Bolton v Portsmouth preview

Megson: Suffered back-to-back defeats

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-1

SKYBET odds: Bolton 5/4, Draw 12/5, Pompey 21/10

One to Watch: Peter Crouch

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• Portsmouth

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Bolton can move above Portsmouth in the table should they take maximum points on Saturday.

The Trotters have lost their last two Premier League fixtures, suffering back-to-back 2-0 defeats, but remain well-placed to climb into the top-half.

They have, however, lost seven of their last eight games against teams inside the top 10, while they have also failed to score in four of their last five outings at the Reebok Stadium.

Gary Megson's side have provided value for money this term, though, and have gone 10 games since they were last held to a draw.

With there never having been a stalemate between these two sides in a top-flight contest at Bolton it would appear that a result, one way or the other, will also be in the offing this weekend.

Which side is capable of taking the spoils is open to debate, as Pompey have also begun to falter of late.

Just one win from five has seen them drop off the pace in the race for Europe, while they brought their Uefa Cup campaign came to an end on Wednesday.

They have kept only one clean sheet in nine games and have won just three times on the road since claiming a 1-0 success at the Reebok in February.

Trotters unchanged

Bolton boss Megson will select from an unchanged squad heading in the crunch encounter.

Joey O'Brien and Tamir Cohen are still sidelined with thigh injuries sustained in October and will play no part.

Israeli Cohen is close to a return, but misses out once again, while Irishman O'Brien is targeting early in the New Year for a comeback.

Kaboul doubtful

Portsmouth will be without the services of Younes Kaboul as the centre-half is nursing an ankle problem.

Armand Traore is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Glen Johnson remains a doubt with a knee complaint.

Sol Campbell, David James and Jermain Defoe, Sean Davis and Niko Kranjcar, all rested in midweek by Tony Adams, are expected to be recalled.

Possible starting XIs

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Andy O'Brien, Samuel, Elmander, McCann, Nolan, Muamba, Taylor, Davies.

Portsmouth: James, Pamarot, Campbell, Distin, Belhadj, Mvuemba, Davis, Hughes, Kranjcar, Crouch, Defoe.