Bolton v West Ham preview

Bolton ready to tackle Hammers

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Bolton 1 West Ham 1
Sky Bet odds: Bolton 11/8 Draw 12/5 West Ham 15/8
One to Watch: Kevin Davies
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• Bolton Wanderers
• West Ham United

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West Ham travel to Bolton Wanderers on Saturday targeting their first-ever victory at the Reebok Stadium.

The Hammers have not enjoyed their trips to the North West in recent years, suffering six defeats and drawing twice in their eight visits in all competitions.

Gary Megson's men have lost four of their last six on home turf, although three of those defeats were against heavyweights Manchester United, Chelsea and Liverpool.

Bolton are four points above the relegation places, but given how tightly-packed the Premier League table is this term, they are just four behind Manchester City in ninth.

Gianfranco Zola's troops have been in impressive form in recent weeks, with the 1-0 defeat by league leaders United their only reverse in their last 10 outings in all competitions.

The Hammers have also not lost on their travels since a 2-0 defeat at Manchester United back on 29th October, a run of eight matches.

Team news

Megson welcomes record signing Johan Elmander and midfielder Gavin McCann back into his plans this weekend.

Elmander is back in contention after being sidelined by a hamstring injury in recent weeks, while McCann has recovered from a broken toe.

Ricardo Vaz Te (knee) is fit to feature and January signing Mark Davies has recovered from the knee problem he sustained against Everton last time out.

Defender Nicky Hunt and midfielder Tamir Cohen are in the squad after reserve outings this week but Joey O'Brien remains on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery.

Zola is missing in-form striker Carlton Cole, midfielder Luis Boa Morte and defender Lucas Neill from his plans.

Cole is facing at least a week on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in the FA Cup draw against Middlesbrough, Boa Morte is out for a month after tearing his groin muscle and Neill is suspended.

Czech international Radoslav Kovac could make his debut after signing on loan from Spartak Moscow until the end of the season, while either Jonathan Spector or James Tomkins are in line to deputise for Neill.

Danny Gabbidon (stomach), Kieron Dyer (calf) and Dean Ashton (ankle) remain longer-term absentees.

Possible starting XIs

Bolton: Jaaskelainen; A O'Brien, Samuel, Cahill, Puygrenier, Steinsson, Taylor, Muamba, M Davies, K Davies, A Makukula.

West Ham: Green, Tomkins, Collins, Upson, Ilunga, Collison, Parker, Noble, Kovac, Di Michele, Tristan.