andy O'Brien are all expected to return to Megson's starting line-up after coming on as substitutes in midweek.

Valero debut

West Brom's record signing Borja Valero is in line to make his Premier League bow at Bolton.

The £4.75million capture from Real Mallorca had his first taste of English football during the Carling Cup reverse at Hartlepool in midweek.

Baggies boss Tony Mowbray has no fresh injury worries, with the likes of Scott Carson, Paul Robinson, Gianni Zuiverloon and Ishmael Miller all poised to return after being rested from the cup clash.

Possible starting XIs

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, A O'Brien, Shittu, Samuel, J O'Brien, Nolan, Muamba, Gardner, Davies, Helguson.

West Brom: Carson, Zuiverloon, Meite, Cech, Robinson, Morrison, Kim, Valero, Greening, Brunt, Miller.