Bolton v Newcastle preview

Both sides looking to ease relegation worries

Last updated: 27th February 2009   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Bolton v Newcastle preview

Megson: Could name unchanged side

PREDICTIONS:
Skysports.com prediction: Bolton 2 Newcastle 1
Sky Bet odds: Bolton 11/10 Draw 12/5 Newcastle 12/5
One to Watch: Obafemi Martins
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Bolton and Newcastle will both be aiming to pull further clear of trouble when they do battle at the Reebok Stadium on Sunday.

Gary Megson's Trotters appear to have recovered from a poor run of form around the turn of the year, winning two of their last three games.

A 2-1 success against West Ham last Saturday lifted Bolton to 12th in the table and they are now seven points above the relegation places.

They will be looking to claim three more points at home at the end of a week which has seen Megson dismiss reports suggesting he could be replaced by Burnley boss Owen Coyle at the end of the season.

Johan Elmander and Gavin McCann both returned following injury for the clash with the Hammers and are in contention once again after coming through the match unscathed.

Joey O'Brien remains sidelined after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month so Megson could be tempted to name an unchanged starting XI.

Nolan suspended

Newcastle are just two points behind Bolton and will be eager to leapfrog their opponents to boost their own survival hopes.

The Magpies are unbeaten in three games, having beaten West Brom and drawn with Sunderland and Everton.

They had to battle hard for their goalless draw against Everton after Kevin Nolan was sent off for a sickening tackle on Victor Anichebe.

Midfielder Nolan is therefore suspended for the trip to Bolton, although Alan Smith and Obafemi Martins could both figure after returning from injury.

Joey Barton, Michael Owen, Habib Beye and Danny Guthrie are all long-term absentees.

Possible starting XIs

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Cahill, Puygrenier, Samuel, McCann, Gardner. M Davies, Taylor, Elmander, K Davies.

Newcastle: Harper, S Taylor, Coloccini, Bassong, Enrique, Gutierrez, Butt, Geremi, R Taylor, Duff, Martins.

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