Sunderland v Bolton preview

Relegation rivals meet on Wearside with worries for Black Cats

Last updated: 9th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Sunderland v Bolton preview

Bruce: Under pressure

PREDICTIONS:

Skysports.com prediction: 1-1

SKY BET odds: Sunderland 11/10, Draw 12/5, Bolton 5/2

One to Watch: Jack Wilshere

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After Sunderland defeated Arsenal at the beginning of winter it is likely you would have been chased out of the Stadium of Light if you suggested Bolton would arrive with the first signs of spring accompanying the dreaded R-word.

When Darren Bent earned a 1-0 win over the Gunners in November, Wearside talk of a place in Europe reached fever pitch following the positive start to the season under Steve Bruce.

But since that time the Black Cats have failed to win in a staggering 14 Premier League games and have fallen from eighth to 16th position in the table to leave the club just three points clear of the relegation places.

In contrast, after a difficult start following his January switch from Burnley, Owen Coyle appears to have his Bolton side finding results to match their new, aesthetic style

Two vitally-important wins over struggling Wolves and West Ham have lifted the Trotters to 13th spot in the league, overtaking Sunderland, and they are now five points clear of the drop zone.

To make matters worse for Sunderland boss Bruce, he has a midfield selection headache following a number of injury problems as kick-off approaches.

Recovery

Lee Cattermole, Jordan Henderson, Andy Reid and Kieran Richardson are all doubts to face Bolton.

Reid and Henderson are close to returns from hamstring and ankle problems respectively, but the Tuesday's game may come just too soon.

Richardson is struggling with a new calf injury and Cattermole has a hamstring-related issue which is proving difficult to resolve.

Mark Davies could return for Bolton, having missed the last three matches with an ankle problem.

Tamir Cohen is suspended after he was sent off against West Ham and Gary Cahill is not expected back in full training for another week as he continues his recovery following the discovery of a blood clot in his arm.

Stuart Holden, Gavin McCann, Chris Basham, Joey O'Brien and Sean Davis are also still sidelined.

Possible starting XIs:

Sunderland: Gordon, Hutton, Turner, Mensah, Ferdinand, Campbell, Cana, Malbranque, Zenden, Bent, Jones.

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Steinsson, Knight, Ricketts, Robinson, Lee, Muamba, M Davies, Wilshere, Elmander, K Davies.

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