Bolton v Sunderland preview

Tight encounter expected at the Reebok

By Elliot Ball   Last updated: 8th May 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bolton v Sunderland preview

Cisse: Set for axe

PREDICTIONS
skysports.com prediction: Bolton 1 Sunderland 1
Skybet odds: Bolton 11/10, Draw 11/5 , Sunderland 11/4
One to watch: Andy Reid
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Sunderland travel to Bolton with boss Ricky Sbragia contemplating giving Djibril Cisse the chop.

Sbragia's side are currently four points clear of the dreaded drop-zone, but confidence is desperately low at the Stadium of Light after Sunday's 2-0 home reverse to FA Cup finalists Everton.

The Black Cats boss was particularly critical of on-loan Cisse after the Toffees loss, which extended their woeful run to six defeats from their last seven Premier League outings.

The Wearside outfit have not found the net on their travels in 508 minutes of match time playing two strikers in partnership, so Sbragia may opt to add another midfielder to his ranks, with the premise of securing a point at the former Liverpool striker's expense.

And Teemu Tainio could be the player to take the Frenchman's place following the Finland international's successful return to first-team training this week.

George McCartney has also stepped up his rehabilitation from a calf injury, but the defender is unlikely to figure this weekend, while goalkeeper Craig Gordon is due to undergo an exploratory operation on his knee on Saturday and like defender Nyron Nosworthy (hamstring), will not play again this season.

Purple patch

Bolton, however, still have the matter of ensuring their own safety and Gary Megson's side will be looking to continue an excellent run in the North East.

The Trotters, who are 12th with 39 points, are chasing a fifth successive league victory over a North East club and three points at the Reebok will complete their first double over Sunderland for 55 years in a top-flight season.

But current form does not indicate Megson's side will continue their impressive run, with their last win coming against Middlesbrough on 4th April.

Megson, who has been linked with Newcastle bad-boy Joey Barton on Friday, has Mark Davies back in training after a knee injury but he is unlikely to be match fit for Saturday's clash.

The 21-year-old has not played since being substituted in the 3-1 defeat to Fulham on 14th March and Megson doubts whether he will be ready to return against the Black Cats.

Centre-back Danny Shittu is edging closer to full fitness after a calf injury which has kept him out of the last two matches, while Ricardo Gardner could come back from a hamstring injury.

Possible starting XIs

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, A O'Brien, Samuel, Gardner, Taylor, Muamba, McCann, K Davies, Elmander.

Sunderland: Fulop, Bardsley, Ferdinand, Collins, Malbranque, Whitehead, Reid, Taino, Jones.

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